This is a perfect hike during COVID because it has light transit, and it’s also quite easy. The trail is part of the Pacific Crest Trail and is in the general area of the Mojave Fork Dam, near Hesperia. The easiest way to find it is to search for the Etiwanda Game Association (see exact address below). Once you see the rock pictured below (notice it has a flag painted on it), you’ve found it. There will be entrances to the trail both on the left and the right. What I write here describes what you’ll see if you follow the left entrance (when facing the rock).
The hike is easy, although it goes from dirt to rocks, so avoid sandals. First, it will give you gorgeous views of the area and then it will turn into a canyon that will end up in a small river. You can cross the river and continue; we turned around at this point. To and from took us an hour (the taking of pictures included). We saw a total of six families. Note, however, that none of them wore masks, so take yours!
(FYI, some of the rocks have ehmm.. “contemporary hieroglyphs.”)
As I’m a fan of loops, on the way there we went up the 15 freeway towards Barstow and then switched to CA-138 and the 173. On the way back, we retraced 173 and switched to 138, but this time going East (or through the mountains). This winding road is gorgeous, you’ll see pines and even some snow, but make sure that your car can take it and that you’ll have the nerve to drive the curves.
On 138 East there are other gems to see, like Lake Silverwood’s Vista Point, and the cute town of Crestline. The road will eventually take you to the 210 and you’ll know what to do from there.
(This is supposed to be just an overlook point, but, as you know, some people are really smart.)
This little trip filled an afternoon for us; it felt as if we had gone far away in just a few hours. If you want to see it in action, enjoy these TikToks!
TheFumeofsighs.com 