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  • Riverside, CA

lake mathews

Our hikes to the Temescal / Cajalco Tin Mines: Riverside / Corona

May 5, 2018 by Ole 5 Comments

Back in July 2017, my wife and I went for a short hike in the hills above La Sierra near Lake Mathews. When we got to the top of the first hill, we decided to abandon our planned hike and go in a different direction. A few miles later, we decided to see if we could make it to Corona Crossings. Six or seven miles later, we met our kids at Chick-fil-A for a well-deserved lunch.

Completely by accident, we ended up hiking through the site of the old Temescal / Cajalco tin mines.

I’ve been back out there a bunch of times since our first visit. Here are some pictures:

On our first hike, we found these burned-up cars in a clearing a few miles in from where we started on La Sierra. The cars are gone now, but this is a popular spot for illegal target shooting. I’ve walked through here three times when people were out shooting. Be careful if you venture through here.

I like stopping here for a moment to take in the view. There have been two recent fires in this area. The first picture is from July 2017 and the second is from April 2018.

On to the old tin mining site…

This is a picture from “about 1890” of the tin mining site from a Press Enterprise article:

I hiked back out there today to see if I could get a current picture from the same perspective:

Temescal Tin Mine

According to a post on the History of Corona Facebook page (follow the link for a summary of the history of the tin mines), the tin mines closed in 1892. There are also a few old pictures attached to the post, including this old map of the site:

Here are some pictures of the remaining structures…

Reservoir?

Ore bin?

Smelter? By the way, there is now a big red bullseye (actually, a painting of a ladybug) on the large concrete structure in the middle of the picture. In addition to the clearing I mentioned above, people also use the tin mining site for illegal target practice. I’ve seen or heard people shooting out here a few times, so be careful.

There used to be a large structure at the top of this retaining wall.

You can see this retaining wall toward the bottom right of this picture posted on the History of Corona Facebook page:

If you walk up the steps, watch out for the barbed wire on the ground.

Looking down the steps.

Remnants of another structure.

The old Temescal / Cajalco tin mines in Corona, CA.

There are three fenced-off mine openings in the immediate area. Here are a few of them:

This old structure…

… appears to be one of the buildings near the right of this picture from Corona Public Library’s website:

I’m always on the lookout for wildlife when I go on my hikes, and was surprised to see this guy out at the tin mines back in November of last year.

Update: April 2020 – My wife and I also saw this guy or girl near one of the mines. We think it is a red diamond rattlesnake.

This hill is to the west of the tin mining site. Although I don’t know the actual name of the hill, I call it “Tin Hill”. The flag is a new addition that we noticed on a recent visit.

I hiked to the top of this hill back in November 2017. The side I climbed is covered in loose rock and I almost fell a few times. There is actually a path on the other side of the hill. Oops.

The view of the old tin mining site from the top of “Tin Hill”:

Temescal Tin Mine

By the way, bring plenty of water. I let myself get in trouble once on a very hot day out here. Thankfully, a freak thunderstorm saved me.

View this post on Instagram

While looking at pictures from past visits to the old Temescal tin mines to share on my website, I was reminded of one of my scariest hikes. On 8/1/17, I solo hiked out to the tin mines on a crazy hot day… up to 107 degrees per my Garmin. I used up all of my water, had no shade, and eventually completely ran out of energy. As I sat on a hill dehydrated and completely out of gas, I was genuinely nervous. Thankfully, a thunderstorm came along and saved the day. The cool weather and rain gave me a much needed second wind. This hike changed my preparation. Now, I always carry more than enough water, energy gel or granola bars, an umbrella for shade and a cell phone charger in case I get stuck and need my phone for an emergency. #hikeriverside #riversideca #lakemathews #hikeinlandempire #hiking

A post shared by Kris (@krisinriverside) on Apr 29, 2018 at 8:21pm PDT

Looking for more hiking spots in and around Riverside? Check out our list of Places to Hike in Riverside and Beyond. #hikeriverside

Filed Under: Animals and Nature, Hiking Tagged With: cajalco tin mine, hike riverside, hiking, hiking trails - riverside ca, lake mathews, riverside hiking, temescal tin mine

Birds of Prey: Osprey and Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews

February 6, 2018 by Ole 5 Comments

My wife spotted an osprey today at Lake Mathews, so I went back with my camera to see if I could get a few pictures. When I arrived, I saw what appeared to be a big bird on a rock in the middle of the lake, but it was too far away for my lens. After I got home and zoomed in on the pictures, I realized it was a bald eagle, not the osprey. Yes, a bald eagle at Lake Mathews.

Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews

Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews
I eventually found the osprey…

Osprey at Lake Mathews

Osprey at Lake Mathews

Osprey at Lake Mathews
Osprey at Lake Mathews
Osprey at Lake Mathews
Osprey at Lake Mathews

We saw bald eagles at Lake Mathews once before back in January 2016:

Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews

We saw two eagles that day, but we could only get close enough to one of them to get any decent pictures. Unfortunately, we were still too far away to get good pictures. Hopefully that will change some day.

Additional info…

Some facts about bald eagles:

Distinguished by a white head and white tail feathers, bald eagles are powerful, brown birds that may weigh 14 pounds and have a wingspan of 8 feet. Male eagles are smaller, weighing as much as 10 pounds and have a wingspan of 6 feet. […]

Bald Eagles live near rivers, lakes, and marshes where they can find fish, their staple food. Bald Eagles will also feed on waterfowl, turtles, rabbits, snakes, and other small animals and carrion. […]

Bald Eagles may live 15 to 25 years in the wild, longer in captivity.

Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Excerpts from the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act:

The Congress finds as follows:
(1) The bald eagle was designated as the national emblem of the United States on June 20, 1782, by our country’s Founding Fathers at the Second Continental Congress.
(2) The bald eagle is the greatest visible symbol of the spirit of freedom and democracy in the world.
(3) The bald eagle species is unique to North America and represents the American values and attributes of freedom, courage, strength, spirit, loyalty, justice, equality, democracy, quality, and excellence.

Source: American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act

Some facts about ospreys:

The osprey (Pandion haliaetus)—also known as the sea hawk, fish eagle, river hawk or fish hawk—is a large raptor, reaching more than 24 inches in length with a wingspan of up to 71 inches. As its other names suggest, the osprey’s diet consists almost exclusively of fish—up to 99% fish. […]

The typical lifespan of an osprey is 7–10 years, though rarely individuals can grow to as old as 20–25 years.

Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Filed Under: Animals Tagged With: bald eagle, lake mathews, osprey

Happy New Year! A Few Random Pictures from the First Morning of 2017

January 1, 2017 by Ole 6 Comments

The first sunrise of 2017. The view from Lake Mathews in Riverside, California.

The First Sunrise of 2017 over Lake Mathews

A seemingly fat and happy hawk overlooking “A” Street / Citrus Heights Drive in Riverside, California.

A seemingly fat and happy hawk

A seemingly fat and happy hawk

A millipede crossing “A” Street / Citrus Heights Drive in Riverside, California.

Millipede Crossing "A" Street in Riverside, CA

Hope everyone has a great 2017.

Filed Under: Animals, Sights, Uncategorized Tagged With: birds, hawk, inland empire, inland empire hiking, lake mathews, riverside california, riverside hiking, sunrise

Planes Over Lake Mathews – 04/30/2016

April 30, 2016 by Ole Leave a Comment

I was treated to a mini air show today over Lake Mathews.

It seemed to be an air-to-air photography session. The planes were too high to get good pictures from the ground, but I still tried…

Airplanes over Lake Mathews 04/30/2016

If you know anything about any of these planes, please let me know. I’ll try to research the ones that have identification.

Airplanes over Lake Mathews 04/30/2016

Airplanes over Lake Mathews 04/30/2016

Airplanes over Lake Mathews 04/30/2016

How do you get this photography job? Awesome.

Airplanes over Lake Mathews 04/30/2016

Airplanes over Lake Mathews 04/30/2016

Airplanes over Lake Mathews 04/30/2016

Airplanes over Lake Mathews 04/30/2016

RPD showed up too.

Airplanes over Lake Mathews 04/30/2016

Airplanes over Lake Mathews 04/30/2016

Airplanes over Lake Mathews 04/30/2016

Airplanes over Lake Mathews 04/30/2016

Filed Under: Sights Tagged With: air show, airplane, lake mathews

Belted Kingfisher, Red-Winged Blackbird and Osprey

March 14, 2016 by Ole 2 Comments

My wife has a knack for spotting interesting birds.

In addition to the bald eagles she found a few months ago, she has spotted a tagged turkey vulture and an osprey while driving over the Lake Mathews dam.

I had a camera with me yesterday when she pointed out some birds, so we stopped to take a few pictures. We aren’t bird experts, so please let me if I found the wrong names on the Internet.

Female Belted Kingfisher:

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Male Red-winged Blackbirds:

Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird

I took the pictures above with a point and shoot camera. Unfortunately, I didn’t even have that with me when we saw an Osprey last December.

Osprey at Lake Mathews

Osprey at Lake Mathews

Filed Under: Animals Tagged With: belted kingfisher, birds, lake mathews, osprey, red-winged blackbird

Bald Eagle Sighting at Lake Mathews – Jan 20, 2016

January 20, 2016 by Ole 1 Comment

Driving by Lake Mathews today, my wife yelled, “There they are!”

She was referring to the bald eagles we have heard about that nest at Lake Mathews during the winter. Here is the iPhone picture I snapped when we pulled over:

Bald Eagles at Lake Mathews

We immediately turned around and headed home to grab our cameras.  When we returned, we were fortunate that this beautiful bald eagle was still hanging around enjoying a meal:  

Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews

Just as I was walking along the roadway to try a different vantage point, the eagle flew away…

Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews

Fortunately, the eagle landed on the Cajalco side of the dam. Although we couldn’t get close enough to get great pictures, we still managed to get a few that were decent enough to post:

Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews

Seeing our national emblem out in the wild was such a great experience.

“The Congress finds as follows: (1) The bald eagle was designated as the national emblem of the United States on June 20, 1782, by our country’s Founding Fathers at the Second Continental Congress. – From the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act

Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews

A few facts from The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service:

Distinguished by a white head and white tail feathers, bald eagles are powerful, brown birds that may weigh 14 pounds and have a wingspan of 8 feet. Male eagles are smaller, weighing as much as 10 pounds and have a wingspan of 6 feet. […]

Eagles mate for life, choosing the tops of large trees to build nests, which they typically use and enlarge each year. Nests may reach 10 feet across and weigh a half ton. They may also have one or more alternate nests within their breeding territory. […]

Bald Eagles may live 15 to 25 years in the wild, longer in captivity.

Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews

After watching this beautiful creature for a few moments, it flew away.

Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews
Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews
Bald Eagle at Lake Mathews

Filed Under: Animals, Sights Tagged With: bald eagle, birds, lake mathews

Sights: Turkey Vultures at Lake Mathews Dam

July 31, 2010 by Ole 3 Comments

We saw these turkey vultures flying over Lake Mathews Dam a few days ago. My wife had her camera with her so we decided to stop and take a few pictures.

We were curious about the bird with the wing tag so I consulted google and found a conservation site that had pictures of other turkey vultures tagged with white wing tags. I eventually found out that this bird was tagged in the summer of 2009 either at Irvine Lake in Orange County or at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area.

I also found a site operated by the U.S. Geological Survey that lets you report sightings of tagged birds.  So if you see a tagged bird, visit www.reportband.gov/.

Filed Under: Animals, Sights Tagged With: birds, lake mathews, turkey vulture

Sights: McKinley Fire

May 23, 2010 by Ole Leave a Comment

I took this picture on May 21st looking west from Mathews (Lake Mathews) dam.

Thank you to all of the firefighters and emergency personnel who kept the McKinley Fire from harming any people or homes.

From the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection website as of 05/23/2010:

Name: McKinley Fire
County: Riverside County
Location: McKinley St and Indiana Ave near Home Gardens, east of Corona
Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire
Status/Notes: 1,028 acres – 100% containment
Date Started: May 20, 2010 12:48 pm
Last update: May 21, 2010 6:30 pm

Filed Under: Fire, Sights Tagged With: first responders, lake mathews, mckinley fire

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