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50 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2015 It was the proverbial "Road Not Taken" for members of the Take a Hike club. Throughout our existence we have driven up and down Highway 38 to great adventures at Jenks Lake, Barton Flats and the Aspen Grove. But, it has always been on the "new" Highway 38, not the original one. California's roads underwent several re-numberings during the 20th century. It started life as a wagon trail, mostly for hauling timber and mining goods up and down the eastern portion of the San Gorgonio Mountains. As it developed into a modern highway, a curvy section between Mountain Home Creek to Angeles Oaks was straightened, leaving the older section to deteriorate over time. We started at Lock Leven Christian Camp (3866 feet) in search of cooler temperatures after two weeks of torrid October heat at Four Seasons and quickly entered a pocket of 60 degree air sinking down the mountains. The broken macadam road was a gentle slope making hiking easy and an abandoned rock house interrupted our journey for a detailed inspection and speculation of earlier life in this area. The road serpentined up a narrow canyon with flowing water. The sun being low in the horizon did not reach into the eastern shoulder and we thoroughly enjoyed the feel of autumn. The road soon narrowed into a single file path as landsides triggered by shaky ground and bygone rains sent boulders and trees onto the level ground. Left exposed were skeletons of geologic formations describing eons of volcanic eruptions, tectonic movements and ocean settlements. As we climbed the old road we crossed several bridges with cracked foundations, exposed rotting beams and missing rails. Bicycle tracks gave evidence that some vehicles could still navigate the narrow passageway. Higher up desert flora was replaced with tall pines and cedars. Near an exposed house foundation was a large briar patch of ripening raspberries that we sampled. Eventually the road became completely blocked and the expedient rocky detour seemed more appropriate for younger legs so the allure of lunch drew us downhill. We completed the days adventure at Law's restaurant in Oak Glen. The next night walk will be Dec. 21. We will meet at the Summit at 5 pm. Hikers should bring their own food, drinks and utensils for a self-potluck at the end of our night lights walk. To find out where we are hiking in 2016 call or email Lynette Simonson, Hike Central at (951) 377-0392 or lynette.simonson@ gmail.com. ~ Len Tavernetti Take a Hike Bonded We Install Crown Molding & Baseboards • Paint Cabinets Minor Repairs of Interior Drywall & Texture CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE! 909-208-6142 Lic. #423807 HIGH QUALITY • HIGH STANDARDS INTERIOR & EXTERIOR Stephen Elmore PAINTING SUN LAKES RESIDENT 10% OFF INTERIOR! "X" marks the spot of a geologic change. Lynette Simonson Chris Ingram, Bruce Heimlich, Adona Lamar and Ruth Tavernetti on the trail