Mission Creek Preserve

This #GivingTuesday take the opportunity to explore, connect, and protect your local nature preserves. The Wildlands Conservancy owns and stewards the largest nonprofit nature preserve in the state, opening these amazing preserves to the public free of charge for hiking, camping, and more. https://getinvolved.wildlandsconservancy.org/givingtuesday2 #givingtuesday #optoutside #opttoact #thewildlandsconservancy #hiking #california

FREE EVENT TOMORROW NIGHT! We are excited to share our upcoming event in collaboration with Mojave Desert Land Trust and Sky's The Limit Observatory and Nature Center in celebration of Latino Conservation Week on Saturday evening, July 20th from 8:30pm-10pm. The program welcomes everyone and will be in Spanish, English and ASL. La Luna Desvela (The Moon Reveals) will feature cosmology stories, interactive talks on wildlife and local tribal history.... Please arrive early to settle in as our program will start promptly at 8:30pm. Entrance is free and folks are encouraged to carpool. Bales of hay will be provided for seating but feel free to bring your camping chairs and blankets. A wandering coyote told us there will be pan dulce and café for community so don't miss out! Invite your abuelita and your tíos! A donation of $10 per vehicle is welcome to support continuation of programs but is not required. We hope to see you there! More information can be found here: https://www.skysthelimit29.org/special-events.html

Update on Access: We are once again issuing permits to access the inner parking lot at the Stone House; the unsafe portion of the interior road was repaired late last week by our ranger staff. To request access, please go to the Mission Creek Preserve page of the Wildlands Conservancy Website and look for the "Access" section. ... Please submit your request at least 2 days ahead of time to make sure that our rangers have time to process your request and send your permit in time for your visit. Thank you for your patience and understanding, and have a wonderful time during your visit!

It’s National Wildlife Day, and here is one of our avian wildlife visitors: the Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)! Ever seen one of these flame-colored birds flitting around the tops of trees? Though brightly colored, Western Tanagers are actually pretty hard to spot! The yellow and scarlet birds are males, while the females show a more olive-yellow body with the typical black wings. The red color on the faces of the males is not produced by the Tanager’s body; it is hypothesized that the level of redness comes from insects in their diets! Though they typically prefer conifer forests, they are found throughout the Preserve, hunting insects from the branches and leaves of our woodland areas and singing a short and raspy song which some say sounds like they are constantly asking and answering their own questions.

Watch out for those spikes! Chilicothe, also known as manroot and wild cucumber, grows round, spiked fruits which swell enough to eventually break open and distribute seeds. This bright-green perennial vine is easy to spot in its surrounding sagebrush as it stretches across distances up to 20 feet! The flowers of the Chilicothe are small and white, and the shoots, stems and leaves of the plant are extremely hairy in texture. Contrary to its name, wild cucumber does not taste like the refreshing fruit we all know, but has a very bitter taste, and is not good to eat. Look for this plant blooming in late winter on our preserve!

Calling all volunteers for Saturday, March 16th! Join Docent LaDonna for a morning of pulling invasive mustard to help protect wildflower habitat and reduce wildfire risk over the summer! Meet at the gate to Mission Creek Preserve on Saturday morning at 8 AM! ... Work will be light-moderate in difficulty. While the ground is wet, the mustard has been relatively easy to pull out. Bring: - Water - Gloves - Snacks - Sun protection - Willingness to get your hands dirty! No reservations necessary for this event. If you have questions, please call our rangers at 760-369-7105 or message us here.

FREE EVENT TOMORROW NIGHT! We are excited to share our upcoming event in collaboration with Mojave Desert Land Trust and Sky's The Limit Observatory and Nature Center in celebration of Latino Conservation Week on Saturday evening, July 20th from 8:30pm-10pm. The program welcomes everyone and will be in Spanish, English and ASL. La Luna Desvela (The Moon Reveals) will feature cosmology stories, interactive talks on wildlife and local tribal history.... Please arrive early to settle in as our program will start promptly at 8:30pm. Entrance is free and folks are encouraged to carpool. Bales of hay will be provided for seating but feel free to bring your camping chairs and blankets. A wandering coyote told us there will be pan dulce and café for community so don't miss out! Invite your abuelita and your tíos! A donation of $10 per vehicle is welcome to support continuation of programs but is not required. We hope to see you there! More information can be found here: https://www.skysthelimit29.org/special-events.html

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Saharan Mustard (Brassica tournefortii) is spreading across the Preserve and around the Coachella Valley. This invasive weed is not native to California and can have devastating impacts. Saharan Mustard limits and displaces native wildflowers, affects wildlife, and acts as fuel for wildfires. Rangers and volunteers are manually removing these plants from the entrance and road-shoulders of the Preserve. Volunteers will also learn how to identify and remove this plant for their own knowledge. Call (760)369-7105 to sign-up as a volunteer today!

If you were backpacking out of Mission Creek Preserve yesterday and found yourself missing some equipment, please message us here with a description of what you lost

Update on Access: We are once again issuing permits to access the inner parking lot at the Stone House; the unsafe portion of the interior road was repaired late last week by our ranger staff. To request access, please go to the Mission Creek Preserve page of the Wildlands Conservancy Website and look for the "Access" section. ... Please submit your request at least 2 days ahead of time to make sure that our rangers have time to process your request and send your permit in time for your visit. Thank you for your patience and understanding, and have a wonderful time during your visit!

Mission Creek Preserve will be closed until further notice. The road has been completely washed out by the recent rains and is gone. The attached video and photo were taken around 9:15am on February 14th. It's currently unclear when the road may be repaired and reopened. ... We will update the Mission Creek Preserve page with updates as we have them.

Mission Creek Preserve will be closed today, February 14th, due to flash flood risk and winter storm warnings up canyon from the preserve. The current forecast is for between 2 and 3 inches of rain at the Stone House, with even more precipitation falling up canyon. If there is ever a potential for flash flooding at the preserve, we will err on the side of caution and keep the preserve closed.... A flash flood is different from normal flooding because it can come quickly with little to no warning. Steep, hilly, or mountainous terrain (like we have up Mission Creek Canyon from the Preserve) can produce rapid runoff that may lead to flash flooding. When the water cannot infiltrate the ground it will flow rapidly, and a river that was once dry can be several feet deep within an hour. If you are parked up here while there is a flash flood, there is no guarantee that you will make back to town. The road up to the preserve washes out several times a year and becomes completely impassable to vehicles. We will post flash flood closure updates to our Facebook page and we will reopen the preserve when it is safe to do so. Follow the link below for the current forecast

Update from the field: Mission Creek Preserve is open. The stream is running with a quite a bit of water as well. Mission Creek Road has minor wash outs on the way up, please drive carefully and watch for hard to see dips and ditches as you approach the gate.

Mission Creek Preserve presents a Wildflower Walk this Saturday, March 30th, 9-11AM! Join naturalists Ann Gary and Caroline Conway for a guided interpretive wal...k among the spring blooms of Mission Creek. Carpooling is encouraged and please bring water and sun protection. There are only 25 spots available so call (760)369-7105 and register today! Participants will meet at the Mission Creek Preserve gate: 60550 Mission Creek Rd, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 **Whitewater Preserve remains completely closed due to flood damage on 2/14.**

Calling all volunteers for Saturday, March 16th! Join Docent LaDonna for a morning of pulling invasive mustard to help protect wildflower habitat and reduce wildfire risk over the summer! Meet at the gate to Mission Creek Preserve on Saturday morning at 8 AM! ... Work will be light-moderate in difficulty. While the ground is wet, the mustard has been relatively easy to pull out. Bring: - Water - Gloves - Snacks - Sun protection - Willingness to get your hands dirty! No reservations necessary for this event. If you have questions, please call our rangers at 760-369-7105 or message us here.

Interested in some guided hikes on the preserve? Join ranger staff on two hikes in Mission Creek Canyon. Both hikes will meet at the Mission Creek Preserve Gate at 9AM. Wednesday, February 6th-... We will be hiking up to the Pacific Crest Trail and overlooking Whitewater and Mission Creek Canyons. This is an easy-moderate 4 mile trail, we will be doing an in -out hike today, so no vehicle shuttle will be needed. Thursday, February 28th- We will hike from Mission Creek Preserve to Whitewater Preserve through the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Moderate difficulty hike with moderate elevation gain; there are some steep downhill portions. This is a one-way, 7.5 mile hike that will require leaving a vehicle at Whitewater Preserve before meeting at Mission Creek. Please come prepared with a jacket, sunscreen, sturdy closed-toed shoes, a snack, and plenty of water. Reservations are required for guided hikes. For more information, please message us here or call our ranger station at (760) 369-7105

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Saharan Mustard (Brassica tournefortii) is spreading across the Preserve and around the Coachella Valley. This invasive weed is not native to California and can have devastating impacts. Saharan Mustard limits and displaces native wildflowers, affects wildlife, and acts as fuel for wildfires. Rangers and volunteers are manually removing these plants from the entrance and road-shoulders of the Preserve. Volunteers will also learn how to identify and remove this plant for their own knowledge. Call (760)369-7105 to sign-up as a volunteer today!

Interested in hiking the West Fork trail to Whitewater Preserve? Join us Thursday, January 24th at 9am for a ranger guided hike to Whitewater Preserve. Please call for reservations, 760-369-7105.

Guided hike on Thursday, January 24th. Join Ranger Rurik Fencl on a 6.5 mile one way hike of moderate difficulty through the San Gorgonio Wilderness. You will need to have a vehicle at both Mission Creek and Whitewater Preserve for this hike. ... We will meet at the Mission Creek Stonehouse and begin hiking at 9am. Please come prepared with a jacket, sunscreen, sturdy closed-toed shoes, a snack, and plenty of water. For more information and to reserve your spot, please call (760) 369-7105

Hi all, As many have noticed or heard, the bighorn sheep population in the San Gorgonios has been having a hard time this winter. The Bureau of Land Management and the California Fish and Wildlife Service will be conducting bighorn sheep population counts and studies. Mission Creek Preserve will be CLOSED to ALL access tomorrow (Monday, March 4th) and Tuesday, March 5th. The preserve will be open as usual on Wednesday, March 6th. ... Thank you for understanding!

Update on flooding: Mission Creek Road was unaffected by the rains, and Mission Creek Preserve is open again.

Mission Creek Preserve will be closed today, January 14th, due to flash flood risk and winter storm warnings up canyon from the preserve. If there is ever a potential for flash flooding at the preserve, we will err on the side of caution and keep the preserve closed. A flash flood is different from normal flooding because it can come quickly with little to no warning. Steep, hilly, or mountainous terrain (like we have up Mission Creek Canyon from the Preserve) can produce r...apid runoff that may lead to flash flooding. When the water cannot infiltrate the ground it will flow rapidly, and a river that was once dry can be several feet deep within an hour. If you are parked up here while there is a flash flood, there is no guarantee that you will make back to town. The road up to the preserve washes out several times a year and becomes completely impassable to vehicles. We will post flash flood closure updates to our Facebook page and we will reopen the preserve when it is safe to do so.

An update on Mission Creek Access! Thanks to the very responsive team at the Riverside County Transportation Department, the large wash out on Mission Creek road is now repaired. Mission Creek Preserve is again open to day hikers and all facilities at the Stonehouse area are available for day use. The access road to the Stonehouse inside the gate did sustain damage and we will resume issuing gate and overnight camping permits once repairs are made. In the meantime, visitors may park outside the main gate and resume hiking. Note- Whitewater Preserve remains closed so we ask that folks respectfully avoid the popular Mission Creek to Whitewater route for now. Kudos to our county roads crews for taking care of this so quickly!

Guided Hike on Wednesday the 19th! Hike from our Mission Creek Preserve to Whitewater Preserve via the Pacific Crest Trail in the Sand to Snow National Monument. This hike is 6.5 miles long and rated moderately difficult. Please be prepared to do a small river crossing during this hike. Meet us at the Stonehouse Picnic Area at our Mission Creek Preserve early as the hike will leave promptly at 9:00 am. ... NOTE: You are REQUIRED to have two vehicles: one parked at Whitewater Preserve and one parked at Mission Creek Preserve. We do not provide transportation from Whitewater back to Mission Creek. Plan accordingly. Suggested Items to Bring - Drinking water - Weather-appropriate clothing (e.g. closed-toed shoes, jackets in cold weather) - Snacks Please call Mission Creek Preserve at (760) 369-7105 to reserve your spot

Mission Creek Preserve will be closed until further notice. The road has been completely washed out by the recent rains and is gone. The attached video and photo were taken around 9:15am on February 14th. It's currently unclear when the road may be repaired and reopened. ... We will update the Mission Creek Preserve page with updates as we have them.

Due to the weather forecast and the potential for flash flooding, we will be CLOSED on Thursday 11/29. For more information please read the post below or call us at (760) 369-7105. A flash flood is a quick and dangerous overflow of water that can sweep away anything in its path including large trees, boulders, and even vehicles. A flash flood is different from normal flooding because it can come quickly with little to no warning. Steep, hilly, or mountainous terrain (like we ...have up Mission Creek Canyon from the Preserve) can produce rapid runoff that may lead to flash flooding. When the water cannot infiltrate the ground it will flow rapidly, and a river that was once dry can be several feet deep within an hour. Here are a few tips to keep you safe in potential flash flood conditions: Be aware of your surroundings watch for dark clouds in the mountains upstream Remember to Turn around, don’t drown. Do not walk or drive through flood waters. Six inches of water can knock down a person and 1 foot of moving water can move a vehicle If you believe a flash flood may occur, move to higher ground If there is ever a potential for flash flooding at the preserve, we will err on the side of caution and keep the preserve closed. We will post flash flood closure updates to our Facebook page and we will reopen the preserve when it is safe to do so.

If you're wondering what creates these chains of holes in the Sycamore trees around the stone house, the culprit is the Sapsucker bird of the family Picidae. These woodpeckers use their beaks to drill holes in the tree bark and then sip the sap found inside.

Give the gift of nature this #GivingTuesday! Your support helps us provide FREE one-of-a-kind nature experiences at our preserves and through our education programs. Visit our GiveGab page to make a donation today. https://www.givegab.com/nonprofits/the-wildlands-conservancy... Check out our #GivingTuesday newsletter to learn about other ways you can get involved with The Wildlands Conservancy. http://mailchi.mp/twc-ca/givingtuesday_2017

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! The Preserve will be open Thanksgiving Day for day-use hiking. If you hike in from the gate, be sure to pack water and sign-in at the kiosk.

Join Ranger staff and other volunteers this Sunday to assist in removing Tamarisk in the riverbed of Mission Creek. This invasive species deposits salt onto the soil surface, impacting the ability for native species to grow, as it spreads across riparian areas and desert washes. Wear sturdy shoes you don't mind getting wet, and bring gloves, water, and sun protection. Participants will walk the riverbed to locate and remove these plants. We will meet at the Preserve Gate at 9:00 AM. Call (760) 369-7105 for more information.

Now is the perfect time to get outside and explore our desert as temperatures fall. Remember to leave these wild lands better then you found them.

Jimsonweed (Datura wrightii) is an ornamental flower of the Solanaceae family. Though it is a relative of tomatoes, eggplant, and bell peppers, it is also highly poisonous. The blooms can often be found though October. Photo Credit: Dylan Collins - CDFW

A female Tarantula Hawk drags her incapacitated prize to her brooding nest before laying a fresh egg on its abdomen. While these wasps derive their energy from plant nectar, females hunt to provide a food source for their newly hatched young. Photo Credit: Dylan Collins - CDFW

Remember that the Preserve is a sanctuary for desert wildlife. If you walk slow and quietly on the West Fork Trail, you never know what you might see. Photo credit: Dylan Collins - CDFW

It's hot! This Roadrunner has the right idea seeking shade under a sycamore tree. If you're planning on visiting Mission Creek in the next few months remember to take plenty of water, tell a friend where you're going, visit at the cooler times of the day, and make sure to sign in or fill out our online permit for access to the Stonehouse.

Happy Memorial Day! We thank all past and current armed service members, and welcome any looking for a peaceful hike in our beautiful desert. We wish everyone an enjoyable and safe holiday.

A Mourning Cloak Butterfly outside the restrooms. You never know what you'll find out in nature with a little careful observation.

It's rattlesnake season at the Preserve. If you encounter one, stop moving, locate the snake and your surroundings, and slowly back away to give it plenty of space. Avoid placing your hands and feet where you can't see them, and stick to well defined trails. Thank you to Doris J. Tanaka and Irene Rosen for these excellent photos.

Incredibly vibrant Wild Canterbury Bells, Phacelia minor, blooming near the creek.

Springtime at Mission Creek. Share your own photos of blooms and beauty you capture while at the Preserve.