06.07.2012 - Idyllwild Town Crier

Outside Idyllwild
By Bruce Watts
A trip to Santa Rosa Mountain and
beyond …
Once again I found myself riding shotgun in
“Floyd Jr. Jr.” (the vehicle’s name), with owner
Les Walker at the wheel and Cheri and the
pups, Tiwi and Koda, in the back seat. We are
all headed up a rough dirt road towards Santa Rosa Peak.
It was a very cloudy day on the Idyllwild side of the
mountain, but to the east the clouds had not yet managed
to cover the peaks.
It had been about 30 years since I last drove up Santa
Rosa. On this adventure, I was looking forward to taking
wildflower photos along the road and on the summit.
After driving through Garner Valley on Highway 74 we
reached the turnoff to Santa Rosa and the gate was wide
open. Les was once again in his element as we headed up
the mountain. I started seeing large bushes covered in purple
penstemon flowers. This turned out to be the showy penstemon
(Penstemon spectabilis) which was in full bloom.
Next, I saw small patches of a low growing plants with
pink to purple star shaped flowers. I didn’t remember seeing
this plant in Idyllwild. As we climbed, the patches were
more beautiful, plentiful, and closer together. The plants
turned out to be the western mountain phlox, either Phlox
austromontana or perhaps diffusa species. Each plant is
covered in flowers with some looking a faded pink and
some are almost purple in color.
We actually bypassed the road to Santa Rosa Peak and
headed to the highest summit in the Santa Rosas, the 8,716-
foot Toro Peak and stopped at Virgin Springs on the way.
Being on the divide between pine forest and lower desert
created an interesting situation as very fast moving clouds
pushed up over the mountain peak only to dissolve into
a swirling mist and evaporating completely when they hit
the warm desert air. This proved to be so dramatic that we
shot several short videos of the thick rain clouds as they
evaporated.
After reaching the summit, well near the summit as it
was gated off, we took a short walk on a trail lined with
beautiful lupines, Indian paintbrush and assorted other
wildflowers which led out to views overlooking the desert
floor. Although the views were spectacular the air quality
over the desert was not great because all the horizons
seemed a little smoggy. The air on the summit was clear so
I concentrated on my latest passion, shooting wildflowers.
After we left the peak, Les could not contain himself so he
decided to go exploring on the four-wheel drive side roads,
off the main dirt road. This led to a “winchident.” Eventually,
we returned to the real road and then the highway.
Mount San Jacinto State
Park staff recently honored
three children with
Junior Ranger Certificates.
Children who participate
in several programs over
the course of two to three
summers receive a certificate
signifying completion of the
program.
Jensen Carmen, Malena
Bloom, and Karina Levine
worked hard and attended
all of the programs offered
at the park. They
even participated in several
self-guided activities. When
deciding where to go for
their Memorial Day camping
trip this year, Mount San
Les probably drove about 25 miles on the dirt roads in
the Santa Rosas and we saw many wildflowers, had some
great panoramic views of the desert and the eastern side of
our mountains, and found some wonderful campsites for
future excursions.
On the way home, we stopped and had lunch in the
recently reopened Sugarloaf Cafe. All three of us were very
happy with the food. I plan to go back again when I am
in the neighborhood.
VOTE FOR STITCH
MAYOR OF IDYLLWILD 2012
Idyllwild Town Crier, June 7, 2012 - Page 3
New Junior Rangers at Mt. San Jacinto Park
Jacinto was at the top of
their list, primarily because
of the interpretive programs
offered.
Ina Rae Lengyal and Theresa
Coy present a majority
of the programs offered at
Idyllwild and Stone Creek
campgrounds. They recognized
the children as they
entered the ranger station
and the children were excited
to see them as well.
The children attended two
more Junior Ranger and
Campfire programs during
their Memorial Day
camping trip which allowed
them to earn this prestigious
award.
The desert stretches for miles when seen from
Toro Peak.
Photos by Bruce Watts
Recently, Malena Bloom (from left), Jensen Carmen and
Karina Levine all earned their Junior Ranger Certificates from
Mount San Jacinto State Park. Two of the local staff, Theresa
Coy (left) and Ina Rae Lengyal, were instrumental in helping
the kids obtain their certificates.
Photo courtesy of Garratt Aitchison
Dream big at Idyllwild Library
The Idyllwild Public Library
is sponsoring a summer
reading progrm with the
the “Dream Big — Read!” to
encourage and to promote
reading and library use.
Registration is open to
children and young adults.
Prizes will be awarded for
books read at the completion
of program. Those
signing up will also receive
a prize.
The program started
Monday, June 4, and con-
tinues unitl the start of the
school year in September.
The program is free.
The library will also be
having summer story times
with rafts, stories, music
performers and refreshments
at 10:30 a.m., Mondays. The
Idyllwild Library is located at
54185 Pinecrest Ave.
The Riversdie County
Public Library is sponsoring
the program with the help of
the Friends of the Idyllwild
Library.
Endorsed by Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone!
If I am elected as Mayor of Idyllwild, I will educate
humans on how to be the perfect pet parents!
As the Mayor of Idyllwild, I will bring years of
experience in biscuit eating, hand shaking, schmoozing with
the ladies and riding shotgun in Jerry’s truck. I am friendly,
outgoing and I am easily bribed with food. I am active in the
community and regularly attend local meetings.
26455 Delano Drive,
Idyllwild, CA 92549 (GPS Four Chimneys Rd)
info@center4prayer.org
www.center4prayer.org
Image called “The Touch” used with permission by artist, Connie Baten.
“Art by Connie Baten” on Facebook.
VOTE ON JUNE 11, 12 & 13
SPONSORED BY JERRY HOLLDBER