Winter Interlude: Somewhere near Whitewater

December 27, 2022

Winter Interlude: Somewhere near Whitewater

It began as a sandy wash a few feet above the more expansive wash of the Whitewater River, but it wasn't long before it morphed, rocky hillsides closing in on two sides, creating a narrow canyon. We had looked down into this canyon from the higher ridge trail in past years, admiring a band of yellow winding through twists and turns. The yellow was there again this year in the leaves of cottonwoods and willows, and we wound a path through them. Somewhat surprisingly the yellow was punctuated here and there by curious deep maroon colored sycamore leaves. A stream trickled through the narrows, its surface reflecting a dark sky in small patches where the lazy current could clear the, otherwise, thick covering of sun-spotted heart-shaped leaves.

Outside this narrow space, the air whipped up a frenzy as it raced down from the peak of San Gorgonio, but in the enclosure of trees it was still and quiet. Even birds seemed to be settled in, awaiting the coming storm.

"...known as a hero to all that he knew,

long live the legend of Finn MacCumhail

The brave Celtic leader of the chosen few,

Long live the legend of Finn MacCumhail..."

(Barr, Kelly, Casey)

We chose the Whitewater Preserve for this days' winter interlude, because the views this time of year are amazing. This was to be Finn's first hike so I didn't want to do the steeper ridge trail, intending instead to stay down along the Whitewater River trail out to Red Dome (or so). But...

When we arrived, the gate had its big "closed" sign showing (for the third consecutive year, by the way - is the place every "officially" open, I began to wonder), but there were a whole lot of cars in the parking lot. Stepping over the gate we were almost immediately confronted and read the riot act about potential flash flooding. I got the impression that if we had said screw that we're going anyway, the voice of authority would not have stopped us, but we'll never know now.

And so we turned around, headed back to that other trailhead, and promptly ignored it, choosing to wander up, and explore, this narrow defile still bathed in autumn color. It was the better option. Winter is a great time to get out and adventure in southern California; be prepared for what could come your way, but don't be dissuaded by getting out to see what you can find.