A few years ago I found with my wife the great day trip destination in San Gorgonio mountains – Whitewater Preserve. Last winter we could not arrange a visit there as the preserve was closed many times due to several reasons – wild dogs roaming around, flash flood risks and generally raining. When we left Palm Springs in the beginning of February 2019 nobody could realize something much worse was to happen.
During Valentine’s Day the raining was worse than anytime within 70 years. This storm severely hit many roads in Coachella Valley and also mountain areas some highways were closed for months when the floods totally collapsed some highways. Damages in Whitewater Preserve as also very bad and it was closed after this storm to public up to 1st November when the road and trail repairs had been done. Even now you notice how huge land masses, rocks and dead trees the flooding had moved around. The bridge at Whitewater Canyon Road across Whitewater River in the preserve was partly washed and the rivercrossing full of soil and rocks.
Now the bridge has been built, having more space for the river flow and also wider than the previous bridge. Also part of the road before the bridge was damaged and it has now been repaired and has a new asfalt on it. There are now more restrictions than before to park by the road, obviously due to risks if flash flooding would appear.
We took a hike along Canyon Loop Trail to see how everything else looked like now. Of course mostly the preserve and the trail look much the same as before. Some parts of the trail in the canyon floor have however been redirected as the river carved new paths to run and also removed huge amounts of soil in the valley. The heavy rains also did their work on the trails especially in places were there are deeper slopes: much of the sand is gone and the path is now rocky and not as flat as before. Time will probably also make them ok.
Whitewater Preserve is now in the autumn colours and sunny days are still warm there for picknicing or hiking. I really think it is a nature lovers’ gem in clsoe to San Gorgonio wilderness. The attached photo do not really show how great it is, surrounded by snowy mountain tops. If you are anywhere around Coachella Valley take a trip there to experience it for real!
