Hiking on Mount Woodson

May 2014

There's plenty of trails in San Diego County for hiking. Books like aFoot and aField, 50 Best Short Hikes, 60 hikes within 60 miles, to name few, cover well county's most popular trails.  (Almost) All of these trails are for day hiking, few minutes from your home.

Have visited almost all most famous ones, except one, Mount Woodson. Previous hikes on Blue Sky Reserve and Iron Mountain, both of its neighbors, have been nice places.

One can access Mount Woodson from east side, from where ascent is fairly short, and from west side starting at Lake Poway, which is longer and contains more ascent.

On a Sunday morning, exercising some artificial weight to a new backpack and trying to get more comfortable with it, headed to Lake Poway.  Sunny, not too hot, clear blue sky. Lots of water, some snacks. Simple recipe.

A few people had already arrived at the park of Lake Poway, all preparing Sunday barbecue.  Some were fishing from a shore, some had rented a tiny boat and waited fish to catch a bait.

Took a trail which circled the lake from a south side.  Quite many people were on trails early in the morning.  Took some snapshots of the lake and its neighborhood and then headed to Mount Woodson trail.

There's not too much shade on trail, neither any places to get more water, basically, you were on your own.  Although the trail from Lake Poway to the top of Mount Woods was short, about 6km in one direction, there's enough ascending to get your heart to pump more blood.  Lake Poway lied about 200m above sea level and top of the mountain was on about 850m. So, something about 600m to ascent which guaranteed sweating while keeping relative pace.

Leaving the lake behind the trail got more narrow and more steep. Strong characteristic of the mountain was large and rounded stones which covered slopes of the mountain. Sizes bigger than human looked pretty cool.

Being a Sunday morning, the trail had some heavy traffic. Even some trail runners had found their way here.

Higher you ascended, better scenery it provided to 360 degrees, plains of Ramona in east and higher mountains behind it, the sea on west, and the sun above.

Wind blew stronger on top. Huge antennas covered the peak. Masses of people took some sip of their drinks before heading back down.  Hummingbirds had busy time in bushes near (around red flowers).

Took the same trail back to Lake Power but circled the lake now counter clockwise. The lake is actually a reservoir, like most of the other lakes within the county. It meant one limitation for which kids were not fond of, i.e. no swimming on the lake.

Turkey Vultures were common view, but when one saw a couple of them circling above you, just like in the old western movies, a sight became less attractive.

The trail twisted on a foot of the dam before it started to ascend back to the park. A small spot of water seemed to be a hideaway for red dragonflies.  Two square meters of microclimate proved to be enough for them.

Back to the park on the lake. Circling the Lake Poway and going back and forth Mount Woodson was about 15km hike.  Good and short and easy one. Definitely a good place for day hiking.

Some snapshots

Trail from Lake Poway to Mount Woodson

It's only the beginning

Salomon dominated b/w trail runners

Monsters

Don't push them, please

A passage

Peak of Mount Woodson

Siesta

Getting courage

Lake Poway down there

Gone fishing

Plenty of room and a view

A Turtle taking swimming lessons

Red Dragonfly shy on camera

Snakes have good disguise 

Signs of Spring on Mount Laguna

March 2014

Dry winter in Southern California has kept nature in alert. Few rains, and snowing on mountains, has brought some help.

Wanted to explore mountains and observe were there any signs of new life in nature.

Packed daily stuff into a backpack and headed to Mount Laguna recreation area in San Diego East County. Meadows lied on about 1600 meters above sea level. There's been few snowfalls in region. Storm in February brought more rainwater to mountains than near the coast.

Took a familiar route by hiking, from S1 highway on to the trailhead, and followed Sunset Trail to a Water-on-the-Woods pond.  Immediate sight was positive, there's more new, fresh green everywhere; new grass, tiny leaves on trees.

Birds were really active, singing loudly. Many plants had small flowers in them; yellow, white, red, you named it.

Ducks did their washing habits on pond, splashing water all over.  Ground squirrels watched carefully movements of humans.  Ravens cried loudly.

From the pond continued towards north, ascending little higher. Here opened a panorama view towards west.

After reaching the northern end of the Laguna Meadow, headed back south via Big Laguna Trail, staying on meadow.  Mountain bikers, lots of them. Been here with an MTB and it's pure fun, nice single track trails.

Big lake had some water and hundreds of ducks and other water birds.  Looped the lake south side and headed back north, now on the east side of the meadow.

Saw a strange sight, a single Raven tried to dismiss two Red-Tail Hawks would have thought to be opposite. It did succeed indeed.

Took a short cut to a Little Laguna Lake. Lack of water. A nearby camping area guaranteed some children which were playing on the meadow.

Dozens of Ravens were packed on old pine trees, making hell of a noise.

People hiking on groups were common view.  Had nice chats, really friendly people. Learnt new hiking places and especially waterfalls, rear views on Southern California.  Had a lunch break under old pine tree.

Took a trail back by crossing the meadow from south-east side.  Fresh green grass pushed through old one, Bright flowers made it looking even better.  Any stone on the meadow had a ground squirrel or two, seemed to be their neighborhood.

Nice 20km hike proved there were clearly signs of spring, on ground, on rocks, on trees, in the air. Hope there'll be more rain coming before summer.

Epilogue:  After two days of the hiking trip, the same area was covered by few inches of snow, though melting away soon. How versatile mountains can be.

A Few Snapshots

On Laguna Meadow

I wouldn't say it was cloudy

Green green grass

Trail Running

Mountain Biking

She

A Queue

Plants, Trees

New leaves

A young Cedar Tree gets vital beam of daily sunlight

Yellowish

Majestic colors

Almost hidden

Beautifully blooming in white

Fresh new cones

Wind

Glad that we humans have refrigerators and freezers

In bloom

Birdies

Mountain Chickadee

Nuthatch

These tiny little ones knocked trees louder than woodpeckers

Acorn Woodpecker

Like a form of another branch

Brewer's Blackbird

Dark-Eyed Junco

Steller's Jay

Western Bluebird

On border

A single Raven cried out Red-Tail Hawks

Other Living Creatures

Fresh grass near trail, dogs knew it

Believe me or not but this Lizard did push-ups!

Kiss Me Kate

Return to Cuyamaca State Park

February 2014

Had earlier done one hike on Cuyamaca State Park, mainly staying on northern part of its trails.  Decided already then to return soon to its middle or southern part.

Starting point was at the Visitor Center. Clear blue sky in the morning, pretty warm. Forecast predicted some clouds and increasing wind (always an issue on mountains).  Some food and hot coffee in backpack. Ready to go.

Near a trailhead there was a small creek going through the valley. Surprised to hear sounds of running water there. Too many streams been dry recent weeks. Crossed the Sweetwater creek and headed north east on East Side Trail. After a mile turned east to a narrow valley/canyon.

Trail changed to Harvey Moore Trail, following the valley and almost dry Harvey Creek.  After crossing the creek the trail started ascending, zig zagging left and right heading now south. There was some 800 ft of ascending. Mountain slopes had high bushes and few dead trees. This area burnt down badly a few years ago.

It's always nice to go hiking on new areas. Even how well one study maps and look at photos on social media, the real physical touch feels much better, and what's more, it usually brings positive feelings and surprises.  So was the feeling once arrived on top after sweating about half and hour. Now bushes were gone and were replaced by high pine trees and long grass.

Next pine trees were gone and the trail entered on a meadow.  Highest point was behind and had done only one third of planned distance.

Soon noticed some shadows behind small trees. Half a dozen Wild Turkeys wandered there looking for something (food if I'm not badly wrong).  This was the second time to spot Wild Turkeys. These stayed much closer and now had a chance see their colours and feathers better. Tried to take some photos from distance, didn't want to disturb their life too much.  Their colour fitted well on the background, hard to spot had they stayed without moving.

Seeing some birds cheered even more.  It was time for a break. Some sandwich with hot coffee tasted so good not to mention cookies.

After lazy break continued Harvey Moore Trail which descended now towards west still staying on a meadow.  Met one Lady earlier on the trail who recommended to take Dyar Spring Trail back to the Visitor Center.  She was absolutely right. Trail descended still on meadow, but there started to be old oak trees here and there. Soon more and more, some of them grouped creating like a mini forests.

Suddenly saw a Mule Deer standing behind one of the oak trees. It stared at me. It was like a duel from old westerns, who's quicker, me with a camera or a deer running away. Slowly took a camera, begging 'don't move' multiple times. After first click it started to ran away. Managed to take a couple of more clicks. Thanks!

First thought that the Deer was alone as no one else followed it. Didn't see where there other Deers behind oak trees, but luckily kept camera ready as one Mule Deer after another ran behind trees to opposite direction, about 15 of them. They ran pretty fast away from me, swinging their white tail. In few seconds they climbed nearest hill and stayed there behind oak trees. Too far distance of taking proper photos.  Soon noticed another group of Mule Deers approaching other group from another direction. Now the group size was about 30. Pretty amazing view to me.

Btw, to me 'camera ready' while hiking means: powered on and battery still strong, usually f4 aperture, high enough shutter speed raised by ISO, plenty of space in memory card and no lens covers.

Continued Dyar Spring Trail which was now heading towards north. Chatted with some other hikers. Really friendly people here on trails.  Next came a couple of horse riders. Pretty noble view, riding on high mountain trails, must be a fantastic feeling.

Coming more down meadow ended and now oak and pine trees were combined as a constant forest.  Hawks glided above, little birds had group singing, though hidden in bushes.

Took one more extra hook and turned into Juaquapin Trail. First the trail crossed a small meadow and followed Juaquapin creek.  Soon forest ended, and high bushes took over.  Obviously there's been a border of fire.

Crossing finally Sweetwater creek brought back to the Visitor Center.  Had a short discussion there with friendly hosts.  Got several good hints on Mountain Lions, places where to see more Mule Deers, Eagle spots and so on.

The 2nd hike Cuyamaca State Park was over. Looking at map (i.e. a waterproof  Tom Harrison) revealed there was still some areas in the park which had good looking trails. Thus, third visit pending.

Where the first hike was a kind of a test for new lightweight hiking shoes (for easy terrain and fast hikes), this second hike was a similar one.  Had bought a Lowa winter hiking boots and wanted to test them in easy but steep enough trails.  They did work well, hopefully being able to cast them on snow later this winter/spring.

Altogether the loop was about 20km.

Some photos

Welcome!

Meadow on 4000 ft

First glimpse of gorgeous pine trees

Treeless canyon, hiking trail going up and down

Girls on hiking trip

Signs of massive fire, though a few years back

Can't imagine this picture in colours

Not by a machine gun but Woodpeckers

Bright yellow flowers strike from terrain

Oh boy, Wild Turkeys!

Coffee and stuff, note the size of cones

Harvey Moore Trail

Mule Deer, running style is pretty impressive

More of white tails, some with big horns

Old and massive oak trees

Dyar Spring Trail

A closer look on a trail

Let's call it a bush

It's all about pigment which matters

Yippea-ki-yea! 

Stonewall Peak

Where's moisture and sunlight there's green plants

Old Visitor Center