10 Year Freeway Complex Fire Commemoration Event This Weekend

Marking the ten-year anniversary of the Freeway Complex Fire, which roared through much of Carbon Canyon and nearby areas in November 2008 and particularly timely given the massive wildfires that have burned throughout the state this month, Hills for Everyone, the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council and the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association are sponsoring a commemoration event of the fire this weekend.

Held Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center at 4500 Carbon Canyon Road in Brea, the free event includes exhibits of photos, videos, memorabilia, posters and other materials documenting and discussing the fire.  Fire fighting vehicles will be displayed by the Chino Valley and Brea-Fullerton fire departments.

On Saturday from 1-2 p.m., there will be a special presentation by Nature of Wildworks, which will bring native wildlife to vividly show first-hand the impacts the fire, which burned more than 30,000 acres (including 95% of the state park) in four counties and destroyed over 280 houses, had on wildlife.

Sadly, devastating wildfires are becoming a normal feature of life in California as climate change, rapid population growth, and expansion of housing in wildland areas continue.  Carbon Canyon is a microcosm of the risks the interplay of these three facets pose, especially as a new 107-unit project, Hidden Oaks, is expected to be brought before the City of Chino Hills in 2019.  This event will bring needed attention to what wildfires mean, not just in looking back, but in seeing forward.

Chino Hills State Park Astronomy Event Was Far Out!

Last weekend's "Meet the Night Sky" event, sponsored by the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association and held at the Rolling M Ranch in the heart of the park, was a fascinating peek into the mid-boggling wonders of the size and complexity of the universe.

Led by Jeff Schroeder, who conducted the same program last year, the evening featured his illustrated presentation that put the size of the universe and the distances between components of it in terms of relative scale that could be understood.

Jeff Schroeder gives a fascinating talk last Saturday night on the size, scale and scope of the universe to a large crowd in the amphitheater at the Rolling M Ranch in Chino Hills State Park.

The talk also emphasized that, despite the amazing work that has been done in space exploration in recent years, our understanding of our universe is very limited.  Still, what has been learned is amazing in terms of coming to terms with our infinitesimally small place in an ever-expanding universe.

Before the talk, while it was still light and while there was still a good deal of air turbulence from our planet's surface heat that affected the clarity of the viewing, Schroeder had his home-built telescope set up on top of his Volvo station wagon, so that guests could get a still-remarkable view of the surface of the moon, which happened to be full that evening.  Schroeder's way of expressing the magnification was that the smallest item viewed through the scope was something on the order of several (5, perhaps) miles across.

Before Jeff's talk, guests could look through the large telescope, which he built himself and which was mounted on his Volvo station wagon, and get a good view of the surface of the moon, despite air turbulence from the surface heat here on earth.  After his discussion and when it was dark, views of Saturn, its rings, and two of the moons were visible--an experience few get to have.

Then, after his presentation, when it quite dark out, especially given the ranch's location, he directed his scope at the plant Saturn, which could be seen with its rings, as well as two of the planet's moons to the lower left.  For those of us who have never had the opportunity to see something like this, it was definitely worth the long wait in line.

This event is another example of just how valuable Chino Hills State Park (which was earmarked at various times for an international airport and a freeway, much less housing) is for our local area and how great it is to see the interpretive association put on programs that educate and entertain.  It was really a fun evening.

Meet the Night Sky at Chino Hills State Park

On Saturday, 13 August @ 7:30 p.m., the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association is hosting "Meet the Night Sky" in which participants will "learn about the scale of the universe and our place in it."

Jeff Schroeder, a founding member of the Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers group some forty-five years ago and who retired not long ago after thirty-five years as an optical engineer and flight technician at JPL (the Jet Propulsion Laboratory run by NASA) in Pasadena, is the special guest speaker.

Schroeder, whose work involved such projects as the Galileo and Cassini space missions, the Infrared Astronomy Satellite, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory and more, has also, for thrity-six years, been a lecturer and show producer at the Mount San Antonio College planetariu,  Finally, he is a part-time operator of the massive 60" and 100" telescopes at the Mount Wilson Observatory.

Attendance to this event is limited to the first 250 people who register for the event here.  The program will end about Midnight and will be held at the Rolling M Ranch, which is accessible from 4721 Sapphire Road in Chino Hills and then, after paying the $5 park use fee at the entrance, driving along the Upper Bane Canyon Road to the ranch.

The adjacent campground is also available for participants who want to enjoy the park overnight, with sites available with additional fees on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more park information, click here.

Chino Hills State Park Replanting Project

This morning, Chino Hills State Park and the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association sponsored a replanting project at the Rolling M Ranch headquarters.

A cadre of about fifteen volunteers, as well as park rangers, worked on installing a few dozen native plants, pulled weeds, pruned bushes, and prepared areas adjacent to walkways for seeds of flowering plants.

The group worked hard for a good three hours or so, sharing responsibilities and working in an organized, coordinated way to get the work done efficiently.

This volunteer project was a great way for local residents from Chino, West Covina, Chino Hills, Yorba Linda and Placentia to help improve this jewel of a park and give something to their community.

After the project was completed, boxed lunches were provided and hungry workers ate under the shade of large pepper trees next to the ranch barn.

All in all, it was a nice way to spend a Saturday morning, so thanks to officers of CHSPIA and the state park's rangers for organizing the project.

Chino Hills State Park Native Plant Restoration Project

A great opportunity to volunteer at Chino Hills State Park is coming up on Saturday, 14 November from 8 a.m. to Noon.

A native plant trail restoration project at the Rolling M Ranch, involving new plantings, the pruning and trimming of existing plants, and the spreading of mulch and seeds are among the components.

Participants are asked to wear comfortable outdoor work clothes, including what will work for light rain, during which the project will still occur (though heavy rain or red flag conditions denoting an extreme fire risk will call for a postponement.)  Lunch is provided, as well.

The project is limited to the first 25 persons who respond, so send an email to: eric@ChinoHillsStatePark.org or call 714.524.0757 to sign up.

Access to the work site is from the state park entrance in Chino Hills off Sapphire Road near Soquel Canyon Parkway and then via the recently-reopened and improved Bane Canyon Road.  Rolling M Ranch is at the end of the road.

This event is sponsored by California State Parks and Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association and funding is made available by Toyota Motor Corporation through the National Environmental Educational Foundation.

Carbon Canyon Regional Park's 40th Anniversary Bash

Booths at the Carbon Canyon Regional Park's 40th Anniversary event today.

Today was a very nice event at the redwood grove deep in a corner of one of our area's great treasures, Carbon Canyon Regional Park, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Set in a clearing among nearly 250 redwood trees planted on space leased to the county from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which built the adjacent Carbon Canyon Dam, the confab featured such organizations as the state Department of Fish and Game, California State Parks and the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association, the Olinda Oil Museum, and others.

More displays at today's bash.

Live animal shows were given, there was face painting, and a really creative balloon maker, and hot dogs, hamburgers and chips were served to all guests.

Orange County Historical Commission member Pamela Harrell and former Olinda resident Jack Smith spoke about the Olinda Museum and the oil community in which Smith lived.  In fact, his family in 1943 bought a home built by the Armstrong family, for whom a grove of trees at the northeast corner of the park was named.

The folks at the Olinda Oil Museum, including former Olinda resident Jack Smith and Orange County Historical Commission member Pamela Harrell, at their booth, with two of their displays at the left.

Situated at the corner of Carbon Canyon Road and Traverse Street, which went a short distance to the south in what is now the park grounds, the home was where Smith lived while he was the last student to graduate from the Olinda School and up until he finished high school.  He is a walking memory book of an oil town that has long been dismantled.

The live animal demonstration was really interesting and kept kids and adults engrossed while the presenters talked about a variety of snakes and reptiles.

A presentation  of snakes and reptiles drew the attention of many attendees at today's festivities.

This blogger also gave a 15-minute presentation about Carbon Canyon history, giving a highlight reel of sorts about everything from the formation of the canyon by receding glaciers to the founding of Olinda Ranch by William H. Bailey, to the establishment of La Vida Mineral Springs, to the gradual addition of housing developments and on up to current issues.

A table provided by Orange County Parks featured collected items (all of which have been included in this blog over the last seven years), such as some two dozen postcards of La Vida and other canyon sights, mineral water soda bottles from the La Vida Bottling Company, maps of the Olinda oil field and a AAA "strip map" of a drive through Carbon Canyon; and more.

This blogger's display of historic real photo postcards, La Vida mineral water bottles, maps of Olinda and Carbon Canyon Road, and other items were available for visitors to enjoy.

Even though housing developments have surrounded much of the redwood grove, the walk out from the main portion of the park and time spent strolling through the grove still give a feel of being "away from it all."

One of the two recently-installed display boards noted that a local bank, back in 1970, was giving away redwood seedlings to new customers, which has to be one of the strangest promotions imaginable, in light of the usual calendar, pen-and-pencil set, paperweight, and so on that were handed out.

Other than their smaller size and lighter color, these trees look like they could be from the northwestern reaches of California, where redwoods are natives.

The leftover seedlings were donated to the county, which planted them at the park site.  A total of 241 trees survived and, though they don't get as tall or as green as those in the native northern California groves, they've done pretty well in our arid environment, with the tallest tree topping out at 92 feet.

The park has many amenities, included a goodly number of tennis courts, lots of shelters for family picnics (there were at least two family reunions going on today), excellent playgrounds, and a nice lake.

Completed just within the last three weeks, this path fence provides for a nice addition to the beautiful redwood grove at the southeast corner of the park.

But, the redwood grove, hidden away as it is, has to be the park's most interesting and surprising feature.  It's been years since the last visit there and more regular jaunts out there are definitely in the offing.

Thanks to park superintendent Maureen Beckman and all the rangers, volunteers and others who put on this event.  It was a lot of fun and who knows who'll be around for the 50th anniversary?

The approach to and from the grove includes a crossing at what is called "Coyote Pass" through the now-parched bed of Carbon [Canyon] Creek.  The view here is back towards Carbon Canyon.

Chino Hills State Park Tour of the Stars a Big Success!

Jeff Schroeder of Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers addresses an overflow crowd at the Rolling M Ranch amphitheater.  Photos courtesy of Hills for Everyone.

This past Saturday evening's program organized by the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association and concerning a "tour of the stars" was a trememdous hit as more than 350 persons attended the event.

Jeff Schroeder of the Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers led the "tour" and it was reported that people were arriving as late as 11 p.m., just an hour before the conclusion.  All available parking spots were snapped up and every seat on the benches of the Rolling M Ranch amphitheater was occupied, with people sitting on the concrete floor and standing four-deep on the perimeter!

Volvos are not only renowned for safety but apparently make excellent telescope platforms!

Guests waited in lines that wrapped around the parking area to get a look at the evening sky through telescopes--the location was particularly good for viewing the stars as the elevation and distance from nearby developed locations kept ambient light at as low a level as you can get in the area.

One organizer state that it was "quite a night" and that the remarkable turnout and accompanying interest demonstrates that "there was a real hunger for darkness/stars and information."

Guests view a display of meteorites at last Saturday's astronomy event.

This blogger was really hoping to be there with the family, but was out of town.  Maybe there will be an encore offered in the not-too-distant future.

Chino Hills State Park Astronomy Event on 15 August!

Here's another great educational event offered by the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association.  On Saturday , 15 August from 7:30 p.m. to Midnight, join Jeff Schroeder, a retired optical engineer and flight technicial at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a founding member of the Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers, for a tour of the evening sky, including stars, the Perseids Meteor Showers, which will be at its best viewing during that time, and other fascinating objects.  A display of meteorites will also be exhibited.

Schroeder not only has years of experience at JPL and as an amateur astronomer, but he has over three decades of background as a lecturer and producer of shows at the Mount San Antonio College Planetarium and is a part-time operator of two massive telescopes at the historic Mount Wilson Observatory.  With some of that calibre, this should be a fantastic program.

The free event (though park use fees may apply) will be held at the Rolling M Ranch, three miles off the brand new Bane Canyon Road entrance off Sapphire Road, near Soquel Canyon Parkway, in Chino Hills.  If there is rain (and who knows these days?) or red flag conditions for fire (and who knows these days?), the event will be cancelled.

Those interested in staying at the adjacent campground can do so on a first come, first served basis.

For more information, click on www.ChinoHillsStatePark.org.

Reopening Bane Canyon Entrance to Chino Hills State Park

A view of many of the exhibitors at today's event.

This morning's event to commemorate the opening of the Bane Canyon Road entrance to Chino Hills State Park was a nice event with visitors able to take guided nature tours and mountain bike rides, participate in children's activities including face painting, and visit with a variety of exhibitors, including California State Parks, Hills for Everyone, the cities of Chino and Chino Hills, Chino Valley Independent Fire District, Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association, West Valley Search and Rescue, Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council and more.

West Valley Search and Rescue had a cool demonstration interactive showing a 9-1 pulley system that allows for pulling rescue stretchers up steep inclines.  Here, a 9-year old girl uses that system to show her father what's what.

The event went from 9 a.m. to Noon and though the weather was humid and a bit warm early on, storm clouds rolled in, the temperature cooled and there were even a few drops of rain, though conditions remained largely dry.

Representatives from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife had an impressive display of mounted animals, including a small brown bear, a bobcat, and a coyote.

The new road was something to behold, especially for those who were used to the old thoroughfare, which was dirt and gravel for about two miles and ran close to a creek, including direct crossings of that course.

Claire Schlotterbeck, executive director of Hills for Everyone, which was a founding entity of the state park, discusses local projects the organization is engaged in with a visitor.

Now, the route has been diverted away from the creek to the east and the work involved a good deal of grading and retaining, guard rails, and other improvements, including some picnic shelters and view points.

Members of the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council shared information about its work in promoting wildfire awareness.

The three miles to the Rolling M Ranch headquarters, next to which is the campground, is so much easier to travel, making the heart of the park much more accessible.

Chino Hills State Park Bane Canyon Entrance Reopening This Saturday!

A portion of the newly-completed and vastly improved Bane Canyon Road entrance to Chino Hills State Park.  Click on any image to see them enlarged in a new window.  Photos courtesy of Hills for Everyone.

For the last couple of years, Bane Canyon Road, the only drive-in entrance to the heart of the 14,000-acre Chino Hills State Park and the access point to the ranch, barn and campgrounds, was closed for a major rerouting and repaving.

Now, the project is completed and a celebration is being held this Saturday, 27 June with visitors encouraged to come by anytime from 9 a.m. to Noon to mark the reopening. The free event is sponsored by California State Parks, the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association, and Hills for Everyone.  Sponsorship is provided from Toyota through the National Environmental Education Foundation.

A beautiful panorama of the topography embodying the oak and walnut woodland habitat found at Chino Hills State Park. 

After driving the three-mile route from the Bane Canyon Road entrance off 4721 Sapphire Road in Chino Hills, guests will come to the Rolling M Ranch, which serves as park headquarters, where the event will feature such activities as:

• a native plant walk of the diverse palette found in the park
• an interpretive hike of the park's natural and historic features
• a bike ride through sections of the park
• seeing a fire engine from the local Chino Valley Independent Fire District
• crafts for kids
• face-painting
• light refreshments
• informational booths from such organizations as
• California State Park
• Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association
• Chino Valley Independent Fire District
• the cities of Chino and Chino Hills
• Hills for Everyone
• Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council

The completion of this major project now allows for greater access to this gem of a local urban park, which provides so many opportunities to enjoy a significant portion of our remaining oak and walnut woodland habitat.

This covered picnic area is one of many new improvements from the Bane Canyon Road project.

So, come down and check out the new roadway and the improved access to the park!

Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center Open House This Saturday!

This Saturday the 22nd from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be an Open House at the Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center at 4500 Carbon Canyon Road in Brea.

Sponsored by California State Parks, the local environmental advocacy group Hills for Everyone, and the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association, the event also received funding from Toyota Motor Company through the National Environmental Education Foundation for the schedule of activities. These include:

• Information booths for organizations like the sponsors as well as the California Department of Fish and Game, Orange County Parks, the federal department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Brea/Fullerton fire department; 
• Three 25-minute ranger-led interpretive programs on mountain lions (10:15-10;40), adapatable coyotes (11:15-11:40), and rattlesnakes (12:15-12:40)
• A ranger-guided mountain bike ride at 10:30; 
• Three 20-minute walks on the center's interpretive trail at 10:15, 11:15, and 12:15 led by a state parks interpretive scientist;
• Face-painting throughout the event;
• Kids' crafts from 10:30-12:30; and
• A photo booth from 10:30-12:30

The combined Brea and Fullerton fire department will also have a fire engine on display and visitors who love the center and the park can sign-up to be a volunteer.

For more information, please click here for the Hills for Everyone Web site.

Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center Exhibit Opening

Tables for the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association, Hills for Everyone and other groups greeted visitors to the official opening of the state park's Discovery Center exhibit.

Last Saturday morning, the Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center officially opened its exhibit space to the public, after a lengthy delay following the center's opening some time ago.  In front of the facility were tables from California State Parks, the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association, and Hills for Everyone, the latter association being the driving force in preserving the land that became the park nearly 35 years ago.

Discovery Center exhibit components like this great contour map of the state park and surrounding areas give a vivid picture of the park's ecosystem, plant and animal life, recreational opportunities and overall value in a highly-developed megalopolis.

First, encouraged to check out a PowerPoint-aided lecture, a detour was taken into the multi-purpose space across the entry plaza.  California State Parks historian James Newland gave an interesting talk on the many political, economic and other issues surrounding the designation of Yosemite as the first state park in 1864, though problems with its management led to its reassignment under the fledgling national park system several decades later.

High-quality interactives abound, including microscopic views of animal life and this light-up display showing the habitat of different animal species within the park--in this case, the very broad sweep of habitat occupied by mountain lions throughout the 14,000-acre park and beyond.  This is a major reason to preserve as much of the Puente-Chino Hills complex to allow for habitat preservation for all kinds of plant and animal species.

Newland pointed out that the Republican Party took advantage of its Civil War-era dominance in California to push the project to make Yosermite a park with Congress and that identifying the connections between politicians, landowners near the site, and others were crucial to understanding how the project was pursued.

Another interesting interactive feature allows for viewing under magnification some of the insects found within the Chino Hills State Park area.

Although the creation of Yosemite as a park was not as altruistic as some interpretations have stated, Newland's main point was that "it got done" and the designation set the template for what has been called "America's best idea," that is, the creation of the national parks system (though Newland was quick to add that the 280-plus California State Parks system is pretty amazing, as well, provided it gets adequate funding.)

A microscope allows visitors to view some of the smaller inhabitants of the diverse ecosystem within the park.

Then, it was on to the exhibit, which was in a space that was not particularly large, perhaps around 700-800 square feet, but it was well laid out, provided interesting comparisons and contrasts with the park and the urban spaces around it and gave good information on the flora and fauna to be found in the 14,000-plus acre park.

A particularly important component of the exhibit was the "Living on the Urban Edge" section, discussing the interactions of the wildlands in the natural environment and the densely populated and heavily developed suburban region around it.  This area was very well thought out and executed.

Interactives abounded, including magnified examples of plant and animal life located in the park, a light-up map showing the range of habitat for certain animals, such as the mountain lion, and others showing the impact of suburbia on the natural environment.  There is plenty for kids of all ages to see and do as they learn about the park and the local environment.

Another crucial element to the displays concerned the devastating effects of wildfire, particularly with continuing suburban encroachment on wildland areas, such as within the state park.  

There was little about social or cultural history, though some mention of native Indians (though the use of the term Tongva to denote the aboriginal people is being seriously called into question as several groups of Gabrieleno Indians claim legitimacy,) but, given the fact that the park is largely based on its natural features, the focus on plant and animal life makes sense.

With all of the great material indoors, it shouldn't be forgotten that improvements have been made to the short nature trail just outside the Discovery Center, with new signage such as this that further discuss the important interrelationships between the natural and built environments.  It's easy to poke fun or dismiss the "circle of life," but the truth is that we're very closely connected to the plant and animal habitats we assume we "control."

In all, the exhibit is a thoughtfully-planned and well-executed orientation that gives visitors a good overview of a true gem amid our expanding megalopolis and it's light years advanced from the time of static exhibits that used to be (well, still can be in many cases) standard at park sites.  The folks at State Parks are to be commended for crafting something that works better with changing learning styles, interests and ways of accessing information.

Even with our drought-parched landscape, the Carbon Canyon/Soquel Canyon intersection provides a beautiful setting for the Discovery Center.  The clear blue sky and collection of cloud formations added to the scenery.

Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center Open House This Saturday

This Saturday, 1 October from 9 to 11:30 a.m., there will be an open house at the new Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center at 4500 Carbon Canyon Road, adjacent to Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea.  Though there was a "soft opening" a few months back, this is the official kick-off for those portions of the building that are finished.  The exhibit galleries are awaiting completion, but other sections will be available for viewing and there is a self-guided nature trail to explore, as well.

Also of note is an event the weekend of 8-9 October over at the Rolling M Ranch section of the park in Chino Hills in which there will be an evening program on owls at 7 p.m. on Saturday night as well as an overnight camping outing at the group camp on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  While the owl program is free (with a $4 parking fee to enter the park), the camping outing is $10 per person or $8 for groups of four or more. 

Meantime, remember that anyone wanting to hike, bike, or run in the state park can park on the site and use the restrooms during the normal operating hours of the park.

For the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association Web page concerning this event, please click here.  For the owl program and camping opportunity, please click here.