44 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | AUGUST 2015
Flexibility is the hallmark of the Take a Hikers and in June
our plans adapted to potential thunderstorms in the mountains
with a lower elevation venue. We selected the Oak Glen Preserve
operated by a private concern, The Wildlands Conservancy.
They operate six conservancies within the Inland Empire and
in 2014 opened Phase 1 of this site, a 220 acre Botanic Garden.
Our group of nine debarked at Riley's Farm in Los Rios
Rancho and wandered into the gardens. Positioned alongside
the blooms and bushes are signs describing the plants and their
insect and bird friends. The trail wound through open fields of
California golden poppies and past aging farm implements of
the adjacent apple farm. The air was cool and almost alpine as
white clouds billowed over the San Gorgonio Mountains. Then
we snaked through a small clump of giant sequoias and down
to the landing on the Red Wing Pond for a group photo.
We marched single file down the oak shaded path to the
small bridge, that crossed the canyon stream and turned north
back to the farm. But, after striding up the boardwalk a few
dozen yards, this improved path abruptly ended. Back to the
bridge we cast a wary eye at the prominent sign notifying hikers
"Mountain Lion Sighted in this Area." The trail reached a fork.
As Yogi Bera advised, "When you come to a fork in the road,"
we took it. Part of the group took the look around Chaparral
Hill and the remainder dropped down into the darkness of the
Stream Trail.
Rejoining, the group took a quick snack break at Hidden
Hollow and again took different paths. The hearty ones pushed
uphill to an overlook of the Cherry Valley landscape while the
less hearty ones set out on the one marked "Caution Steep Trail."
We again reunited at the Oak Knoll Park, caught our breaths
and walked back to our chariots. Then it was down the hill to
Flo's in Cherry Valley for breakfast/lunch.
To find out where we are hiking in 2015 call or email
Lynette Simonson, Hike Central at (951) 377-0392 or lynette.
simonson@gmail.com. ~ Len Tavernetti
Take a Hike
On the trail through the garden.
A pair of Ruths.
At the pond: are: L-R: Ruth Tavernetti, Adona Lamar, Bruce
Heimlich, David Kershaw, Ruth Hsu, Gary Campanella, Jim
and Bertsy Seim.
Honoring All Paths to God
Meditation 9:30 am • Sunday Service & Youth Ministry 10 am
Rev. Carrie Masters, Minister
951-845-6328 • 802 Maple Ave., Beaumont
info@beaumontcsl.org • www.beaumontcsl.org
