Outdoor Fun in the Summer
Summer is finally officially here, and many of take long trips for outdoor fun. If you’re tired of doing all of that driving, there is a lot that you can do outdoors within 35 miles of Crestline. The following are some of our favorites. We have found several good hikes and swims in the area for families with children. A lot of us in Crestline know the Heart Rock hike that goes from Camp Seeley in the Valley of Enchantment to a pretty waterfall and pool below. But did you know that there is another nice family hike just across Highway 138 from there. About 200 yards before you get to Camp Seeley coming from Crestline there is a turnout on the left. Park there, and then walk across the highway to a deliberate break in the fence. Follow the small path that leads to an old fire road up to the left and then just keep going up. The road winds through many different types of areas including oak woodlands, fern fields, grassy meadows and pine forests. You’ll see lots of wildlife, especially if you can keep the kids quiet enough and go early in the morning. In about two miles, the old fire road connects to Old Mill Road. Just retrace your steps from there. This hike also includes some good views of the highest heights of the San Gabriel Mountains. For those who like swimming in cold mountain water, there is always Deep Creek, which can be accessed from below Cedar Glen, but some of the pools are not clean and there are often crowds along the way. We found a better place, with less people, more sun and scores of cold pools for wading, submerging and just sitting in. Just drive down the 18, then go east on the Highway 30 until you get to San Bernardino Avenue. When you exit, go through the light at the end of the ramp to the next road. That will be Highway 38. Go left, and stay straight on it through Redlands and Mentone. Shortly after you leave Mentone, you will see the Mill Creek Ranger station on the right. Go past the station a little less than three miles and you’ll see a sign that says “Picnicking.” Park in the parking lot. In the middle of the lot near an interpretive sign is a trail. Take that trail straight ahead. For about 150 yards there are streamside forests. Don’t swim there because it is a fragile ecosystem and the home of an endangered toad. When you pass a group of large rocks, you’ll see Mill Creek and its cold, inviting pools. There are many wide pools up and down the creek to choose from, some of which are deep enough for adults to sit in up to their necks. As long as you keep a good eye on the kids, this is also a great place for them; ours had a blast. I recommend going about 100 yards downstream from where you first walk around the rocks. There I found a “Jacuzzi” where a small waterfall causes strong jets of water in a rock-enclosed pool. Don’t expect this Jacuzzi to be warm, though. The shady picnic area near the parking lot includes tables and barbeques. If you’re a birdwatcher, you’ll be happy to know that more than 250 species of migratory birds spend some part of their travels in this wooded area. Another fun and easy hike is to the Champion Lodgepole Pine Trail near Big Bear. This hike goes out to a beautiful meadow that used to be a small lake. At the edge of this meadow is the world’s largest lodgepole pine. To get to the trailhead, find Mill Creek Road, which intersects Highway 18 across the street from Bear Valley Bikes on the south side of Big Bear Lake. Continue up Mill Creek Rd (2N10), which turns to dirt after one mile. (4 x 4 is recommended but we have seen cars there). After four and a half miles you will take a right on 2N11 and continue one mile to the Champion Lodgepole Trailhead parking lot on the right side of the road. This is a self-guided one-mile trip with many interesting nature stations. While the Champion Lodgepole is very impressive, an equally grand sight is a 400-year-old Jeffrey pine that in size rivals many of the great redwoods we have seen in Sequoia National Park. Just a note: we recommend not straying from the path. My 10-year-old daughter wanted to check out a small lake at the YMCA camp nearby and nearly stepped on a five-foot timber rattler that was sunning himself on the shore. Closer to home, we also recommend Tunnel Ridge above the Lake Arrowhead Country Club. This easy one-mile hike has a spectacular view down the east fork of the Mojave River and Miller Canyon and across to the peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains. Glimpses of Lake Silverwood can be seen at the bottom of Miller Canyon. To get there, take Lake Gregory Drive toward Highway 18. Immediately before the 18, turn left on Highway 189 toward Twin Peaks. Go through Twin Peaks and at Five Points, turn left on Grass Valley Road. Go about a half-mile and turn left on Country Club, then take the first right at Fairway. After another half mile, turn right on Brentwood. Follow Brentwood about three-quarters of a mile and take a left on Sonoma. Just 100 yards up the road is a small dirt road (2N34A). Follow this up to the top of the hill (4X4 is recommended, but we have seen cars up there) and park in the turnout with the big tree in it. You’ll see the cut in the fence where the trail starts just ahead in the turnout. Just follow the trail until it ends about three-quarters of a mile up in a patch of manzanita and rocks. Take a lunch and binoculars, because it’s one of the best views you’ll ever see. |
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