Heart of Stone

Having a heart of stone isn't such a bad thing if you're an iconic rock formation in the San Bernardino Mountains. It's just a half-mile hike to Heart Rock at Seeley Creek Falls, where you’ll find a perfectly symmetrical heart-shaped granite bowl carved by nature at the crest of the 25-foot waterfall (can you spot it in the photo?).

Set out down the Seeley Creek Trail, descending along the namesake stream through Jeffrey pines and black oaks. Your walk through this wonderland ends on an overlook above Seeley Creek Falls. This is the best vantage for seeing both the falls and Heart Rock—a slice of eye candy that’s more intriguing than a box of mixed chocolates. If the creek’s flow has some good mojo, you’re in for some extra bling: water flows into the crown of the heart and free-falls out the bottom. But even if the falls are slim, you're still looking at a sweet heart. Of stone.

Take Route 138 north of Crestline to Camp Seeley (map) and turn west up Forest Service Road 2N03. Continue 0.4 mile to the trailhead (labeled 4W07) on the right, where the road becomes gated. Because Seeley Creek flows over Forest Service Road 2N03, you may wish to park along Route 138 and walk the extra distance to the trailhead. Follow Seeley Creek Trail along the left bank of the creek, reaching an outcropping above the waterfall after 0.5 mile. Display an Adventure Pass on your vehicle. Dog-friendly!