Attempted Vernal Pool Trail

Tired of constant rain in the area, I decided to go on a hike nearby to Vernal Pools. I anticipated it was going to be muddy and was prepared for it wearing my hiking boots. I arrived at the trailhead and found out that to go on the trail cost $4. I did not think I would need any cash, so I did not brought any. Luckily, a couple behind me offered to pay. What a nice gesture!

I was excited to see the pools as I read multiple reviews prior to coming on this hike stating that the pools are really full at this time of the year after so much rain.

What I did not anticipate was insects... Hundreds, no, thousands of mosquito-looking insects swarming everywhere near a body of water. I don't think I have seen so many insects in the same place at the same time. Hurriedly, I walked toward the main pool, about a mile from the start of the trail. Insects were unavoidable at that point. I was determined to walk on the little bridges, so I almost ran towards the Vernal Pool.

As enjoyable as it could have been, it was not. I quickly took my pictures and videos and headed to the main trail. As it turned out the trail was partially closed, so I headed back to the nearest fork where I could potentially give another trail a shot.

Transpreserve Trail was right near the beginning of the trail. I did not seem buggy and appeared relatively dry. Not for long though. Because of the rain the day before, the ground was really soaked. It was so muddy that at some point I decided it was not meant to be a good day for a hike and turned around. The views I captured were really nice. You could have sat under a tree enjoying the peace and quiet of nature, but nature also includes insects, and they were everywhere.

I think I will come back here, this time with cash, headnet and probably when it is dry for at least a few weeks...

Lake Elsinore, Dana Point and Laguna Beach - Brief Trip

A few weeks ago I finally decided to go to the beach, even if for a little while. This would be the first time since I moved to Inland Empire that I managed to get out. My first stop was on the side of the road to take a few pictures of Lake Elsinore and enjoy the views.

Incredible views just in your own backyard!

The drive over the mountains on twisty roads was a bit long, and as I reached the 1000 Steps Beach and parked on the side of the road, I was a bit sleepy. The hike down the steep staircase woke me up a bit. Narrow stairs demanded focus and careful positioning of the feet.

The view that opened up at the bottom of the staircase was worth it.

It was a bit crowded right at the bottom of the stairs, but if you walk a bit further, people were only randomly seen. Since I didn't plan to stop for a long time, I spent 15 minutes enjoying the sound of the ocean and went back up. The walk upstairs was a bit more challenging than downstairs, and a bit out of breath, I was heading to Heisler Park.

Parking by Heisler Park was a bit of a challenge, and once I found a spot, $2.50 was an hourly parking rate right next to the park. The park was absolutely worth it. So well taken care of, Heisler is a piece of art merged with the natural beauty of the beach. Walkways through carefully planted palm trees and tropic vegetation with occasional signs to relax and enjoy the moment were truly inspiring.

I wanted to get gelato and found an amazing shop just in a small alley of Laguna Beach. Gelato Paradiso turned out to be a hidden gem. For $5 with Yelp check-in, I enjoyed 3 scoops of different flavors of gelato in a delicious waffle cone. This was even better than some gelato I tried in Italy a few months ago!

On the way back, I stopped at a local thrift shop, but disappointingly did not find anything I liked. Driving home I took the toll road 73 and did not realize that it was a toll road until the entrance sign. Still hoping that I won't get a ticket in the mail :(

Wildflower Season in California

Last year I went to see spring wildflowers. It was April. Living in Southern California offers this luxury earlier than that. After a series of showers, the ground is finally getting satisfied with the amount of water, and with that wildflowers are starting to bloom everywhere!

Only 10 minutes from my apartment, there is a lightly trafficked trail up and through the mountains, but right now hundreds of people stop by to photograph the beauty of spring poppies. Walker Canyon Road Loop is accessible straight from the access road parallel to I-15 - what a convenient location! As I was driving to buy groceries today, I decided that on the way back I will stop and at least glance at the flowers. I ended up hiking about two miles. 

The weather was humid and rather warm, the sun was slightly peeking through the dense cloud cover, it was going to rain later that night. In the meantime, I took a couple of pictures promising myself to come back and complete the loop when the temperatures drop.

Sitton Peak Hike

Only a short distance from my new apartment are mountains... In fact, they are so close that hiking becomes easy to access. 23 minutes drive and you are there!

Sitton Peak seems to be relatively popular. About 10 miles in distance, the trail offers a nice climb and the view of the ocean if the day is clear. I envy birds who can fly over the mountains and see the views I only get to access through blood (well, not so much) and sweat (that's for sure!).

I started the hike as part of the group at 7 AM. Parking is right across the trailhead, and gets filled up pretty quickly. The majority of the hike is a slow uphill with significant elevation gain at the last 0.5 miles. There I ended up going much slower to make sure I was safe, nothing I have not done before, that's for sure!

Some of the trail is covered, some exposed, but I certainly would not want to hike it during the hot summer months in the middle of the day. I guess that applies to many hikes in the summer in Southern California. The views don't unfold right away, you have to hike a little while to "earn" them.

The closer I got to the peak, the wider angle of beauty I got.

As with many good things, they are disturbed by people. At the very top there was really not that much space, so to take a photo by the sign was a waste of my time. I took a few videos of the views and headed down.

Let's say getting down is just as fun as coming up :)

Five hours round trip and by 12.07 PM I was home. Beauty of living near hiking trails!

Skyline Drive Trail in Corona, CA

Finally I am nearby beautiful hikes. My first hike of the year is Skyline Drive Trail in Corona, CA. With nice skies above, I wanted to get out and destress after a move to my new place. What could be better than a 12 mile hike?

The views opened up pretty quickly as elevation continued to increase. In the beginning, there were quite a few people starting the hike the same time as I did, but close to the third mile uphill, it was just me and the nature.

The final point of the hike was Doppler radar, it seemed so far away, but I managed to get all the way up there. It was huge!

Pictures don't do justice to this hike, so I am going to try to capture it all in the video.

Table Mountain Hike

This hike completes my list of hikes to do in Fresno. Time to go...

I visited McKenzie Table Mountain Preserve back in April of 2017 during the Open Preserve Day. I went on a docent-led Discovery hike then, and did not end up going to the top of Table Mountain. I knew I had to do it before my departure. Luckily, one of the Meetup groups was going there, so I decided to join them.

The hike was scheduled at 9 AM, and parking was free outside the gate since we took Wellbarn Road Trail instead of going through McKenzie Table Mountain Preserve. The weather was rather cool, a bit foggy with moderate air quality - not too bad. The hike started out relatively flat, but very quickly we were going downhill.

Not to worry, the uphill was coming since we were going all the way to the top. I wore at least five layers, so I knew I could easily undress a few if I got hot. It was 45 degrees Fahrenheit as the ascend began, and soon enough I took my first layer off. I paced myself so that I would not need to take off more layers (yes, I am lazy to stop). The uphill was steep, but not very long, only a mile or so.

As we reached the top, we spent some time walking the perimeter of the Table Mountain, taking pictures and videos, chatting with cows and finally stopping at a small picnic area for a short lunch. I had my Kind bar since I was not very hungry (all this food over holidays and lazy days lounging on the couch just don't do any good and make you plump). Shortly after, we got up and headed back.

The way back was rather peaceful and warm, although the air quality continued to deteriorate. The hike took about 4.5 hrs with multiple stops and breaks, 8 miles and about 1,600 ft elevation gain. After several months of no hiking I consider this a success.

Hart Tree, Fallen Goliath, Redwood Creek Loop Trail in Kings Canyon National Park

Hart Tree, Fallen Goliath, Redwood Creek Loop Trail (heck, this is a long name for a trail!) is located in Kings Canyon National Park, only 4 miles from the entrance. The last 2 miles of driving happens on a gravel road that becomes inaccessible to low clearance cars in the winter and probably early spring as well. In fact, the description of the trail on AllTrails says that even high clearance vehicles must have 4x4 and chains on tires. I can see why... Even when it was dry, the road has multiple switchbacks with change of elevation and twists and turns. In my Civic, I was doing at best 10 miles per hour. Bumpy ride!

I am surprised how many people in the reviews on Hikespeak did not think this trail was good. I can see how it could be buggy in the summer, but in the beginning of November it is perfect! The trail is almost completely shaded. While there are only a few overlook spots, the entire hike you are surrounded by sequoia trees. In the fall, the leaves change colors, and it's absolutely beautiful. Not very strenuous and has a few streams and a little waterfall.

The group I hikes with was relatively slow this time, so the last part of the hike I decided to finish by myself keeping a steady pace uphill.