Kelley's Ditch Trail is a trail through a remote park of the Cuyamaca Mountains that connects Cuyamaca State Park and William Heise County Park. The route travels through forests incinerated by the 2003 Cedar Fire along the west slopes of North Peak before dropping down into Heise Park. The views, though partially obstructed by dead …
Cuyamaca Reservoir, Fall Edition
The Cuyamaca Reservoir collects water draining from the north side of various peaks and creeks in the valley between North Peak and Stonewall Peak. It offers fishing, boating, hiking, and picnicking options, and features one of the few unburnt parcels of forest in Cuyamaca State Park.Distance: 3.6Elevation Gained: 200Difficulty: EasyTime: 1:30Critters: Egrets, Herons, Ducks, turkeysGet …
Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch
Sycamore Canyon, which also contains Goodan Ranch, is a fairly substantial open space preserve sandiwched between Poway and Santee. It features rolling shrub-covered hills, wide, grassy meadows, riparian ecotones supporting willows, oaks, and the eponymous sycamores. It’s also the site of an old ranch and orchard, both of which were scorched during the 2003 Cedar …
Manzanita Flat
About half-way up the east flank of Mt. San Bernadino lies a flat stretch of terrain coated in manzanita, dotted with Jeffrey pines, and, on this day at least, frosted with 6 inches of snow. The flat itself is a good stop and rest point for a longer trek up to San Bernadino Peak, or, …
Monserate Mountain
It's a great big hill!Distance: 3.9Elevation Gained: 1,220'Difficulty: ModerateTime: 1:45Critters: NoneGet there like this.Details:Oh, the bear went over the mountain,The bear went over the mountain,The bear went over the mountain,To see what he could see.And all that he could see,And all that he could see,Was the other side of the mountain,The other side of the …
Relict Species: Foxtail and Bristlecone Pines
Relict, n: a remnant or survivor.Species, n: a distinct sort or kindPinus balfouriana and Pinus longaevaGreat Basin Bristlecone PineFoxtail PineIn the upper regions of the two highest ranges in California, two closely related trees exist in isolated remnant pockets. These trees are famed for their longevity, with one, the Great Basin bristlecone pine, known to live up to 5,000 years. …
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Highland Valley Trail
The Highland Valley Trail parallels Highland Valley Rd. on the south side of the San Dieguito River valley. The trail is never far from development, and the sites and sounds of civilization are omnipresent, yet this is an enjoyable and tranquil trail through grasslands, oaks, and along a stream.Distance: 4.8Elevation Gained: 150'Difficulty: EasyCritters: NoneTime: 1:45Get …
Kearsarge Pass
Kearsarge Pass is one of a number of points where trails cross over the Sierra Crest, which runs as a spine along the east side of the Sierra Nevadas. The trail leading up from Onion Valley crosses over the crest into Kearsarge Basin, where a network of lakes ultimately gives way to one of the …
Methuselah Walk
The Methuselah Walk is a moderate loop through a grove of Great Basin Bristlecone Pines, which grow to be the oldest non-clonal organism on the planet, with the Methuselah tree reaching an estimated 5,063 years old. That is twice as old as the average sequoia.Distance: 4.5 MilesElevation Gained: 800'Difficulty: EasyTime: 1:45Critters: NoneGet there like this.Note: …
Convict Lake
Convict Lake is a subalpine lake about 15 minutes south of the town of Mammoth Lakes. In addition to a network of trails extending into the mountains above the lake, there is a fun and rewarding 3.3 mile loop circumnavigating the lake. While this lake differs from the usual alpine lakes of the High Sierra, …
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