Mission Creek Preserve, som skyddas av Wildlands Conservancy, sträcker sig över mer än 4700 hektar mellan öknen Sonoran och Mojave. Endemisk flora och fauna i båda öknarna finns i reservatet, som också inkluderar våtmarker och en pittoresk ström som rinner igenom. Många arter av vilda djur kallar bevara hemmet, inklusive rådjur, björnar, stora hornfår och berglejon.
Majoriteten av människor som besöker Mission Creek Preserve gör det för sin otroliga vandring. Utsikt över eroderade målade kullar och berget San Gorgonio erbjuds som en belöning för en vandrare. Huvudspåret leder till Pacific Coast Trail och till Whitewater Preserve, ett annat område som skyddas av Wetlands Conservancy. Om du viker från Mission Creek Preserve-spåret upp till toppen av Whitewater Preserve erbjuder du en spektakulär utsikt över Whitewater Valley nedanför.
Located just outside the town of Desert Hot Springs, Mission Creek Preserve boasts proximity to Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs, and the Pacific Crest Trail. Most visitors go for the preserve’s hiking, which offers views of wildflowers, eroded hills, and Mt. San Gorgonio. The main Mission Creek trail leads to the Pacific Crest Trail and to Whitewater Preserve—another area protected by the Wildlands Conservancy.
Mission Creek Preserve is located along Mission Creek Road, 10 miles (16 kilometers) northwest of Desert Hot Springs. There is a public parking lot outside the gate; a second parking lot further into the preserve requires permission from the Wildlands Conservancy.
The preserve is typically open daily, between sunrise and sunset. Go in the spring, after the rainy season (when there is one), to catch the wildflowers. Animal sightings are more likely in the early morning and evening hours. Guided hikes take place occasionally; check the Wildlands Conservancy website for details.
After your hike, head 18 miles (30 kilometers) south to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for another wilderness adventure that doesn’t require as much physical effort. Aboard one of the largest rotating aerial tramcars in the world, you’ll float more than 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) through the air on a 10-minute journey with views of Chino Canyon and Mount San Jacinto State Park.