Drive through the Chaparral

For one of our outings, my folks and I drove from East Hemet, California south on Bautista Canyon road to Anza Valley, then met up with the Pines to Palms Highway to drive north through Idyllwild, and on to Banning, and Interstate 10. This beautiful route passes through the San Bernardino National Forest, and encompasses both dense chaparral and fragrant pine forests. I remember taking drives in this area as a kid, when our family travelled south from Alaska to vacation with both sets of grandparents.

Orange groves near Bautista Canyon

The Bautista Canyon road is paved for the first few miles, and passes through orange groves. This is like stepping back in time, when orange groves were common place in Southern California. We stopped for pictures, and breathed in the fragrant orange blossoms.

Bautista Canyon road and dense vegetation of the chaparral



A wash in the chaparral

Shreddy bark

Indian Paintbrush in situ

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Soon, the paving ends and Bautista Canyon road becomes graded gravel, winding through the chaparral, which is densely packed with pines, ironwood, juniper, and manzanita. We saw Indian Paintbrush, and white Ceanothus. Juan Bautista de Anza traveled north from Anza-Borrego Desert through Coyote Canyon and then Bautista Canyon on his expedition in 1775-1776. (Later, their party camped near Burlingame on the San Francisco Bay).

Pleasant stroll around Lake Hemet

Coulter pine

Lupine

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At the Lake Hemet dam we stretched our legs, and enjoyed the mixed forest of pine and oak. Miniature lupine thrives in the gravel. We stopped in Idyllwild for hand dipped ice cream bars, and a quick walk through the winding streets. I remember stopping for ice cream in Idyllwild as a kid, and enjoying the cooler mountain temperature. The pine trees were lovely and fragrant.

Idyllwild in the mountains

Old fashioned candy shop in Idyllwild

Further on, we passed out of the forest and had wonderful sweeping views of Interstate 10 and Banning below, and the Palm Springs area to the south. Here on the exposed, sunny hills, blue Ceanothus and Yellow Bush Poppy grew together. After seeing the sunny, well drained exposures in which they thrive, I can see why Ceanothus labors in the Bay Area. We also saw thriving patches of blue Canterbury Bells, and purple Phacelia.

View of Banning from the Pines to Palms Highway

Yellow Bush Poppy and blue Ceanothus growing side by side on a sunny, well drained slope

Blue Canterbury Bells

White Ceanothus

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We passed through burned areas, left from the tragic fire storms of last year. Still, new growth is already thriving.

Burned trees

We made a few more stops, and then headed for home. Over half racks of ribs at Applebee’s Restaurant, my folks and I reviewed the discoveries of the day, and updated our plant lists.