Mountains, Silence and Idyllwild by Karla Von Huben
A tiny alpine village, Idyllwild, nestles 5,000 feet up
the side of Mt. San Jacinto, approximately 2 1/2 hours north
of San Diego. The sparkling air, sweet-smelling forest,
majestic peaks and ever-shifting light have drawn artists
to this "colony" for years. You'll find their
work in galleries scattered throughout town, and the world-famous
Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts is here.
Idyllwild is also ideal for nature lovers. Idyllwild County
Park houses an informative Visitors' Center, with interesting
displays of local flora and fauna. Get your bearings there
(the Ranger Station can help you out as well), then enjoy
a hike along one of the many trails that wind through the
area. Be aware, though, that at 5,000 feet hiking becomes
a major workout. And some of those trails, though short,
are relentlessly vertical -- or seem that way. But the views
are wonderful and the animals abundant and shamefully fat!
Sit under a tree, take a deep breath of clean pine-scented
air, and listen to something missing from most vacation
destinations: silence.
If you've forgotten your lunch, try Jan's Red Kettle, a
popular eatery that serves delicious food at reasonable
prices. If you're a black-belt shopper, Idyllwild has a
colorful log-cabin mall right in the center of town, and
boutiques lining the side streets. The town is very small,
so park the car and explore on foot; it's the most fun.
Don't miss the 65-foot tall Ponderosa pine totem pole near
the center of town.
On your way to the mountain, take time to look at a man-made
wonder: the Eastside Reservoir Project. As you drive east
on Winchester Road (Route 79), look to your right as you
travel and you'll realize you're looking at a huge earthen
dam! About the time you suddenly process what you're seeing,
you'll find a sign to the overlook. If you make the trip
before November, 1999, you'll be able to see a rare sight:
a reservoir before it's filled. And like most colossal man-made
projects, the Reservoir is pleasantly creepy.
Directions: Take I-15 north to Route 79 (Winchester Road);
follow 79 east to Route 74. Turn right, drive through Hemet
and Valle Vista, and keep going up the mountain to Mountain
Center. Turn left on Route 234 and follow it to Idyllwild.
