LAKE HEMET TO HESPERIA

BALD EAGLE AT LAKE HEMET (TAGGED) SIGN SAID THERE WERE A PAIR NESTING AND WE WERE SO LUCKY TO SEE THIS ONE - SPOTTED OF COURSE BY ROY!

KINGBIRD AT LAKE HEMET

ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD AT LAKE HEMET

GILA WOODPECKER AT LAKE HEMET

We left Lake Hemet and drove through the pretty mountain road to Idyllwild then over to Banning, short trip on the I - 10 then up more mountain roads to Big Bear Lake, a ski area where the snow still lay on the ski runs. We spent most of the day driving at around 6000 ft on a stunning rim of the world road finally arriving at Hesperia after a couple of wrong slots in the unmarked mountain villages.

We came here primarily to get wifi so we could try to get places at Phantom Ranch - we have tried several times with no luck. Today was no different. They take bookings 13 months in advance, they go on sale on the first of each month for the next year so we got up at 6 am and sat for an hour and half ringing on my phone and skype, finally got through to hold for 20 minutes and then there were no places! Our aim is to walk down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, stop the night at Phantom Ranch then hike out the next day. It is very special as they only have about 20 male and 20 female dormitories. There are some cabins but they seem to be taken by the people who go down by mule. Roll on May to try again!

LAKE HEMET

DEVIL'S SLIDE TRAIL