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Hiking on North Side of the San Bernardino Mountains

Updated on December 25, 2020

On Labor Day weekend, I went hiking on the north side of the San Bernardino Mountains, which faces Hesperia and Victorville. This part of the mountain is covered with chaparral, and thus looks a bit more high desert in appearance, but there are sporadic evergreen and oak trees growing here and there. Southern California is experiencing a severe drought, so the chaparral and vegetation were especially dry when I went for my hike. Surprisingly, some of the yellow Senecio douglasii and California buckwheat flowers were still in partial bloom in early September, which goes to show how resilient plants can be.

View of Hesperia while walking down the north side of the San Bernardino Mountains.
View of Hesperia while walking down the north side of the San Bernardino Mountains.

The view of Hesperia can be spotted while walking on the north side of the San Bernardino Mountains. I walked down this old dirt road, and the cerulean blue sky was amazing with the view of the chaparral hills.

Map of The San Bernardino Mountains

The San Bernardino Mountains are about eighty miles east of Los Angeles. The map above can help you plan your driving trip, and even map out transit routes.

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At the beginning of the hike, I decided to walk down an old dirt road that is no longer in use. It was a scary road to drive on, but I always enjoyed walking up and down this stretch. The views were amazing with the periwinkle blue sky and fluffy clouds in contrast to the chaparral foliage on the hills.

Clouds in the sky and a fence near the hill.
Clouds in the sky and a fence near the hill.
Small tree in the foreground.
Small tree in the foreground.

The sky was a striking cerulean blue color with magnificent white clouds in the sky. This made for the optimal hiking and visual experience.

A fire hydrant near a wire fence.
A fire hydrant near a wire fence.
Clouds floating in the sky with a fence along the hillside.
Clouds floating in the sky with a fence along the hillside.
One of this clouds looks like a finger.
One of this clouds looks like a finger.
California buckwheat flowers are white, and eventually turn brown.
California buckwheat flowers are white, and eventually turn brown.
Granite rocks among the chaparral.
Granite rocks among the chaparral.
The yellow senecio douglasii are surprisingly still somewhat blooming in early September.
The yellow senecio douglasii are surprisingly still somewhat blooming in early September.
Another senecio douglasii capture.
Another senecio douglasii capture.
The yellow color of the senecio douglasii flowers is a nice contrast to the earth tones of the sand.
The yellow color of the senecio douglasii flowers is a nice contrast to the earth tones of the sand.
The senecio douglasii flowers are still bloom in September.
The senecio douglasii flowers are still bloom in September.
Many large boulders create various shapes. The viewer decides what these boulder formations represent.
Many large boulders create various shapes. The viewer decides what these boulder formations represent.
During a hike I like admiring the different shapes of rocks on the ground.
During a hike I like admiring the different shapes of rocks on the ground.
The small stick near the rocks is intriguing. The shadow the rocks cast is also enjoyable to look at.
The small stick near the rocks is intriguing. The shadow the rocks cast is also enjoyable to look at.
Lines are visible in the granite boulders.
Lines are visible in the granite boulders.
Chaparral is growing above the rocks.
Chaparral is growing above the rocks.
The lines in the granite rock are mesmerizing.
The lines in the granite rock are mesmerizing.
The waning crescent moon is visible in the daytime.
The waning crescent moon is visible in the daytime.
A solitary cloud floating in the sky.
A solitary cloud floating in the sky.
Triangle shaped rocks and clouds in the sky.
Triangle shaped rocks and clouds in the sky.
Clouds floating in the blue sky.
Clouds floating in the blue sky.
Granite rocks have become smooth with many years of water flowing down the canyon.
Granite rocks have become smooth with many years of water flowing down the canyon.
The boulder formations look like different creatures, such as lizards and monsters.
The boulder formations look like different creatures, such as lizards and monsters.
The clouds look like large cotton balls in the sky.
The clouds look like large cotton balls in the sky.
What shapes do you see in the clouds?
What shapes do you see in the clouds?
Clouds are hiding behind the mountains in the distance.
Clouds are hiding behind the mountains in the distance.
The clouds are hanging out behind the mountains.
The clouds are hanging out behind the mountains.
The clouds are racing across the sky.
The clouds are racing across the sky.
The clouds are having a contest to see who can get to the other side of the sky.
The clouds are having a contest to see who can get to the other side of the sky.
The three boulders look like buddies having a chat. I placed my bottle of water near the rocks so I could take this picture.
The three boulders look like buddies having a chat. I placed my bottle of water near the rocks so I could take this picture.
Close-up of two of the boulders.
Close-up of two of the boulders.
The boulders are at the top of the hill.
The boulders are at the top of the hill.
Large boulder with California buckwheat flowers at the base.
Large boulder with California buckwheat flowers at the base.

Going through the pictures I was awe struck by this image of the large boulder with California buckwheat flowers growing at its base. The mountains with blue sky and clouds in the background were the icing on the cake. Yes, those clouds look like a yummy vegan frosting I have made for cakes before.

The view of Hesperia in the distance.
The view of Hesperia in the distance.
The view of the trail and Hesperia in the distance.
The view of the trail and Hesperia in the distance.

Hiking down this trail was easy because it was not steep at all. Trails like these are great for short hikes with people who cannot handle strenuous inclines. I enjoy more arduous hikes, but in all honesty, I like to go for long hikes that are not too taxing, which allows me to take pictures and enjoy nature.

Grey boulders down in the canyon.
Grey boulders down in the canyon.
Chaparral growing in the canyon.
Chaparral growing in the canyon.
Walking down the trail.
Walking down the trail.
Line in a large boulder.
Line in a large boulder.
Another photo of the line in the large boulder.
Another photo of the line in the large boulder.
Walking down a dirt road with the view of Hesperia in the distance.
Walking down a dirt road with the view of Hesperia in the distance.
The view of Hesperia in between the parting of the mountains.
The view of Hesperia in between the parting of the mountains.
Boulder on the hillside above as I get ready to round the corner.
Boulder on the hillside above as I get ready to round the corner.
Chaparral on the hillside with clouds looming above.
Chaparral on the hillside with clouds looming above.
The large boulder is the focal point for me.
The large boulder is the focal point for me.
It would take Herculean strength to lift one of those boulders.
It would take Herculean strength to lift one of those boulders.
Boulders on top of the hill.
Boulders on top of the hill.
Chaparral on the hillside.
Chaparral on the hillside.
The clouds are hanging out above the hillside.
The clouds are hanging out above the hillside.
The boulders have a beige color.
The boulders have a beige color.
There is some dried out chaparral in front of the boulders.
There is some dried out chaparral in front of the boulders.
A large boulder next to the chaparral bush.
A large boulder next to the chaparral bush.
The road continues to curve around.
The road continues to curve around.
I would have kept walking towards the bottom, but I had to get going.
I would have kept walking towards the bottom, but I had to get going.
Gazing up at the boulders and the chaparral on the mountain.
Gazing up at the boulders and the chaparral on the mountain.
An unidentified shrub.
An unidentified shrub.
The clouds floating by the mountain, again.
The clouds floating by the mountain, again.
Turning back around the film the curve on the hiking trail.
Turning back around the film the curve on the hiking trail.
Zooming in to capture the trail in the distance.
Zooming in to capture the trail in the distance.
By zooming in the view of Hesperia is visible.
By zooming in the view of Hesperia is visible.
Looking down at Hesperia and the mountains in the distance.
Looking down at Hesperia and the mountains in the distance.
The little clouds are floating above Hesperia.
The little clouds are floating above Hesperia.
The California buckwheat flowers growing along side the trail.
The California buckwheat flowers growing along side the trail.
Little green bushes dot the hill.
Little green bushes dot the hill.
The sun is shining down on the boulders.
The sun is shining down on the boulders.
One of the clouds is shaped like an airplane.
One of the clouds is shaped like an airplane.
Chaparral growing near the road.
Chaparral growing near the road.
A small scrub oak is visible in the foreground.
A small scrub oak is visible in the foreground.
Walking back up the trail.
Walking back up the trail.
The California buckwheat flowers are growing in a small patch.
The California buckwheat flowers are growing in a small patch.
Vegetation growing along the hillsides.
Vegetation growing along the hillsides.
The clouds are playing hide and seek behind the mountains.
The clouds are playing hide and seek behind the mountains.
The chaparral is a light green color, which compliments the tan color of the earth.
The chaparral is a light green color, which compliments the tan color of the earth.
The cloud in the center is quite beautiful.
The cloud in the center is quite beautiful.
Boulders dot the landscape to the left.
Boulders dot the landscape to the left.
Clouds in the sky and chaparral down below.
Clouds in the sky and chaparral down below.
The rock formation looks like a lizard climbing up towards the trail.
The rock formation looks like a lizard climbing up towards the trail.
Another view of the rocks that have a smooth surface due to water rushing down during the rainy and snowy season.
Another view of the rocks that have a smooth surface due to water rushing down during the rainy and snowy season.
Boulder and California buckwheat in the foreground. The mountains and clouds in the distance.
Boulder and California buckwheat in the foreground. The mountains and clouds in the distance.
Chaparral among the rocks.
Chaparral among the rocks.
The California buckwheat is quite pleasing next to the light brown dirt, and with green chaparral behind it.
The California buckwheat is quite pleasing next to the light brown dirt, and with green chaparral behind it.
A lovely senecio douglasii shrub next to a California buckwheat shrub.
A lovely senecio douglasii shrub next to a California buckwheat shrub.
The senecio douglasii still has yellow fading flowers on it.
The senecio douglasii still has yellow fading flowers on it.
The California buckwheat flowers are turning brown.
The California buckwheat flowers are turning brown.
Small purple flowers that I cannot identify.
Small purple flowers that I cannot identify.
A fence near the end of the dirt trail.
A fence near the end of the dirt trail.
The dirt road is coming to an end. I was sad to have to finish my hike because it was so pretty out there, and I wish I could have spent more time just looking at the clouds.
The dirt road is coming to an end. I was sad to have to finish my hike because it was so pretty out there, and I wish I could have spent more time just looking at the clouds.
Taking one last long look at the chaparral plants before I go.
Taking one last long look at the chaparral plants before I go.
The paved segment of the road means it is time to head back to civilization. However, I hope to go hiking up in the San Bernardino Mountains again soon. It is always nice to see the north side of the mountain headed down towards Hesperia.
The paved segment of the road means it is time to head back to civilization. However, I hope to go hiking up in the San Bernardino Mountains again soon. It is always nice to see the north side of the mountain headed down towards Hesperia.
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