apricot mallow revisited

I hadn't seen this high desert flower in a long time - one of my favorites - and there it was at Vasquez Rocks. Apricot mallow = Sphaeralcea ambigua.

Vasquez Rocks revisited

 

An excellent stopping point on the return trip from Big Bear. Good weather conditions and no crowd, so just right for a short walk. The only negative: real restrooms were either locked or being repaired, forcing us to use grungy port-o-potties.

the road out of Big Bear

 

I'm glad we went when we did - this road may have been scary in snowy and icy conditions, but for mid-April it was just right. The interplay between high desert and alpine forest was fascinating. Also it felt good to conquer another unknown. 

the alpine-themed Starbucks

The alpine-themed Starbucks in Big Bear Lake was another interesting building that you don’t see every day (although I suppose people who live there do). The coffee tasted the same.

solar observatory

Whenever I go somewhere new I take note of any interesting buildings. The Big Bear Solar Observatory immediately grabbed my attention, looking like some sort of futuristic Taj Mahal. It turns out that this high altitude location next to a lake creates the perfect conditions for viewing the sun. Who knew? The California Institute of Technology did - they built it in 1969.

Fawnskin

Fawnskin is a strange name and yet it’s the name of this tiny settlement on the north shore of Big Bear Lake. The Fawn Lodge Hotel is a striking landmark but from what I can tell it’s currently out of commission.

driving round the lake

It didn’t take very long to drive around the lake. It was obvious that the south shore of Big Bear Lake was more developed while the north shore was left to remain in a more natural state.

Castle Rock Trail, part 2

 

I hiked part way up this insanely steep trail which twisted and turned and provided occasional glimpses of Big Bear Lake. Interestingly there were still patches of snow on the ground.

Castle Rock Trail

It was uncanny how much the Castle Rock Trail reminded us of Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay, but on a smaller scale. In many ways Big Bear Lake is a mini-Lake Tahoe.

Masala Craft

 

The experience of eating Indian food in Big Bear Village - the heart of Big Bear Lake - was had. It was plenty of food. We had paneer in two kinds of interesting sauces. 

Noon Lodge, part 2

After a nice sunset, the clouds came rolling in - again, just as they did at Boulder Bay Park. This seems to be a Big Bear Lake specialty.

 

Noon Lodge

Our cabin at Big Bear Lake.

Boulder Bay Park

 

The best part was watching the clouds roll in directly on Big Bear Lake.