One of the most elegant plants in North America grows only in a few selected location throughout California, most of which are in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Beneficiaries of cold winters and cool summers, most of this species is content to thrive in other montane locales in the Intermountain West and more frigid reaches of Canada and the United States. In Southern California, two stands of these rare tranquil trees grow only within the eastern San Bernardino Mountains. The larger, far more frequently visited, and now burned grove is known simply as "Aspen Grove" in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. At its peak it was quite frankly among the most spectacular jewels of the region as the trees graced gurgling Fish Creek. However, the devastating 2015 Lake Fire has not only kept the trail to them closed at the time of this writing, but the grove itself has burned to the ground. This is only a bad thing for us mortals, as the Aspen are fire-hardy individuals who thrive in rebirth through ash-laden soil. It will be many decades though for this grove, and indeed the entire wilderness, to reach its same level of sublimity prior to the raging inferno.
Fortunately for arborists, there is another grove of these trembling trees, completely off-trail, unsigned, and hidden from everyday visitors tucked into the creek bed of an inconspicuous eastern range drainage. This is the hidden Arrastre Creek Aspen Grove, filled with hundreds of this locally extremely rare beauty in a vale practically uninvited and unseen by even the most experienced of hikers. This is unfortunate, because it is really quite a simple trip that could be made by most with reasonable hiking ability and excellent route finding.
In order to keep this grove secret and untouched, there will be no directions posted publicly here to the location of this noble and delicate grove. If you are interested in visiting the grove, I ask that you comment below with a brief resume of your outdoor experience and why you wish to visit the trees. Please do not take this as pride, but a measure to keep this trees unspoiled for generations to come. Also note, there will be no write-up, but only pictures. A trail guide may be requested by the reader to view.
Stats:
Category: Easy
Miles: 2.75
Elevation Gain: 700'
Location: San Bernardino National Forest
Directions: (See Above Request)
Hiked: 9/16/2017. No Adventure Pass Required.
Pictures:
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| Road heading down into Arrastre Creek |
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| Trailside Flower in Sept. |
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| Heading down.... |
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| PCT section |
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| Conifer forest |
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| Off trailing.... |
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| Behind this tree... |
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| Small Trees |
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| First glimpses of Fall coming... |
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| Beautiful White bark |
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| Sapling |
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| Dense Stand |
One of the most elegant plants in North America grows only in a few selected location throughout California, most of which are in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Beneficiaries of cold winters and cool summers, most of this species is content to thrive in other montane locales in the Intermountain West and more frigid reaches of Canada and the United States. In Southern California, two stands of these rare tranquil trees grow only within the eastern San Bernardino Mountains. The larger, far more frequently visited, and now burned grove is known simply as "Aspen Grove" in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. At its peak it was quite frankly among the most spectacular jewels of the region as the trees graced gurgling Fish Creek. However, the devastating 2015 Lake Fire has not only kept the trail to them closed at the time of this writing, but the grove itself has burned to the ground. This is only a bad thing for us mortals, as the Aspen are fire-hardy individuals who thrive in rebirth through ash-laden soil. It will be many decades though for this grove, and indeed the entire wilderness, to reach its same level of sublimity prior to the raging inferno.
In order to keep this grove secret and untouched, there will be no directions posted publicly here to the location of this noble and delicate grove. If you are interested in visiting the grove, I ask that you comment below with a brief resume of your outdoor experience and why you wish to visit the trees. Please do not take this as pride, but a measure to keep this trees unspoiled for generations to come. Also note, there will be no write-up, but only pictures. A trail guide may be requested by the reader to view. 
Hi Joseph, first, let me say thank you for your post regarding the current conditions of the Aspen Grove. My wife and I were looking for places to see fall foliage in Southern California and heard about the Aspen Grove, but I wasn't sure if it was worth visiting since the fire from 2015.
ReplyDeleteI am very curious about this other area that you mentioned in this article. I would love to know more about how to reach there, but I understand that you want to protect this place, especially since I have already hiked many areas in Southern California that have already been defaced by unrespecting people.
I love nature and photography, and always seeking out areas less traveled. I was very fortunate to receive help from another person who also wanted to protect a certain location in Joshua Tree, so I hope I can receive the same fortune about this place. To this day, I haven't told anyone about that area.
You can reach me at stevek8375@yahoo.com, and I thank you in advance!
Hi Joseph,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your review and post on the aspen grove. I was very excited to find out that aspens exist in Southern California and was estatic to visit them in their fall glory. I did not realize though that the 2015 fire burned and closed down the popular Fish Creek location.
Someone told me that there is a second grove near Arrastre Creek and I've been trying to pinpoint the location from old USFS documents and satellite images. I am hoping to go there this weekend and shoot pictures in their fall glory.
I have a deep respect for the outdoors and nature and have done a ton of hiking. I used to do scouting (up to Eagle) which set the foundation for my hiking experience along with proper ethics.
I'm also a big tree guy who does a lot of bonsai if you know what that is. I have my own website and blog: www.bontsai.com Actually in the gallery section of my page you can see pictures from my recent backpacking trips in the Angeles National forest.
Naturally I look for interesting tree subject to photograph which is why I'd really love to find this grove. If you do not mind, could you share directions on how to find the grove?
I completely understand your concern in preserving rare and beautiful locations like this. The past summer I worked near Chicago in Lemont, Il. They have a forest preserve there called Glen Waterfall Forest Preserve. In it there is a large man made waterfall that is more easily accessible and a popular location of the site. There is a real smaller waterfall that is a relic of the glacial period of which the location is not publically disclosed. A friend showed me where it was and boy was it beautiful. Equally rare as much of the midwest is highly cultivated and a fraction of it's forested regions remain.
My name is Julian Tsai and you can reach me at julian.tsai96@gmail.com I am open to discussing more to reassure you that I will treat this site with respect and preserve it for future generations.
Thanks!
How in the world do I get directions? Im a solo hiker out of san diego. My Instagram handle is @ccastelli722 where you can find all of my weekend adventures. I have been waiting to visit the fish creek aspen trail since 2015. I would love to see this grove and its beauty!!
ReplyDeleteThanks
Catherine
Do you have off-trail experience? What is the highest mountain you have climbed in a day? Please answer these, and leave a comment with your email address, and I can send you directions and coordinates. Thanks!
DeleteHi Joseph,
ReplyDeleteI am interested in venturing out here to see the autumn colors -- unfortunately as you mentioned the Fish Creek one is still closed off from the fire. I'm a freelance photographer as well as an occasional hiker -- been to Yosemite, Laguna Wilderness, Crystal Cove, and many other trails. I definitely understand your concern in preserving locations such as this and you have my word in protecting it. If you don't mind sharing the directions, my email is derekrliang@gmail.com.
Thanks,
Derek
Hi Derek,
DeleteUnfortunately, I do think you will get much. The past reports I have were about two weeks ago and the colors already had peaked. It may not be much. If you are still interested, please specify some particular trips you have done as well. Not only is this for this special place
s protection, but for safety as well as it is very easy to get lost. I hope you understand :-) Thanks!
Hi Joseph,
ReplyDeleteLovely blog. Thank you for keeping thengrove a secret to those who are willing to put the effort in.
Before I ask about where the grove isnonly to have hopes dashed-what is the road to it like. I have a little ford sedan that is past it's days of accidental off-roading. My email is haliewestphotography@gmail.com
Keep on exploring,
-Halie
Hi, Joseph.
ReplyDeleteI also found the Arrastre Creek grove. I used an old map and a picture of the grove that had some familiar looking mountains in it. Comparing the old map with Google Maps satellite pics, I was able to see it from above. Later, I bushwhacked into the grove. It’s good to have one to go to while Fish Creek is still closed.
RJ
Just saw this comment, sorry...Glad you found it! Please keep it secret. Keep it safe.
DeleteThanks for the article. Yesterday I hiked the Aspen Grove Trail and Fish Creek trail to Lake Peak, all through the burn area. These trails just opened in August. The aspen groves are recovering rapidly with dense strands of trees already 8 feet high. Hope you can give me directions to the Arrastre grove which I would like to visit during the fall colors in early to mid-October. I have hiked along the PCT north of Onyx peak and familiar with the area. I have extensive hiking experience, having covered the PCT from mile 0 to 400 and recent hikes this summer to Palisade glacier and Mt Langley.
ReplyDeleteI will need you to leave me your email so I can respond confidentially to you.
DeleteJoseph,
DeleteThanks for the response, you can reach me at dlhnj@yahoo.com.
Dave
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, Joseph; I will keep this little grove our secret, though I can’t promise other internet sleuths won’t find it. We’re waiting for Fish Creek to re-open so my wife can enjoy native SoCal aspens!
ReplyDeleteI went to the Fish Creek aspen grove last year, spectacular in its 8 foot yellow glory but burned trees were still standing and I could tell how it must have been. Trail was overgrown so had to wing it most of the way, would love to know where this one is. Email is bnnpeterson@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteFound it, felt awesome sitting amongst them.
DeleteMy son is wanting to hike here for his 18th birthday this weekend. He did the cactus-to-clouds trail this summer in about 10 hours, was backpacking this past weekend, will be backpacking in two weekends. boydfamily5@outlook.com.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great article. And thanks for caring enough about this secret grove to make it more important than yourself.
I grew up in LA in the 60s. My family has hiked all through the Transverse Range. My joy of hiking caused me to major in Geology and I really liked the Field Classes we had in our local mountains. We went everywhere on my folks blue collar budget in those days. We hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in '68. Got caught in a flash flood! We went to Glen Canyon the first summer they allowed boats and got to see much of that place that is now under water. We hiked lava tunnels in Oregon and when in college up there I often stayed on the beaches in a lean to built of driftwood while trying and failing to surf cast for food. Never figured that out. Worked in Alaska summers of '79, '80, and '81 living in a tent on the river in Kenai and travelling all over except the panhandle. Made it out to Bristol Bay working and to some of the Aleutians. Also wandered around Prince William Sound for a month in a Boston Whaler we found floating far out at sea. The Coast Guard asked us to hang on to it until they could figure out where it came from. So we shipped up a water ski and overnighted on islands in the Sound. We had bonfires and slept under trees in the rain on nameless islands. Back in LA in the late 80s to finish college my rescue half-wolf half-shepherd dog and I explored the Transverse Range again. I tried to find the Aspens my folks had found in the 60s but never did. Then found them online and wanted to take my kids there. Then the fire. Now I think maybe I don't have enough years left to wait for the known grove to grow back. Hence I am wondering if you would share with me your knowledge of the secret grove. Thank you for any consideration.
Pat Martin