Horse Meadows Overnight Trip ~ December 2, 2008

Last week my dad and I went on our first overnight camping trip together. We camped at a place called Horse Meadows, here's a description of our hike... follow the well-built, easy-graded trail (1E04) as it winds up through stands of Jeffrey pine and white fir, passing the broad expanse of Horse Meadow, to the wilderness boundary at Poopout Hill, 2.4 miles and 1,000 feet of elevation gain. We will contour eastward along the richly forested hillside, and after another mile begin to hear the rushing waters of the Santa Ana's South Fork down to your left. The trail climbs 200 feet in the last 0.25 mile and reaches South Fork Meadows, a sloping glen shaded by pine and fir, with lush ferns and grasses sprouting along the several converging streams and in the marshy cienegas.

Here's a picture of our tent. There's just enough room for me and my dad to sleep in it together!

It was so neat to wake up in the morning in the middle of the forest! I decided to do some exploring while my dad fixed breakfast.

My dad set-up our cooking equipment on this picnic table. If you click on the picture you can see me on the left hand side of the photo.

Here's our camp stove, pots and pans and a bag of dehydrated scrambled eggs.

I'm trying to wait patiently for my breakfast... hurry up dad! I'm hungry!

We could see Mt. San Gorgonio while we were hiking. My dad and I hiked to the top of San Gorgonio a few weeks ago! (It wasn't covered in snow when we hiked to the top... Brrrr!)

I loved pouncing on the patches of snow! I ran from snow patch to snow patch... it was SO much fun!

Can you see me crossing the stream? The water was cold!

I can't wait to go on more overnight camping trips! Bye for now... Love, Trooper!