curmugeon | wilderness in my backyard...

There is a BLM wilderness nearby, just a few miles up the road is the border of one of the units. It's the Beauty Mountain Wilderness, a large tract of undeveloped land including a 5500 foot mountain from which it gets it name. It is scheduled to be expanded by almost 14,000 acres.

There is also another wilderness area, Cahuilla Mountain, a very visible peak nearby. Cahuilla Mountain is held to be sacred ground by the local tribe and has in its history played a role in Helen Hunt Jackson's Ramona... one of the species cited is a variety of rattle snake that is quite numerous. Most locals find that hiking there is something not to be done without being aware that you'll probably be serenaded by the rattle of the snakes along the trail.

Not to outdone, also locally we have the San Jacinto Wilderness, the largest area locally. It is high country, with miles of trails.

So, as you can see, wilderness adventures are in my neighborhood, and for the less hardy, we have miles of forest service trails. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through the area and also passes through the Beauty Mountain Wilderness and the San Jacinto Wilderness.

I bought a new pair of hiking boots last fall and I will try to find my way into the Beauty Mountain Wilderness sometime soon.