Saturday Adventures #3: Idyllwild

Our third Saturday adventure took us to the small town of Idyllwild in the San Jacinto National Forest south of Palm Springs. Idyllwild is a very small, artsy mountain town that we've always wanted to go to but never really made plans to. We didn't explore the town too much (although it would have taken maybe an hour to see everything), because we were excited to get out into the forest and get hiking! We stopped by the Ranger Station and asked for a hike suggestion and headed out. 

We decided on the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail . . . described as being perfect for hikers who haven't hiked (or done much of anything) for a while. Hmm. Sounds like us. :) It's a 5 mile round trip hike through beautiful forest with breathtaking mountain views, lots of native trees and plants, big rocks, and pine-needle covered paths . . .

almost like the Northwest! Of course, there were definitely differences, like the manzanita trees with mistletoe hanging from them. But overall, it felt very much like a home-turf hike. The weather even cooperated and was probably around 55 or 60 when we started. By the end of our hike, it was in the low 40s!

 
On the first leg of the hike, Jonathan did well in the pack, and enjoyed touching the rocks and seeing the birds (no lizards this time).

Daddy kept us all safe from one of the really big rocks!

There were lots of little streams to cross along the way. This one, though small, was particularly pretty. Daddy helped Jonathan reach the cold water (very cold up there . . . we hiked up to the snow!). Of course, mommy had to snap a picture.

Daddy also helped Jonathan cross bigger streams.

All of the stream crossing was worth it when we got to the top of the hike and had amazing views Suicide Rock (it towers above Idyllwild).

Of course, when we got to the top, we realized that someone who was unwilling to wear his socks and shoes instead of his sandals had freezing toes. He was miserable! Thus began our miserable descent.

The views on the way down were breathtaking. The hike back was at dusk and actually ended in the dark so we got to watch the sunset over the mountains.

The last part of the trek would have been so much more enjoyable for us had Jonathan not been so cold. Just a short way in he started crying uncontrollably. We took him out of the pack, checked to see if he needed to be changed (nope), asked if he was hungry (nope), tried to give him a drink (nope), tried to bundle him up and put him back in the pack (no way). So, for about two miles, Jonathan rode in daddy's arms with his head on his shoulder while mommy carried the pack.  It made for a long end of a beautiful hike, but at least our sweet boy's sad face turned to a sleeping face . . .

Once we were back in the car, we headed down the windy roads leading up to Idyllwild. Back on the flat land below, we stopped and grabbed some yummy In-N-Out.  Fries made everything better!

 

Then we hopped in the car and Jonathan drove us home . . . a perfect end to a beautiful day.