Listen Here:
I love walking. It’s always been my favorite way to get around – get exercise, get quiet, contemplative moments, and get to know an area I live in or visit. I walked around my neighborhood daily when I lived just below the Highlands on Sunset. As you approached the mountains, the road was a mix of paved and dirt. You could climb in and over the hills and drink in the beauty of the adjoining park without worrying about getting off a trail. That trail is now the Nancy Karl trail and part of Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) protected lands. This land is a buffer between the national park and development and is an essential wildlife corridor for Big Horn Sheep, Bobcats, Desert Tortoise, Coyotes, and Rabbits. Follow “Leave No Trace” and keep your dog on a leash.
Now I live on the Northside of Joshua Tree, and there is a mix of dirt roads and open areas. The dirt roads can be uneven or soft sand. As I age, I must watch my step more carefully, and the sand can be hard on my back. I have walking sticks I use on uneven ground. Walking with sticks can burn more calories and raise your heart rate even though it does not feel like more exertion than regular walking.
In the warmer months, wearing loose, light-colored clothing and sturdy hiking shoes is essential. Bring a wide-brimmed hat and apply sunscreen to exposed skin often. Use sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright sun. In the cooler months, certain areas can reach freezing temperatures. Dress appropriately.
I walk Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, 11055 East Dr, Morongo Valley, as often as possible. It feels safe; people are always around, but not crowded. It’s cooler, with shade, and I never tire of the beauty, the sound of birds, and the deer sightings. The other day when I went to the preserve early in the morning, I unexpectedly met up with a few birders and preserve volunteers, indulging in a delightful, informative, if unexpected, conversation with a stranger. Getting out of the house is well worth the effort.
The Big Morongo Canyon Preserve’s Education Center can be a great place to stop during scorching days. Check with the preserve for hours of operation. Bird walks begin at 8 am every Wednesday from October 1 through March 30 and at 7 am from April 1 through September 30. There are no bird walks on Wednesdays before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
Being a rural community, we lack sidewalks and streetlights in most areas. Safety is most important. If not hiking in the park or one of the Preserves, you can get exercise walking in the local parks like Machris Park, Friendly Hills Park, Essig Park, and Community Center Park. If permitted, you can walk the track at a local high school or college. Always check out the rules before entering an area you don’t know.
If walking at night, wear reflective clothing. Even when there is a bike path, people often drive too quickly. Take a friend when possible. You can form walking groups on Facebook and in the neighborhood app. It’s a great way to meet new people with common interests. Make sure your walking companions know if you have any health complications. If you need an inhaler, bring it with you. If you are allergic to bees or any elements in nature, come with an Epinephrine Auto-Injector. You can carry it in a fanny pack or a day pack. During the summer, snakes like to bask in the sun. They don’t want to bother with you, don’t bother them, but stay aware of your environment and don’t put your hands where you can’t see them.
MDLT suggests you download an app that can track your walk and let you know what trails are nearby and who or what entity owns the land. You will encounter MDLT-protected property, National Monuments, the Bureau of Land Management, the Department of Defense, the National Park Service, and private land. Different parcels have different rules: time of day restrictions, whether you can walk in this area or not (particularly on Military property or private property), and whether you can bring your dog. Always Keep your dog on a leash for your pet’s safety and to maintain pristine lands and areas safe for wildlife.
Suggestion for staying safe.
- Plan and prepare.
- Check the weather.
- If it’s hot, hike before 10 am and after 5 pm.
- Pack it in; pack It out.
- Beware of where you are walking; even if you are walking around your home, you may be walking on private lands, BLM lands, or protected lands.
- Vandalizing or removing plants, animals, rocks, rock art, or artifacts is illegal.
- Be considerate of others-keep low noise levels.
- Leave route information with a friend.
- Judge the time you plan to be out.
- Carry a Flashlight/headlamp if walking at night.
- Wear a hat and sunglasses.
- Make sure you have water.
- Don’t underestimate the sun and its effects on you all year, especially in the summer.
Be prepared. Think about your route and how long the walk will take. Sergeant Scalise from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said, “People need to remember that we don’t have cell service in many of our areas, so don’t rely on the cell phone for getting you out of trouble.” If you get lost, Sergeant Scalise said, the best thing to do is retrace your steps or stay in place.”
Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. Some apps can link you to a close friend or family member so they always know your location and can know where to look if you get in trouble. Bring your phone but stay off it. Check out if you will have cell service in your walking area. Daily walks are a great time to get free from your busy activities.
Breathe, enjoy the fresh air and the peace of the desert.
