Wind Wolves Preserve

I will preface this post with the following information:  1.)  My adventures are usually by myself with my kids since my dear husband works so much to provide for our family.  2.)  My boys are ages 2 1/2 and just days shy of 4 and VERY energetic.


I will be the first to admit that taking two little ones out on adventures is less than an easy-going and carefree experience.  There's the "Mom, my butt hurts.  Are we there yet?  Can I have a snack?  Where are we going?" all in the car.  Then when you get there, "Can we go eat our lunch now?  My legs are tired."  Not to mention packing extra clothes, wipes, diapers, and everything else for the "what-ifs" that come along with small children.  However, when it's all said and done, everyone got out of the house for an adventure, saw some beautiful country, and got some exercise in the mean time.  What could be better than these wonderful memories?


The Wind Wolves Preserve is nestled in the southern part of the Valley.   The entrance road is just off Hwy 166.  As you drive the 166 you wonder if you're lost as you pass orchard after orchard or almonds and oranges and an array of green fields.  The occasional taco truck lets you know you're not alone and if you're hungry, eat now.  (Although it's not advisable to go this far without properly packing your vehicle with lots of water and food.  There are no amenities other than toilets at the preserve.)  Then suddenly the sign pops out of nowhere just past an orange orchard on the south side of the road.  


Saturday was an incredibly beautiful day here in the valley and I wanted to take full advantage.  The sun was shining and temperatures reached the 70s.  Wind Wolves Preserve is a great place to get out for a quick hike and a picnic.  The trails are developed and perfect for little legs who are learning to follow trails and learning to walk on their own.  It's easy enough too for parents who have a hiking backpack or need to pick up the munchkin mid-hike.  

Since it has been a dry winter, the area is markedly dry and brown, but don't let that fool you.  There is still plenty to see.  At the San Emigidio Canyon Trailhead you will find a lovely picnic area with flowing water adjacent.  The Trail itself follows the creek below.  You will find squirrels frolicking in the distance.  Ravens tend to frequent the area as any where else in the Valley.  We were lucky enough   to observe a red-tailed hawk on the hunt as well as a herd of mule deer.  

My kids were fortunate to learn life lessons--that animals eat other animals--as was evidenced by the two spinal pieces found on the trail.  They also learned simple lessons in texture by utilizing the various rocks along the path and touching them to include the lichen attached to some.  Unfortunately the dry grass was a lesson for them to remind them to leave the area as we found it; as they were pulling up the grass, they found that the grass had the same effect paper does when it slides through your hand--it can cut you.

All in all it was also wonderful to see blue skies, breathe in fresh air, and see a part of the valley that not many frequent.  
For more information on the Wind Wolves Preserve and the Wildlands Conservancy visit: http://wildlandsconservancy.org/preserve_windwolves.html