#Walkwithme: Snow on Running Springs

The Exploration Trail in Running Springs, CA is one of my favorite local hikes. A mere 20 minutes drive delivers me to a paradise of oak and conifer mixed woodlands studded with castle-like boulders.

It snowed recently, frosting the lumpy stones and feeding the intermittent streams.

The bottom of the trail had been trodden to slush and then refrozen slick. I am not very experienced with snow trekking, it took some extra concentration climbing into the boulder gardens.

Patterns of draining snowmelt are etched into rock by verdant moss.

Each drop forms a reflective globe, a fractal of our planet.

Heaps of boulders lay frosted like layer cakes.

Ace in the hole!

I have hiked this trail a hundred times, but I never get tired of seeing what's around the next corner.

Nature's dynamic composition zigzags down the canyon.

After a couple of sets of moderate switchbacks, we are treated to a view of distant peaks.

Miles from the haze choking the valley below....

There were animal tracks lacing the woods everywhere.

The Mountain Lion efficiently places its hind feet into the prints made by its front feet.

Deer trail is often stalked by lion prints.

Deer tracks sink deep into the powdery snow.

These smaller tracks have no claws. They could be from a bobcat.

Bird tracks mixed with mammal prints.

More bird prints, I wonder what kind?

Squirrel prints make jazz hands.

Eventually, we got to the place where previous hikers quit. Pristine white snow blanketed the trail. First, I followed the lion prints down the path of least resistance, but checked my gps and realigned. I drew a helpful arrow.

Now our path lay ahead of us unblemished by other people.

At about the 3 mile mark, it was time to stop for lunch. I sat on a neat square boulder, and shared my sandwich with Brisket while soaking up the view and the birdsong.

It is beyond peaceful up here, especially knowing that we were the only ones on this section of the trail. The deep rhythm of my breath synchronized with the whispering pines.

Baby trees give another layer to this area's name, "The Children's Forest."

I like to look through the nursery window.

The bare black oaks bend down to bow for the curtseying fir babies.

And just like that, the shadows lengthen and it is time to leave the forest and return home to San Bernardino.

It's not "goodbye", it's "see you soon".

Thank you so much for joining me on my winter walk. Here is another one of my classic amateurish videos, the longest one I think I have ever posted. Anyways, click if you want to see this scene in motion, and to hear my silly musings.

Love, Cat
@creationofcare