Oak Glen Preserve, Yucaipa, CA

Hiked November 24, 2025. Hit this on my return drive from Sky's the Limit; there was a night sky event there that got rescheduled to Sunday, November 23. Oak Glen Preserve used to be a pretty regular stop for me on the drive back, as a combination hike/place to get a great apple pie. But often, recently, I've been in a hurry to get back from the Joshua Tree area, or just not motivated to hike. But with the Thanksgiving dinner coming up, I had a compelling excuse to stop here for the hiking and the pie.

I arrived some time before 10am; Got there later than expected, because Waze sent me up Oak Glen from the east, ignoring road construction that got me stuck in a standstill for at least fifteen minutes. There was a several mile stretch of one lane open, active construction with a flagman.

Once there, I first hiked around the ponds, northwest of the trailhead. Both ponds were full of water; with waterfowl enjoying the weather. I then headed down south among the oaks, then up to Preservation Point, then back up through Founder's Park. All told, it's somewhere abou 3 1/2 miles. I forgot to turn my Alltrails recording off before driving home, so I don't have the specific hike distance or altitude climb.

Lots of water around, given the recent rain and snow. But the weather overall has been pretty warm, as well, so there was not a dramatic burst of fall foliage. Even in late November, leaves still hung on, but were more brown the golden or rust colored.

Along the walk, someone asked me where they could see red leaves of maple. I told him they weren't native, so you'd have to check in town. There may be some maples around the parking lot, too. Red leaves, anyway, though I didn't take a closer look. I also saw some reds around the buildings and parking lot for Riley's Farm (not to be confused with Riley's Los Rios Rancho), which I could see once I started climbing towards Preservation Point. Riley's Farm is across the road, at the southern end of Oak Glen Preserve, before you get back to Founder's Park. There's seasonal creek that runs between Oak Glen Preserve and Oak Glen Road. Riley's is across the road, there.

I did see one red leafed tree, earlier, along the smaller creek that runs below the ponds. This small creek eventually runs (though, perhaps, under ground) into the creek that parallels Oak Glen Road. Not sure what kind of tree, but definitely not a maple.

It was a little hazy this day, but it's still a nice view from Preservation Point. Mount San Jacinto is far off to the east. The San Bernardino Mountains are to your north. The Inland Empire is to your south. I finally checked a map and learned that the big reservoir with a pointing island in the middle is Lake Perris. Several other reservoirs are also visible from way up there.

Closer to home is the Oak Glen orchard, with lots of apple trees lined up, and the "temporary" building that is the shop also visible from up top.

Not a lot of color, as noted earlier. Some yellows, and some yellow-fringed oak leaves. That was about it.

It must have gotten cold, overnight, because the floating dock and the wooden walkway that passes through the stinging nettle were both closed, presumably due to safety considerations of slipping on ice-covered wood. Not sure if they opened, later.

Meanwhile, even at the start of my hike, I was fine in shorts and a hoodie.

It's a hike I've done before, but I enjoy it, because there's a pretty steep (but not super-long) climb up to Preservation point, and a shorter and less steep climb back up to Founders Park. It's also at moderate altitude of 4500 - 4800 feet above sea level, so it's better for my leg muscles and aerobic capacity than just walking around town. A little far as a destination, but a great stop on the way back from Joshua Tree, with year-round interest.

First hike it quite a while. Felt good to get outside, and the slightly-tired legs I had the next day felt even better. Always hoping to get a little more hiking in, but we'll see. Currently, my America the Beautiful pass is expired. I'm trying to make it to my birthday, later this month, when I'll qualify for a lifetime Golden Age passport. It's only eighty bucks, and in the big scheme of things, it's not much, but I don't want to spend money I don't have to.