The following two paragraphs I grabbed of the website so if it sounds too well written that is the reason.
The Whitewater Preserve is 2,826 acres surrounded by the Bureau of Land Management San Gorgonio Wilderness and includes the year-round Whitewater River. Rich riparian habitat hosts the endangered Southwest willow flycatcher and Bell's vireo and provides the opportunity to see migrating summer tanagers and vermilion flycatchers. The canyon has a robust population of bighorn sheep, deer and bear and is an important wildlife corridor between the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. The Wildlands Conservancy purchased an additional 3,200 acres in the Whitewater corridor that was donated to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These donated lands include sand dunes that are home to the endangered fringe-toed lizard at Windy Point at the confluence of the Whitewater and San Gorgonio Rivers.
The Whitewater Trout Farm's historic building has been transformed into a visitor facility and ranger station. Other visitor facilities include individual and group picnic areas and campgrounds that are overshadowed by steep vertical cliffs where bighorn sheep are often spotted. There is a trailhead leading to the Pacific Crest Trail and paver paths around the ponds for the elderly. Fishing is limited to organized catch and release programs for kids in which all equipment is provided.
I am sorry to report I didn't take any photos of the trout ponds as the original intention was to hike the Canyon View Loop Trail (3.5 mile loop). We started out well but blasted past the turnoff to the loop thinking it was the southern entrance but no it was the northern entrance so we ended up within spitting distance from a spot called the Red Dome before we decided we had hike passed our turn. This hike was very enjoyable and gave us wonderful views of the Whitewater Wash. We walked approximately 4 miles and had an elevation gain of 348 feet but the hike back was all downhill.
The Pacific Crest Trail borders Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and so one of it's many uses is hunting. As we were hiking the near the west side of the canyon we heard a guy very close by firing a shotgun. After we got back we asked the rangers and they said they could hunt in those areas but weren't allowed to fire across the trail. Of course that answer doesn't sound all that reassuring especially if the guys is hiding in the shrubs and gets disorientated. I guess he was hunting quail funny we didn't see many birds on our hike.
We stopped by the turn off for the loop and confirmed that I should have asked for directions but I'm a guy and we just don't ask.
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| Whitewater River - actually this is one of two main streams that make up the river. |
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| It would be easier crossing if the guy taking the picture would untangle his dog |
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| After the dog jam things got easier but we were delayed by our team doing the Japanese tourist imitation |
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| View of the Ranger Station/Fish pond area in their fall colours |
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| East side of canyon |
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| My interesting plant shot. Anybody know it's name? |
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