Gary-Summer: March 1, 2020 - Wind Wolves Preserve

Sunday, March 1, 2020

March 1, 2020 - Wind Wolves Preserve

Title: March 1, 2020 - Wind Wolves Preserve
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: The Crossing Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: San Emigdio Canyon Trail

Destination: None

Actual Destination: Went about a mile

Distance: 2.0 miles ¹

Start Time: 3:30

End Time: 4:30

Moving Time: (2.0 mph)

Elevation Rise: 342'

Descent: 342‘

Maximum Elevation: 1.859'

¹No GPS taken.. Used a re-creation from Google Earth for the items above

Description:

We were in Los Angeles last night for a concert of the DustBowl Revival-a very good concert. But we finally got back to our room around 12:30am, so it has been a slow morning getting started. I got up around 8:30 and Sherri shortly afterwards. We go to the hotel’s continental breakfast, i.e., oatmeal. Rachel calls and says she is running late.

When she arrives, we go to UCLA and walk around. Rachel has not been a frequent visitor here since her graduation. So she is interested in guiding us around and enjoying her Alma Mater’s old haunts. Afterwards, we go to a Mediterranean place called CAVA to eat. OK-not my type of food, but Rachel and Sherri enjoy it.

Entrance to Wind Wolves

Afterwards, we say goodbye to Rachel and are on our way. The trip over the Grapevine is not bad. Just a bit of rain. Nothing dangerous. When we reach I-5, we decide that we will go and see the Wind Wolves Preserve. Several of our friends have been there and reported it is a good place to go.

It is about 20 miles out of our way, but a lot closer than coming from Fresno. We pick our way through several intersections, when we finally get to the Crossing Parking Lot. Evidently this is an OK place to be as there are several cars parked here. We read the information board before setting out. We know that the gates close at 5:00pm. So I am thinking we will walk for an hour or so.

Looking down San Emigdio Canyon

Sign explaining the road

The trail we take is really a road. According to a sign we saw, this road up San Emigdio Canyon went all the way to Los Angeles. I do not think we will be walking that far today. It first dips down and crosses a little creek-but there is a foot-trail which goes over a bridge. Then we start going up the canyon. This is a gentle incline. We are definitely in the scenic-gawker mode. While I would not rae this as stunning, it is pleasant enough that we will want to come back again.

Our route is mostly void of trees. But we see trees lining the creek we are following, about 100 yards to the side. Several people are returning from their hikes, smiling. It is a popular place. There are mostly grasses. According to the reports, there can be an abundance of wildflowers depending on the time of year and conditions. This is not the time nor are the conditions right.

When we reach the one mile marker, it is time to turn around. A bit easier walking back with more places of decline. Sun is fading and then setting behind us. We stop and photograph some small flowers. While we are at ground level, some people come past and say there is some tule elk down the way. So we started walking again. Sure enough, there is a couple elk munching on the dried grass a ways up the slope. Stands to reason. They are pretty close to a trail called the Tule Elk Observation Trail. We observe and take pictures of them for about 20 minutes before moving on. Sherri’s camera is giving her fits.

As we come into the parking lot, the ranger passes us by. I think she is getting ready to skoot people out-it is closing time. Now for the big decision: is it better to go through Hanford on the way back? Or Bakersfield? Dewar’s Ice Cream wins! So off to Bakersfield we go. The Black and White Sundae is always enjoyable there. Then we get back to Fresno about 8pm. Nice, short trip. About 30 hours in all, but fun packed.