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There are days when Mother Nature can rightfully brag about her earthly endeavors. Oct. 8 was one of them in the San Gorgonio Mountains. At 7,000 feet, it was a crisp cool morning under clear blue skies for the Hearty Hikers monthly adventure. Our goal was to visit the elusive Aspen Grove, quaking in golden bling as it annually marks the start of fall. This small family of high altitude trees somehow immigrated to an arboreal doughnut hole surrounded by tall evergreens. The first storm of the season always strips the trees of their leaves, so catching the show is always chancy. At first the still air placed the leaves at attention as if posing for the cameras. Later they began their shimmering and falling like undergoing an earthquake drill and living up to their reputation as the greatest show on the mountain. The trip involved driving several miles of a rapidly deteriorating dirt road off State Highway 38 and then walking a half mile on a narrow path to the headwaters of the Santa Ana River. Here we congregated at the only photo op site, with the Aspens as a backdrop. The small burbling stream was forded by rock hopping, and then we wandered a well-worn path parallel to the stream that gradually climbed toward the mountain top. Tall incense cedars and several varieties of pines (Coulter, Limber, Lodge Pole, Jeffery, Ponderosa and Sugar) shaded the path and occasional puffy clouds made the ever changing lighting in the forest come alive. The yellow leaves of the black cottonwoods and willows interrupted the maze of green foliage as we followed the rock strewn path to a small glen for a snack break. Then, ever mindful of a lunch reservation at the Oaks, we reversed our course and started the 1.5 mile hike back to our vehicles. To find out where else we are hiking, call or email Lynette at (951) 377-0392 or lynette.simonson@gmail.com. ~ Leonard Tavernetti 44 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2014 | SpORTS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Hearty Hikers 3rd Generation Painter Contracting For Over 30 Years Minor Repairs: Exterior Wood & Stucco, Interior Drywall, Wood Trim thank you in advance for the opportunity to give you a free estimate! 909-208-6142 Lic. #423807 Bonded hiGh QuAlity hiGh stAnDArDs intErior & ExtErior FouR sEasons WintER spEcial 10% oFF intERioR paintinG ! Offer good with ad until Jan. 1, 2015 In November we changed to our winter hours. We are meeting on Tuesday at 9:30 am and Wednesday at 3 pm. For those of you that have never played, please join us. Skill is not a prerequisite, and it is a lot of fun. If you have questions please contact Bob Cooper at (951) 769-6352 or Mike Saperstein at (951) 769-7909. ~ Bob Cooper 4x4 Seasons Top Left: Four Season's Wallendas mount the high log for river crossing. Left: Hearty Hikers at the Willow Glen contemplate turning around and heading for The Oaks. Above: David Kershaw, Ruth Tavernetti, Lana Gredemann, Lynette Simonson, Robert Gredemann, Nellie Castilloveitia, Beverly Webster, Denise Featherstone, Geoff Wilson, Mary Baer, Walt Webster and Len Tavernetti at the Aspen Grove.

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