Category Archives: Hiking

Hiking

Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area

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This morning, Dylan and I and a couple ladies from our Wednesday night Genesis class visited Devil’s Punchbowl near Pearblossom. We hiked down into the canyon, talked about earthquake and flood geology, and read Psalm 18 together. The creek and small waterfall were still running strong and added the peaceful sound of rushing water as we made our way through the canyon. Sorry to those of you who wanted to go but weren’t able to join us this weekend. Maybe we can do another hike sometime!

A friendly park ranger was there to greet us and point out the Punchbowl Fault to our south. He also gave us a trail guide with hiking path and geology information.
At the start of the trail, there’s an optional side trail called the Piñon pathway near this outcropping
Abby and I scouted out the area back in March. It was a much cooler day, and there was still fresh snow on the mountains!
Once in the canyon, you get a sense of how tall these formations are. The rock here is sandstone — sedimentary rock that settled horizontally, then was later squeezed and pushed up hundreds of feet by earthquakes. Evolutionists date these rocks to 13 million years ago. Another explanation that better fits the Bible is that a global flood in Noah’s time laid down thousands of layers of sediment very rapidly, giving the vast appearance of age.
Lots of flowers were in bloom, including this lupine.
We ended the morning with lunch at a nice shady picnic spot.

The name may sound ominous, but Devil’s Punchbowl is an area people of all ages and abilities will enjoy. The loop through the canyon is just over a mile long. It’s fairly easy and rewarding, but does have some slippery spots and a moderate change in elevation. For more ambitious hikers, there’s a 7 mile hike to Devil’s Chair, where I hear you get majestic views of the entire area and a closer look at the Punchbowl Fault.

“I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:1-3)

Hiking

Highland Natural Parkland Trail

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Today I had a chance to explore the natural parkland area at the end of Base Line Rd in the City of Highland. Skies were overcast, weather was a pleasant 60 degrees, and flowers were in bloom everywhere. This is definitely the crowned jewel of trails in the immediate Highland/San Bernardino area. Here are some photos from today’s hike.

The Highland Natural Parkland trail runs along the base of the San Bernardino Mountains. Rolling hills and canyons are on north side, while neighborhood views of East Highland and beyond are on the to south.
Interpretive signs provide historical photos and interesting background, but are in various states of disrepair. This is one of the better condition signs.
A nice bench awaits partway up the trail. I sat for a few minutes to relax and pray.
To stay on the main trail loop, go right at the fork. The trail to the left will follow the ridge and take you further up into the hills and mountains. At times it can be steep and slippery, but it does reward you with a beautiful view.
I took the trail to the left for 20 or 30 minutes and was treated to a spectacular view. The elevation gain was about 300 feet before I turned around and worked my way back down to the main trail.
A yucca plant just about ready to bloom
The hills were covered in greens, yellows, purples, and blues. Springtime — and this year’s superbloom — make this trail extra special.
Nothing like an afternoon hike to be refreshed and recharged. Hope you can visit this trail some time for yourself. Thanks for reading!

Hiking

Shelton Trail

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I went out to get the mail this afternoon and thought, “It’s way too nice to stay cooped up inside all day long!” So I put on a jacket, called Hazel, and headed to one of our local trails. Now that we’re getting more settled into our home and ministry in Highland, I hope to get back outdoors more for hikes and walks. And what better way to end the year than with a short hike? Shelton Trail is little more than a ridge line trail behind the neighborhood of East Highland. But even here, just outside the city, you get fresh air, sunshine, and pretty views. Hazel and I had a great time!

Shelton Train is an out-and-back trail that can be accessed from two different streets in Highland. It is also part of a larger 5 mile trail into the foothills called the Mitten Loop.
It was mostly natural chaparral along this trail, but there were some cultivated trees and irrigation including these orange-red berries. Anyone know what these are?
Most of the plants are dormant right now. But grasses are staring to pop up and this brittlebrush showed an early sprig of new growth.
At the lowest point in the canyon near a water tower was a somewhat denser, marshy area.
Can you spot the cottontail? He stayed hunched and perfectly still until we were a safe distance away.
One bench stands perched along this hike. The perfect place to rest your feet or enjoy a sunset.
Hiking

Johnny Lang Canyon

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Today I hiked up Johnny Lang Canyon in Joshua Tree National Park. The trail is shared with the Quail Springs Trail for two miles, then veers south to enter a more rugged and remote area of the park. I hardly saw a soul the entire hike, so there was plenty of peace and quiet to enjoy.

Joshua Trees fascinate me. Even dead ones. This log has been completely stripped of its outer bark, leaving a smooth, velvety appearance.
The Joshua Tree or “yucca brevifolia” is technically not a tree at all, but a member of the Agave family. This fallen log shows the fibrous, pulpy, interior of the tree.
At the 2.0 mile mark, you can keep right to continue on the Quail Springs Historic Trail, or veer to the left to head up Johnny Lang Canyon. The side trail is easy to miss. Can you spot it in this picture?
You know you’re getting close to the turnoff when you see a reddish looking hill about .2 miles ahead.
A mile up the canyon, you’ll come to Johnny Lang’s cabin. All that remains today are a pile of foundation stones, a few boards, and some scrap metal.
A pile of cans pay homage to the old prospector.
Some old rusty metal. My wife suggested these might be bands from an old water barrel. What do you think?
Further up the canyon is the Johnny Lang Mine. Maybe I’ll come back another time and venture all the way to the top.
Not a lot of wildlife out today, other than a couple lizards and a ground squirrel. But I did meet this friendly dragonfly on my way back to the car.

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the hidden gems of California, unrivaled for its wide open spaces, starry nights, and interesting rock formations. If you’re planning a trip, I recommend the Falcon Guide – Hiking Joshua Tree National Park: 38 Day and Overnight Hikes.

Hiking

Yucca Ridge Trail

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The Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is a paradise for outdoor lovers and bird watchers. The Marsh Trail is a wooden boardwalk that is fully handicap accessible, and all the other trails are well marked and of easy to moderate difficulty.

You can click here to see the trail map or pick one up at the front kiosk and learn about recent bird sightings. Do watch out for snakes — especially in warmer months.

The Yucca Ridge Trail is on the eastern edge of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in Morongo Valley. If you’ve never been to the preserve, you’ll be shocked by its lush, marshy feel right smack in the middle of a desert. Today, I spotted birds, butterflies, lizards, and even a shy bobcat. It just goes to show that even in the dead of winter, there’s life in the desert.

There are several trail options that overlap and intersect. The trails are all marked clearly and have various length and difficulty. Choose your own adventure!
The Yucca Ridge Trail is accessible from the Desert Willow Trail, which travels through a broad wash. This creosote flaunts its tiny evergreen leaves while other trees and shrubs go dormant.
At .4 mile, there is a fork in the trail. Stay left to take this ascent to the Yucca Ridge Trail.
Nice spot to pause for rest and a drink of water. Down below is the Morongo Preserve and the little town of Morongo Valley. Off to the right, you can barely see the snow capped peak of Mt. San Gorgonio.
Though it’s still early January, grass is already appearing. The ridge trail features a hillside damaged from an old wildfire, but many signs that life is returning.
Looking south, you can see down the West Canyon Trail. I took this trail about .75 mile, then turned around and headed back to the parking lot. It was in this beautiful, densely overgrown area that I spotted a bobcat, bluebirds, and butterflies.
This exposed gneiss rock has beautiful swirl lines and will be of special interest to geologists. The preserve website says this is over a billion years old and one of the oldest exposed rock formations in California. On the other hand, there is a perfectly good young-earth explanation for this, which you can read more about here: https://answersingenesis.org/geology/geologic-time-scale/rapid-rocks
Cattails in the desert?!
Painted lady butterfly
A Northern Flicker was foraging in the leaves, then flew a short distance to show off his speckled breast and red brows and mustache.

I passed a number of friendly bird watchers who all wanted to find out what I had seen, and to share their own stories. One couple on the Canyon Trail said they spotted seven bighorn sheep down the canyon a few months ago. This truly is a remarkable place!