Eight thirty am, not really early, but it’s only forty-six degrees (Fº) at the Humber Park trailhead in the quaint alpine village of Idyllwild, when today’s ramble begins, climbing through a thick pine forest on the eastern flank of the San Jacinto mountains. Nine hours later, when I get off the aerial tram in the desert oasis of Palm Springs, it’s in the upper eighties, and I’m surrounded by palm trees and mid-century architecture. A study in contrast, like the long shadows signaling the changing season. Soon snow will blanket the peaks of Mt San Jacinto, Newton Drury, Jean and Marion, and the fire danger will drop from extreme to moderate.

Walking Project 039_fall shadows – Mt San Jacinto from chris worland on Vimeo.