GOSD Palomar Mountain Day Hike
Saturday October 8, 2022
You're invited to join us for the Great Outdoors San Diego (GOSD) Palomar Mountain Day Hike. It’s located in the Palomar Mountain State Park, a gem of a small State Park here in San Diego County. With an average elevation of 5000 feet, this three square mile park has some of the best mountain scenery in the county. White fir and incense cedar trees, normally found much farther north in the Sierras, are abundant here. The California Black and Valley Oaks should be in their full autumn colors. The weather may require a jacket in the morning but should warm up into the 70’s in the afternoon. Rain is highly unlikely in October. Dogs are not permitted on this hike.
Doane Pond Palomar Mountain
Location-Directions
Expect a 1.5 to 2 hour drive time from San Diego. You will first need to reach Highway CA-76 E north of San Diego by driving north of San Diego on the I-15 and taking Exit 46 to CA-76 E. At Pala Mesa head east towards Palomar Mountain turning a slight left S. Grade Road/Palomar Mountain Road.
For a slightly shorter route, drive north on the I-15 and take exit 27 for Via Rancho Parkway. Follow signs to SD Wild Animal/Safari Park. Stay in the two right lanes and turn right onto E. Via Rancho Parkway. Continue onto Bear Valley Parkway for 5.8 miles. Use the right two lanes to turn right onto E. Valley Parkway. Continue onto Valley Center Road and drive 13.8 miles to a traffic circle. Take the first exit to CA-76 E.
From CA-76 E, take a slight left onto S Grade Rd/Palomar Mountain Rd. After 6.7 winding miles, turn left onto S Grade Road then another quick left onto State Park Road. Drive about 2.6 miles to the State Park entrance. There is an entrance fee of $10.00 per vehicle, so carpooling is highly encouraged. A California States Park Annual Pass will also get you in. If you're using Google Maps or MapQuest, the park's physical address is: 19952 State Park Rd. Palomar CA 92060.
Once inside the park, follow the signs to our meeting spot at the Doane Pond Parking lot. Please plan to arrive before 10:00 am, as we will leave for our hike at 10:00.
Autumn Leaves Palomar Mountain
Hike Description (total distance 7.8 miles)
We will be hiking two loop trails both starting at Doane Pond. In the morning we will hike the Lower Doane Valley and Lower French Valley Trails. This loop is rated moderate, 3.8 miles in distance, and should take about two hours. Highlights will include the Historic Weir Site on the Pauma Creek and a beautiful alpine meadow. The loop ends in the Doane Valley Campground, a short distance from the pond. We will have lunch at one of the picnic tables beside the pond.
In the afternoon we will hike the Thunder Spring and Chimney Flat loop. This is rated moderate, about four miles, and should take another two hours. On this loop we will pass a historic apple orchard and large incense cedar grove. We should be done with the hike and back to the parking lot by 4:00 pm.
As with all hikes, please be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, snacks, and your 10 essentials. For this hike, you’ll also want to bring lunch and warm clothes for the morning. Mobile phone reception is very limited in the Palomar Mountain State Park. Maps are available at the Park entrance.
Registration
This should be a great fall hike. Registration will soon be open on the GOSD website. For any questions about this hike, please contact the hike leader, Mark McCabe.
Join the group "Nature Collective" and experience San Elijo Lagoon in a new way by participating in their 3-Mile Loop Challenge for National Thrive Outside Day.
The loop will take you over the deeper and wider channels made possible by the San Elijo Lagoon Restoration Project via the new I-5 suspension bridge. Be sure to stop at the Check-In Stations before beginning your hike for fun activities and your celebratory Loop Challenge sticker.
This is a NOT a Great Outdoors event.
For more information and to RSVP for this event click here: https://thenaturecollective.org/event/3-mile-loop-challenge-oct-9/
For more information about Nature Collective and its mission, click here: https://thenaturecollective.org/about/
The trail to Lost Palm Oasis in Joshua Tree National Park begins at Cottonwood Springs at the southern entrance of the park. One of the largest palm oases in the park, second to Munsen Canyon, the trail proceeds along fairly flat terrain along sandy washes and rolling hills until you reach the oasis overlook where the trail descends into the palms below.. Although the hike is considered a moderate hike, there will be some boulder scrambling descending into and out of the oasis.
Departure Time: 8:00 AM (Please arrive early for 8:00 am departure)
Fees/Charges: Joshua Tree Park entrance fee or bring your entrance card.
*Hiking Requirements - Although the trail is fairly level, the elevation is at 3000 feet so you will need to be in good physical condition for this hike. Click here for more information.
Bring Ten Essentials (click here) - water (2 to 3 liters recommended), and trail snacks. Sun protection and layered clothing are recommended. Carry Emergency Contact Information (ICE).
Sturdy hiking footwear with good tread and adequate drinking water are required.
Contact leader: Howard Goldberg email click here
Carpooling - is encouraged and may be available if offered by a driver. You are responsible for arranging you own transportation or ride share. Arrive a few minutes early for briefing and carpooling.
Weather Policy: Inclement weather cancels
Special COVID Related Requirements
This event requires all attendees to be fully vaccinated for COVID.
Health Problems/allergies: Discuss any medical concerns with the hike leader that may affect your ability to complete the hike.
Breakfast - Hike - Soak
Remember to head over to your nearest hot tub after your hike!
9 AM - energized with breakfast, drive/carpool 10 minutes to the Long Canyon trailhead in Desert Hot Springs; directions click here. The hike is rated a moderate, approx. 4 miles total out and back in with minimum elevation gain. This trail is located in a wide wash between canyons leading into Joshua Tree National Park and was recently designated as part of the Sand to Snow National Monument.
After taking in the sites, we retrace our steps back to the trailhead and move onto Miracle Springs Resort & Spa for lunch at their indoor/outdoor Capri Restaurant and then “take the waters” in any of the mineral pools of different temperatures.
You may skip the hike and meet us at the Spa Resort for lunch.
Spa entry day pass (pay at front desk lobby):
Make sure you go to the correct Spa resort. There are two adjacent resorts, go to the Miracle Springs Resort & Spa to the North of the other spa, address is: 10625 Palm Dr, Desert Hot Springs, CA
Bring: Swimsuit - Towel - Lock for locker
Ten Essentials (click here), water, 1 or 2 liters recommended, snacks, sun protection, layered clothing , hiking poles may be helpful. Carry Emergency Contact Information (ICE). Sturdy hiking footwear with good tread and adequate drinking water are required. Inclement weather may cancel.
Meeting location will be sent in a separate event email.
Trip Leaders:
This event requires all attendees to be fully vaccinated.
Ranger Guided Tour - Discover the colorful lives of Bill and Frances Keys and learn how they survived and raised a family in the harsh desert environment on the Keys Ranch Tour. Explore the ranch house, school room, store, workshop, and more treasures from the 60 years the Keys called this area home. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, the property is located in a remote, rocky canyon in Joshua Tree National Park. Keys Ranch tours last 90 minutes and involve about a half-mile of walking. Access to this area is limited to Ranger guided tours only.
Option bring a bag lunch for a picnic after the tour at the nearby Hidden Valley parking lot with tables.
10 am Meet at Palm Springs PetSmart Ramon/Crossley Map Click Here
Carpooling is encouraged and may be available if offered by driver. You are responsible for arranging your own transportation or ride share.
Directions to the Keys Ranch Gate - click here
Payment: You can pay with the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. You need to complete payment within 15 minutes or you will be timed out and will need to start over.
Cancel: If you cannot attend, please notify the trip leader as others may be on the waitlist. No refunds available.
Contact trip leader: Scott Connelly - email click here
Getting There
Keys Ranch tours begin at the Keys Ranch locked gate and parking area (not at the visitor center). Do not rely exclusively on your mobile GPS, Siri, or similar automated navigation systems for directions to Keys Ranch as routes can be misleading or incorrect. Please be at the Keys Ranch gate 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time. Tours begin promptly at the start time and the locked gate will be opened. You will continue driving down the road to a second parking area where the walking tour begins. Once all the cars are through the gate, it will be locked. There is no way for latecomers to join. Refunds will not be issued if you are late. Directions to Keys Ranch
From the Joshua Tree Visitor Center (located at 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree CA.): Drive south on Park Blvd for about 5 miles to the West Entrance (Park Blvd is also known as “Quail Springs Road”). At West Entrance gate, proceed another 8.9 miles. Turn Left onto Barker Dam Rd. Drive on Barker Dam Rd. for about 0.7 miles. Turn Left onto Keys Ranch Rd. (Look for the sign that says “Ranch Tours”). Drive on Keys Ranch Rd. (a dirt road) for about 1 mile until the locked Keys Ranch gate. There is a small parking area and restroom facility at the locked gate. This is your meeting place. Drive time to the Keys Ranch from Joshua Tree Visitor Center is approximately 35 minutes and does not include any additional delays caused by congestion at entrance gates. Delays at this entrance gate due to congestion often add an additional 30 minutes to travel time so please plan accordingly.
From the Oasis Visitor Center (located at 74485 National Park Dr., Twentynine Palms, CA.): Drive south on Utah Trail for about 3.4 miles to the North Entrance. At North Entrance gate, proceed another 16.5 miles. Turn Right onto Barker Dam Rd. Drive on Barker Dam Rd. for about 0.7 miles. Turn Left onto Keys Ranch Rd (Look for the sign that says “Ranch Tours”). Drive on Keys Ranch Rd. (a dirt road) for about 1 mile until the locked Keys Ranch gate. There is a small parking area and restroom facility at the locked gate. This is your meeting place. Drive time to the Keys Ranch from Oasis Visitor Center is approximately 40 minutes and does not include any additional delays caused by congestion at entrance gates.
Travel Times to Keys Ranch
From Joshua Tree Visitor Center, travel time to the ranch is approximately 35 minutes, plus an additional delay of up to 30 minutes due to congestion at the gate.
From Oasis Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms, travel time to the ranch is approximately 40 minutes.
Smoking and eating are prohibited on the Keys Ranch Tour.
This event requires all attendees to be vaccinated for COVID
The Bayside Trail is a 3.9-km out-and-back trail, within the Cabrillo National Monument Park. Because it is on the east facing side of Point Loma, it faces San Diego with expansive bay views along the way. It is located in one of the last coastal areas in the San Diego region with well-preserved coastal scrub and chaparral habitat. Many kinds of wildlife—birds, reptiles, marine mammals—may be observed. It was here that Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo landed in 1542 and claimed the land for Spain, although it has belonged to indigenous peoples for thousands of years.
On this interpretive hike our special emphasis will be about seeing the area in a whole new way, by learning about how different cultures have interacted with the area through time. For thousands of years Kumeyaay people who have lived in the area and have made use of every plant and animal, both those of the land and of the sea. We will stop and talk about different plants along the way and how native peoples have used them for food, medicine, tools, construction materials, regalia, ceremony and more. We will also learn about more recent history, including the arrival of the Spanish in 1542 and other historical happenings throughout the years. Keep in mind that this walk is not so much a “power hike” but rather a fascinating educational stroll with stops along the way. Our guide, GO member Mike Wilken, is an anthropologist, naturalist and author of the book Kumeyaay Ethnobotany: Shared Heritage of the Californias.
Details:
Meeting Date & Time:Sunday, November 13, 2022 @ 9:00am
Meeting place: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, CA 92106 - VISITOR CENTER
We will be at the entry to the visitor center right off the roundabout for passenger drop-off.
Host: Mike Wilken
Parking:Ample parking is available near the Visitor Center.
Cost: To enter the park, the National Park Service charges:
• Cabrillo National Monument Vehicle Permit - $20 (U.S. Dollars)
Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers.
• Cabrillo National Monument Motorcycle Permit - $15 (U.S. Dollars)
Admits one single, private, non-commercial motorcycle and its passenger(s).
• Cabrillo National Monument Individual Permit - $10/person (U.S. Dollars)
Admits one individual when entering by foot or bicycle. Groups of up to 4 people walking in or on bicycles are capped at $20 total.
Carpooling is a great idea!
Time Commitment Plan for approx 2-3 hours
Trail: From the Visitor Center, we will walk to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, from there the road to the Bayside Trail starts just northeast of the lighthouse.
Here is the write-up from Alltrails:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/bayside-trail-cabrillo-national-monument?u=m
Here is the write-up on the trail from NPS:
https://www.nps.gov/cabr/learn/bayside-trail.htm
Length: 3.9 km (about than 2.5 miles)
Difficulty: EASY but some slopes, basically downhill for first half then uphill coming back.
Elevation Gain: ~107 meters
Accessibility: Wide and well-maintained trail, NPS says: The Bayside Trail starts as asphalt (with moving cars) then turns into a wide, hard-packed dirt path. It is an out and back trail which is a gentle downhill on the way out and uphill on the way back. The trail can be uneven at times. There are several benches along the trail for beautiful bay views.
https://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/mobilityservices.htm
https://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm
RSVP: Not necessary
Dogs: No dogs, sorry.
What to Bring
Cell Phone Service: No reception issues anticipated.
Health Problems/Allergies: It is the responsibility of participants to carry on their person a record of significant allergies, medications and medical history in the event of a medical emergency. Discuss any medical concerns with a trip leader if you wish. Bees have been reported in the area.
Contact/Question - If you have any questions not addressed by the information above or on our registration page, please feel free to contact the trip leader: Mike Wilken (mikewilken@yahoo.com)
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