We made a detour on our way to Palm Springs to visit Lake Hemet, check the water level, and stretch our legs. We have visited the lake in the past (see Drive through the Chaparral), and it's become a frequent stop on our annual excursions.
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| Lake Hemet |
Lake Hemet was developed as a water supply for Hemet and San Jacinto, CA. The stone masonry dam was built between 1891 and 1895 to the height of 122.5 feet (37.3 m), and then raised to a height of 135 feet (41 m) in 1923. So far we have only seen the lakeside of the dam, not the dam itself. This year the water level seemed pretty high.
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| Hiking down to the lake |
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| View of the lake through the trees |
The lake also provides recreation with picnic and camping areas nearby, and opportunities for boating and fishing (the lake is stocked with rainbow trout, bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass). We visited mid-week and saw only a handful of of folks enjoying a lazy "gone fishing" afternoon (no doubt it is much busier on the weekend).
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| Rafters on the lake |
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| Wonderful pine-scented forest |
We didn't see see many flowers, but my folks and I enjoyed walking on the road and along the lake, inhaling the fragrant pine scented air. Trees grow among the big granite rocks, and squirrels and birds are abundant. Shrubs of the chaparral are dense. We saw an interesting "thing" in one tree, which may have been some kind of nest.
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| Tenacious pine tree with a foothold in the rocks |
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| "Thing" that seemed to be composed of pine needles |
If you're ever in the area, I recommend stopping at Lake Hemet to eat your lunch, stretch your legs, enjoy the view, and maybe cast your line.
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| Lake Hemet waterline |
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