The popular Daley Ranch Park preserves one of the last major parcels of open space in the Escondido. Featuring a great variety of ecosystems, the park showcases a number of different hiking options, such as a loop through Engelmann oak woodland, a loop around a large meadow, ponds, chaparral, sage-scrub community, and, as on this …
Torrey Pines State Reserve, Beach, and Extension
Perched across two bluffs separated by a lagoon stand the last groves of the rarest pine tree in North America, the Torrey Pine. The reserve that protects the remnants of these trees also protects a long strand of primeval beach, over which massive sandstone cliffs. Here, the visitor can catch one of the last glimpses …
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Relict Species: Engelmann Oak
Relict, n: a remnant or survivor.Species, n: a distinct sort or kindThe Engelmann Oak (Quercus engelmannii)For my own satisfaction, and hopefully for somebody else out there who likes trees, I'm going to write about some of the remarkable remnant species of trees and plants that I come to know in California. A relic species is that of which only …
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve – Sylvan Meadow Loop
Tucked up on a plateau overlooking Murrieta and Temecula lies the Santa Rosa Plateau Reserve. This 8,000 acre park features 40 miles of hiking trails, the largest remaining Engelmann oak habitat, adobes dating back to the 1860's, vernal pools, and miles of rolling meadows studded with oaks and sycamores.Distance: 5.7 MilesElevation Gained: 500'Difficulty: EasyTime: 3.5 …
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Caspers Wilderness Park – Bell Canyon Loop
Caspers Wilderness Park is an open space preserve near San Juan Capistrano that protects some of San Juan Creek and its tributaries. The park features a variety of ecosystems ranging from open, sunny chaparral covered slopes, park-like oak and sycamore woodland, and arroyo. It also features a few different campsites and day use sections, as …
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scott turner hikes 