About an hour and a half northwest of the giant megaopolis of the Los Angeles area sits the city of San Bernardino, California. North of San Bernardino another 30-45 minutes up Highway 18 sits the San Bernardino National Forest. Within the forest in the small town of Running Springs is the Children's Forest Visitor Center, a national forest visitor center run and staffed by...children!
I arrived at the visitor center after traversing up Highway 18s countless switchback roads until I reached an elevation of around 6000 or so feet. I met some members of The San Bernardino National Forest Association and some members of the Children's Forest volunteer staff. I was impressed with the center by their interpretive displays and many programs they have to offer the public.
After a brief tour of the visitor center, we headed over to the Explorer Trail trailhead for the $1,000 grant presentation. The Explorer Trail is about a kilometer from the visitor center and was designed by the children who volunteer at the center. Although I didn't get the chance to hike or mountain bike the entire 4.7 miles of the trail, I did 'cheat' and drive the Prius up to the top of the trailhead to scope out the views.
Before I headed over the trailhead on top of the mountain, I went up another 500 or so feet and visited the volunteer staffed fire lookout station to admire the views. The volunteers who work at this station have some of the best office space around. Two hummingbird feeders keep the birds busy while you can take in views in all directions for miles and miles.
I headed back down the mountain a bit and went on a brief hike on the Explorer Trail where, about 200 yards into my hike, I was startled by a catlike creature on the trail. I only was able to see the backside of the little guy as he or she scampered into the brush. I was already spooked from the "Beware of Mountain Lion" signs and a recent episode of Six Feet Under where a man gets attacked by a mountain lion so every time I heard a rustle in the brush my heart skipped a beat. It's very possible that my little buddy was a mountan lion or a bobcat but I'm unclear what it was. I'll have to check in with the folks at the volunteer center later on!
I continued my hike and took in some wonderful views along with interpretive signs every 500 yards or so. I learned a lot!
On my way back down, I witnessed some sort of bird of prey scoop down and collect his dinner right in front of the Prius. I guess the engine was so quiet, he wasn't afraid of getting hit. The Prius is one with nature! I highly suggest all the L.A. residents to check this area out. The San Bernardino's are not just for skiing in the winter!
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