This past Sunday we drove 90 minutes outside of LA to the Western Mojave desert to Saddleback Butte State Park.  Our destination was a short climb up the 3,651’ Saddleback Butte Peak.  This butte dates back to the Cretaceous period about 70 million years ago.  The hike was a short but sweet 3.7 miles round trip with an elevation +/- of 1,020’.  I think the hardest part of this hike was walking through the desert sand.  Once you start climbing up the butte, the trail fades in and out a bit.  There are also some rock scrambles, but they’re pretty easy making the hike a lot of fun.  In the spring, this area will be covered in wildflowers.  It was a nice relaxing day.  I’m looking forward to seeing this area again in the spring.