Allen Riedel - Best Easy Day Hikes San Bernardino

Best Easy Day Hikes Series

Best Easy Day Hikes San Bernardino

Allen Riedel

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ISBN: 978-1-4930-0551-2

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Contents

The Hikes

Acknowledgments

I would like to first and foremost thank all the people who have spent time hiking with me in the mountains, deserts, hills, forests, jungles, and coastal beaches. Many of you, my friends, have inspired me in countless ways, and I cant thank you enough. I would like to mention some of you by name: Monique Riedel, Sean Coolican, Adam Mendelsohn, Cameron Alston, Bill Buck, Matt Piazza, Bruno Lucidarme, Chrissy Ziburski, Eric Walther, Bob Romano, Michael Millenheft III, Sierra Riedel, Makaila Riedel, Jim Zuber, Danny Suarez, Dylan Riedel, Eric Romero, Donn DeBaun, Alex and Dawn Wilson, Jane Weal, and Dylan Riedel.

I would also like to acknowledge my family: Monique, Michael, Sierra, and Makaila. All four of you have spent lots of time with me on trails that were great and some not so much... I love you with all my heart.

I also owe a lot to my mom and dad, Barbara and Elmer Riedel, who raised me to believe in myself. Thanks! Thanks to my brother, Larry; my grandparents, Herbert and Vivian Ward; Lucille Riedel; and my in-laws, Anna and Richard Chavez. I am a better person because of all of you.

I am also grateful for the opportunities that I have been granted by writing for the most amazing Web site: www.localhikes.com. Jim Zuber has been my biggest resource into the writing world, and I can never thank him enough for the awesome site and the amount of work he has sent my way. You rule, Jim!

I would like to thank Dave Ammenheuser and Patricia Mays at the Press Enterprise who have been great editors and incredible to work for.

Thanks to Scott Adams and the wonderful people at The Globe Pequot Press. And thanks to my other publisher, The Mountaineers Books; Ashley, Kate, Carol, and everyone there have always been spectacular.

I would also like to thank Scott Ammons and all the wonderful people at REI. It has been great getting started as an Outdoor School instructor.

Lastly I would like to thank all the students and teachers I have worked with over the past ten years. It has been great knowing all of you.

Introduction

This guide presents twenty easy day hikes situated in and around San Bernardino County, California. Located in a variety of settings ranging from local and state parks to national forests, these are the best short hikes in the region. They cover a vast range of scenery, historical interest, and natural beauty.

Some of the best hiking in Southern California exists within a thirty- to ninety-minute drive from the city of San Bernardino proper. This guide is intended to be a sampling of the region that introduces families, beginning hikers, and those with only a short amount of time or energy to the incredible wonders that the area has to offer.

Unknown to many outside the region, San Bernardino County contains a great deal of austere and captivating pastoral beautyfrom the desert expanses of the Mojave to the lush forests of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Ranges. Numerous nature preserves, reserves, and specially designated parks protect valuable ecosystems and wildlife.

San Bernardino County is the twelfth most populous county in the United States. With a total populace of more than two million, it surpasses sixteen states, all five U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. In total area the county ranks number one in the United Stateslarger than the nine smallest states. This massive region is ripe for exploration.

Hiking is a popular activity in the region, especially in the early morning and evening during summertime and throughout the day during the rest of the year. Depending on the location, summer days can be pleasant at higher elevationsand absolutely desiccating in lower climes. Many summer hikers hit the trail in the early morning and evening to avoid the heat.

Flora and Fauna

Typically Southern Californian, the San Bernardino region is an arid desert ecosystem, ringed by the mountains uplifted from the tectonic forces of the San Andreas Fault. Semiarid seasonal creekside habitats and riparian canyons dot the landscape and are inhabited by varied species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

The regions floramostly desert chaparralcan be magnificent in color, especially during certain times of the year and after a significant rainfall. Oak and pine forests grow into the higher elevations. More than forty-nine endangered species inhabit the county, including the majestic desert bighorn sheep.

Mammals abound in the mountainous regions, with black bears and mule deer inhabiting the higher reaches. Mountain lions and coyotes prowl throughout most of the county. These predators dont really present much of a danger, and their habitat is not as threatened here as in other areas of Southern California. Smaller creatures, including possums and rodents such as squirrels, skunks, mice, and the endangered kangaroo rat, inhabit the lower desert regions.

There are several large bodies of water in the region. The Salton Sea serves as a major stopping point along the Pacific Flyway, making San Bernardino a spectacular place for bird watching. The regions mostly man-made lakes offer both sanctuary and fishing, and more than 400 species of birds can be spotted throughout the year.