Big Bear Today April 2019

Page 4—April 2019 2018
INCH-HIGH COLOR SHOW
A short trail and volunteer-staffed Visitor
Center present the unique Baldwin Lake Ecological
Preserve in a whole new light
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A○ t first glance there’s nothing to suggest
there’s anything special about
this rugged, barren terrain. In fact
the area for the most part lacks vibrant
color, save for shades of clay soil and an
endless expanse of blue sky horizon. The
only thing that breaks up the stark horizon
is nearby Baldwin Lake, the Valley’s naturally
occurring body of water that only occasionally
has water lapping at its shores.
It’s only upon closer inspection that
the uniqueness that is the Baldwin Lake
Ecological Preserve comes to life. There’s
color here, beautiful shades of yellow and
red and purple, if you’re willing to look
closely for it. There’s history too—some
150 years ago this area was the epicenter
of Southern California’s largest gold rush.
Perhaps most significantly, there’s life here,
no less than ten different floral species that
exist here and nowhere else on the planet.
A self-guided interpretive trail and
visitor center explores Baldwin Lake Ecological
Habitat via a short loop that visits
11 marked posts. Developed by the Forest
Service in conjunction with Fish and
Game, the loop is short, just over a halfmile
in length, and it presents a healthy
dose of rare habitat and history.
Pick up a free copy of the guide at the
trailhead, located along Hwy. 18 in
Baldwin Lake just west of Holcomb Valley
Rd., or at the adjacent Ecological Reserve
building, open select Saturdays 10
a.m.-2 p.m. through June 22 and staffed
by volunteers in a partnership between San
Bernardino National Forest Association
and Fish and Game Dept.
The terrain is rocky so good footwear
is recommended, and there is a touch of
elevation gain, but the trail is well marked
and easy to follow as it winds along old
fire roads and even wagon trails from yesteryear.
History abounds, starting at the
Wildflower walks select Saturdays
Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve
opens for the season on March 30 with
free guided wildflower hikes and visitor
center staffed by Southern California
botanists.
Join guided Wildflower Walks
through unique Pebble Plain terrain. Volunteers
identify some of the unique species
that grow here and nowhere else in
the world. Guided walks are also on April
13, 27-28, May 11 and 25, and June 8
and 22. The half-mile loop is free to walk
anytime; bring your own lunch and water
and wear hiking boots. Parking and
restrooms are available.
Learn about wildflowers endemic to
Big Bear, like Parish’s rock crest which
typically blooms in early spring. `Shooting
Stars’ should be in peak bloom in
April as well. Later in spring Kennedy’s
Buckwheat emerges. Big Bear’s version
of the Super Bloom is super rare!
Best viewing is in April and May as
colors are in full bloom and temperatures
are still relatively cool. With the terrific
winter the colors should really go off this
spring.
Pebble Plain is unique to Big Bear
and there are other areas of it in the Valley
besides the Preserve. There are sections
in upper Moonridge that are also
being set aside for preservation..
At Big Bear Discovery Center, free
Nature Walks continue Saturdays at 1
and 2 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. and
noon. Each 30-minute, non-strenuous adventure
explores Discovery Center’s forest
grounds as naturalists point out local
flora and fauna plus local history.
Call Discovery Center at 866-3437.
Big Bear Today
Expansive views, rare terrain at East Valley’s Baldwin Lake Ecological Preserve
building marking the trailhead—it once
was known as the “Horse House,” a synonym
for house of ill repute activities that
reportedly went on here decades ago.
As the trail winds through open sagebrush
habitat overlooking Baldwin Lake—
there’s water iat press time—visitors learn
about the flora and fauna that call this area
home. Deer, coyotes, mountain lions, a variety
of small mammals, birds and reptiles
live in this harsh terrain, where the sun’s
rays are intense—bring your sunscreen—
yet winters are harsh. Three types of jays—
pinyon, Steller’s and scrub—are found in
the San Bernardino Mountains.
The trail’s highlight comes at posts #7
and #8, as it visits Pebble Plain. Scattered
patches of rocky clay soil are in fact some
of the planet’s most unique terrain, believed
to be created during the Pleistocene
periods 10,000 years ago when glaciers
covered much of the area. Pebble Plain is
so unique, it has been compared to coral
reefs with as many as 20 species in a square
meter.
Big Bear’s unique climate, particularly
in spring—freezing nights, warm days—
causes pebbles to literally push to the soil
surface. It’s a habitat only the most hardy
can survive in, like “belly plants” only an
inch or two high, best viewed by lying
down. Douglas’ violets (actually yellow),
Parish’s rock cress, Bear Valley sandwart
and others are mostly unique to this area.
It’s among the highest concentrations of
rare plants in North America!
Belly plants contrast nicely with colorful
displays that aren’t particularly
unique, like red Indian paint brush, orange
California poppies, and even purple lupine
that smells like grape soda. Artifacts from
the mining era are mixed in with more recent
items that are purely trash...please
leave the area exactly as you found it.
Stop #10 marks western juniper, best
identified by red stringy bark, scaly green
leaves, and small light purple berries. These
slow-growing trees are hardy and
enduring...some in the forest are believed
to date over 2,000 years!
If this short loop isn’t enough hiking
for you, continue east on Hwy. 18 another
quarter-mile to Holcomb Valley Rd. and
turn left. Just before the transfer station at
the end of the road is the famed 2,638 mile
Pacific Crest Trail. The section on the left
is closed after last year’s Holcomb Fire but
the southern section on the right sports panoramic
desert views.
Discovery Center is (909) 866-3437.
www.BigBearToday.com
(L) A group enjoys Baldwin Lake Ecological Preserve; get on yur belly for a good look at Douglass’ violets in bloom on the Pebble Plain