Big Bear Today Magazine June 2020

Page 16—June 2020
THE BACK PAGE
Ecology lesson, views on Woodland Trail
E
cology lesson, family-friendly hiking
and views galore are rolled into
one great time along the Woodland
Interpretive Trail on the north shore.
The 1-1/2 mile loop is rated easy with
only a few gentle climbs and descents as it
winds through forest. Hikers actually experience
different climatic zones along the
way, transitioning between mixed-conifer
and Pinyon-Juniper woodland habitat.
Lake and ski slope views, wildlife
habitat, even a 1,500-year-old Western Juniper
and more are identified by 16 numbered
posts along the interpretive trail. Pick
up a free brochure at the nearby Discovery
Center though they’re also sometimes
available at the trailhead where there’s picnic
tables, rest rooms and parking. Adven-
ture Pass is required at the trailhead, but
many hikers park across the street for free
at Carol Morrison East Boat Launch.
The self-guided trek takes about 45
minutes to an hour to complete. Kids love
to scamper from post to post and don’t even
realize they’re learning about mountain
biology, landscape, even the native Americans
who first occupied Big Bear Valley.
There’s benches along the trail where hikers
enjoy a civilized sit, plus plenty of logs
interspersed for a more traditional hiking
break.
Catch the well-marked, extra-wide
singletrack trail on the east side of the parking
lot and after a little elevation gain hikers
come to the first post denoting the ancient
Western Juniper. Believed to have
taken root
around the fifth
century, the tree
was a seedling
as the Roman
Empire fell.
Where the
lake is now was
lush, brassy
meadow back
then, stomping
grounds for
California grizzly
bears, the
now extinct state
symbol. Juniper
Enjoy lake views and colorful wildflowers
on Woodland Trail
Big Bear Today
played a huge role in the lives of native
Serrano Indians, who used the loose stringy
bark to make simple skirts, baskets, even
shoes.
Next up trekkers see mountain mahogany,
what locals call ironwood at #2.
For good reason: it’s been known to bust
chainsaws and it’s so heavy it won’t float
in water! It’s coveted as firewood because
it burns so hot once you get it going.
Markers highlight willow trees, found
in moist drainage that was flowing with
water in spring. Now it’s dry but the abundant
willows prove water is underground.
The Serrano made baskets and bows of arrows
and also chewed on the barnk, their
version of aspirin.
Also featured are two different species
of oaks found in Big Bear—side-byside
at #7, making comparisons easy. California
black oak puts on a color show in
the fall as its leaves change and drop. Canyon
live oak on the other hand is evergreen.
See snowcapped Mt. San Gorgonio,
at 11,502 feet the highest point in Southern
California, beyond the ski resorts. Really
interesting is the towering Jeffrey pine
peppered by hundreds of woodpecker
holes, which the birds use to store acorns.
The role fire plays in the forest ecosystem,
ravines animals travel, granite rock
to climb on (beware of rattlesnakes) and
more highlight Woodland Trail. There were
even scattered patches of colorful wildflowers
on our late June outing, adding to
what is already a scenic trek.
Call Discovery Center (909) 866-3437
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