Hiking in Big Bear CA: Traces of the Early Serranos

Описание: During our hike we came upon signs of the Serrano Indians, the indigenous first people of the San Bernardino Mountains.

Hundreds of years ago, Serranos occupied Hesperia and Yucaipa, California.

The Serrano Indians collected pinon nuts and acorns in November and processed them in metates they created in bedrock mortars.

Bear Valley was a favorite gathering area. Boys climbed the trees and shook down the cones or they were knocked down with long sticks. The cones were sometimes placed in pits and roasted, perhaps right there. They were also cooked in hot water or eaten raw. Pinon nuts were ground on a metate with a mano, as were other small seeds.

Acorn mush was an important staple of the Serrano diet. As the Indians came up the north slope of the San Bernardino Mountains from the desert, they made cairns, stacked stone markers.

Mesquite beans, chia, berries, roots and sage were also collected. The Serrano's also hunted game.

Many thanks for the info above from The Indians of Big Bear Valley by Barbara Fincher-Reichardt, Published by Big Bear Historical Society, 1983.

Thank you for joining us as we explore the mystery and majesty of the Mojave on K36JH-TV, Channel 36, originating from Victorville, CA.