Winter Interlude: Sun Showers at the Whitewater Preserve

December 28, 2020

Winter Interlude: Sun Showers at the Whitewater Preserve

It was raining after all, had been doing so for several hours overnight, and was expected to continue doing so throughout the day. Perhaps this was a good day to stay home, putter around, get the bikes ready for the annual end of year ride at Point Mugu?

Not on your life!

I had been counting on this little adventure for the winter break for some time and I sure wasn't going to let a little rain get in the way. So I stowed away the cycling shoes, laced up the hiking boots, packed a lunch and headed out the door. Rain lashed down its fury at our insolence all the way out past Calimesa, or Beaumont. After that, though, the veil thinned to reveal thick snow covering the nearby mountains. Later, at the end of our hike, the ranger would tell us our timing was perfect, taking advantage of that magic window between the storms' first wave and the approaching second wave.

Closed signs all over the place had us a bit concerned, but we parked the truck where a few other people had parked anyway. A family (mother and three kids) from our neighboring burg of La Verne were there as well; they had never been there before and weren't sure where to go, we had never been there before and weren't sure where to go, and kind of mutually decided the best thing to do was poke around in the wash a bit. Fortunately another couple guys finishing up their hike pointed out there was a trailhead a hundred yards back down the road, the start of a nice 3.5 mile loop up the hills and down a nearby canyon, with great views of the river valley, and distant peaks, including Mt San Jacinto and Mt San Gorgonio. With that, our two parties got ready and headed up the trail, together yet apart, per Covid precautions.

The Whitewater Preserve is a 2,851 acre wildland preserve owned and managed by the Wildlands Conservancy. The Whitewater River flows through the center of the property, which includes the surrounding hills and small canyons, an abundant riparian habitat for local and migratory wildlife. The few hours we spent there far exceeded our expectations (it might very well have been worth the drive just for the amazing rainbow), and will certainly require another visit.

Know before you go: The preserve has a visitor center and parking lot, but both were closed - I assumed this was due to Covid, but later I checked their website where there was a notice stating closure due to flash flood danger, something I did not notice in the morning. Check before you go. Regardless, the loop trail is open (the PCT passes through the Preserve), and hikers on it are welcome to pass through the visitor center grounds - you just can't park there, nor are any of the facilities available for use (ie. no restrooms).