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Pacific Crest Trail Desert Series LbNA #12546

Owner:Lee & Nancy
Plant date:Dec 4, 2004
Location:
City:San Bernardino
County:San Bernardino
State:California
Boxes:4
Found by: Kelsung (4)
Last found:Feb 24, 2012
Status:FFFFFFFOF
Last edited:Sep 3, 2019
09/01/2019 – Updated clues after replacing series

This section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) has easy access and is an easy hike with some long uphill sections. The round trip distance is about 3 miles. Exit Interstate 15 at Hwy 138 and head north towards Silverwood Lake and turn right immediately onto Wagon Train Road past the McDonalds restaurant to the end of the road and park.

#1 Toad.
Begin up the trail, and soon you will see an old bridge foundation. From the beginning corner of the foundation, go 12 steps on a heading of 270 degrees, to a small rock about 4 feet up the hill. The toad is located on the back side under a smaller rock.

#2 Tortoise.
Continue up the trail. The canyon opens up after 10 minutes or so, and you may have to cross a small creek, a short distance further. The trail eventually is intersected by a road. Just before you get to the road, the tortoise is on top the hill to your left next to bush under a rock. Do not climb the hill, instead go back around.

#3 Rattlesnake.
Continue on the trail across the road (if flooded, you can go right and up the road until it meets back up with the trail) the trail crosses the road and goes under a large power tower, and crosses the road again before a fence begins along the trail to your right. The rattlesnake is near the 20th fence post next to a large rock by the fence, under a smaller rock. Always check for real snakes before sticking your hands in rocks and bushes.

#4 Scorpion.
Continue up the trail, you will pass through a burnt gate/fence-opening, before coming to another road. Your destination is the peak up to your left. Continue across the road on the trail as it goes uphill wrapping left around the hill, then through some switchbacks, to a saddle. Go left off trail to the peak. From the peak, the scorpion can be found 5 steps at 300 degrees (NW) behind a small rock under a smaller rock.

Enjoy the predominantly downhill return to the trailhead. When you get to the bottom, you may want to go left, down the asphalt road, to the riverbed and turn right going through the tunnel under the Interstate. This part of the PCT curves to the left looking dark, but does not require a flashlight.