Trail Report: Harmony Ranch, Clark's Ranch, Stetson Creek Ranch 10-16-11

[FishPOET]

I have wanted to go on an SBNF apple expedition for a few years. Today was the day and although we knew ahead of time that we would not find any apples (late May freeze ruined the crop) we still had an absolutely wonderful time.

I wrote to Kevin Hauser of Kuffel Creek Apple Nursery and the following information is what he sent me.

http://www.kuffelcreek.com/historicapples.htm

As the nineteenth century pioneers settled the San Bernardino mountains, they brought their apple trees with them by the thousands. Just about every mountain homestead had at least one apple tree, and many had a whole orchard.

Apples were an important part of a settler's life, as apples would be the only fresh fruit over the winter and would be used for cooking, fresh eating, drying, cider (sweet and hard), and vinegar. They were often eaten at every meal.

From Big Bear to Crestline, the log cabins, corrals, and fence posts of these early homesteads are melting away into the forest, rusty relics that are a shadow of their former being. However, tucked away here and there, some of the apple trees still live, bearing apples exactly identical to those the pioneers enjoyed some 100 years ago.

Harmony Ranch crate label.


We met at the Mill Creek Ranger station at 9am this morning. We headed up the hill and parked on Middle Control Road at the entrance to the Santa Ana River Trail. We loaded up our packs and started walking for Harmony Ranch.



We spotted our first apple tree


The original irrigation system


What's left of the barn




An old irrigation gate


An outdoor oven




We reach the main orchard of Harmony Ranch














As we continued exploring the area we came across this old cabin






Fruit Cellar


We had lunch back at the Jeeps and then headed for Clark's Ranch













Poison oak growing in an apple tree


Wild rose hips



After leaving Clark's Ranch we headed for our last stop at Stetson Creek Ranch. They are closed this season
http://www.stetsoncreekranch.com/


Another fabulous day in the forest.

[Mitch]

Doug,

What a great trip you guys had. Interesting history, and it looks like the perfect hiking weather. Thanks for the great pictures and write-up.

Mitch

[Roger]

Don't you want days like that to never end??

[dirtman13]

Looks like a phenomenal trip Doug. Thanks

[Mike]

Hey! I wanna do this trip! Are any of the roads gated right now?

[FishPOET]

Hey! I wanna do this trip! Are any of the roads gated right now?

Only the road to Stetson Creek Ranch is gated as it is private property. Everything else in the area is open.