Tag: travel blog

Mill Peak and Exploration Trail

@serafinahikes

There are a few peaks in the area around Lake Arrowhead, and one of these, Mill Peak, sits at 6657 feet, towering over San Bernardino below. It is located between the small mountain enclaves of Arrowbear Lake and Running Springs. After driving up SR-330, past fire charred hillsides, I eventually made a turn onto Hilltop Blvd. I would park at the trailhead for both Mill Peak and Exploration Trail, located just past the Deer Lick Fire Station, along Keller Peak Rd. I started hiking rather late, around 11 am.

Buck Gully in December

@serafinahikes

It was a cool late afternoon in December as I headed over to the Buck Gully Trail in Corona Del Mar.As I trodded along listening to the sound of the peaceful creek which flows alongside the trail, I felt like I was walking within a zen retreat of some sort. There was a very gradual amount of gain along the way on this hike. My hike today was only about 4 miles to the signage by the powerpole, and back, although there is an extension that continues onto San Joaquin Hills Road, which I did not explore. I would also consider this a wonderful easy hike if you're just starting to get into hiking and don't want something that's too technical or long. 

November Hiking Recap

@serafinahikes

For everything there is a season, especially hiking. When I think about hiking in November, several things come to mind. This is a time of year when the seasons change hands, when the temperatures finally start to cool and the first rain of the season may occur. Nights may dip into the low 50’s and morning dew covers the grass in the morning. I love hiking during this time of the year, watching the leaves begin to turn golden. I managed to get in 22 hikes in November, and hike to 4 peaks. So as far as hiking goes, November delivered!

Stonewall Peak and Cuyamaca Rancho in Fall

@serafinahikes

So this would be my second hike in this beautiful historic wilderness park, and former rancho, with habitation dating back over 9,000 years. It was the home of the Kumeyaay tribe, and seven villages were located here. It would be my second time hiking here. I was coming on a busy weekend in fall. I drove up Hwy-79 and parked at Trout Pond trailhead, not noticing any indication of a need to display a parking pass here. There were about 5 cars parked here, and across the road. I exited my car and was just in awe of the fall colors. It had been unknown to me in planning this hike that the fall colors would be at their peak. I began hiking along the Marty Minshall Trail, heading towards the forest, which was glowing in shades of bright yellow.

2 Peaks in a Day: Mount Lewis and Mount Williamson

@serafinahikes

I knew this trip to SR-2, may very well be my last this season, and the road past Mt Baden Powell, may very well be closed again. I was headed for Mt Williamson, and potentially was going to extend the hike along Pleasant View Ridge on to Pallet Mountain. That would make it a 10 mile day. But another option lingered in my mind, to check out some of the shorter hikes along SR-2 I had skipped over, such as Mount Lewis. It was my second time driving past Wrightwood, along SR-2 since the fires a year ago. I had been up this way in July, to hike to Mount Baden Powell. At that time, the road was still closed beyond Vincent Gap, but no longer. I could now drive the entire length of SR-2 if I so desired, well past Mount Islip, and onward further.