The Doane Valley Nature Trail in Palomar Mountain State Park is a beautiful little interpretive trail in the heart of Palomar. This short little hike takes you along Doane Creek (and across it several times), through towering cedars and pines, and along the edge of a meadow. This is a great choice if you have young children or non-hikers in your group and you want an easy stroll through some spectacular scenery. You can download an interpretive guide with information about various numbered exhibits you will find along the trail.
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Category Archives: Palomar Mountain State Park
Silvercrest Loop (Palomar Mountain State Park)
Just beyond the entrance to Palomar Mountain State Park lies the Silvercrest Picnic Area, a quaint spot to enjoy a picnic with the family or relax in some quiet solitude. It its also the start of the short but scenic Silvercrest Trail, traversing a ridge along the southern edge of Palomar. You can do this hike as is, or make a longer figure-8 by adding on the Boucher Hill Loop. Continue reading Silvercrest Loop (Palomar Mountain State Park)
Thunder Spring and Chimney Flats Loop (Palomar Mountain State Park)
There aren’t a lot of areas in San Diego County that really make you feel like you’re in “the mountains,” but Palomar Mountain most certainly qualifies. With nearly 30″ of average annul precipitation, Palomar is a unique and beautiful gem within our otherwise mostly arid county. The Thunder Spring and Chimney Flats Loop takes you through large swathes of Palomar’s cedar, oak, fir, and pine forest, while providing some great wildlife viewing opportunities. Continue reading Thunder Spring and Chimney Flats Loop (Palomar Mountain State Park)
Boucher Hill Loop (Palomar Mountain State Park)
Boucher Hill in Palomar Mountain State Park has been used for fire surveillance since the early 1900’s. The first lookout tower was built in 1921 by the US Forest Service, and the second was built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The tower that currently stands atop the hill was built in 1948, and is staffed by volunteers during fire season (May – early December). When staffed, the tower is generally open for public tours. Continue reading Boucher Hill Loop (Palomar Mountain State Park)
Weir Trail & French Valley Trail – Palomar Mountain State Park
Palomar Mountain is like a hiking oasis in San Diego County. While much of San Diego is arid and dry, filled with drought tolerant plants adapted to living on only minuscule amounts of water, Palomar is full of ferns, cedars, pine trees, and a multitude of other foliage more reminiscent of the wet and snowy Sierras Nevadas. Palomar Mountain State Park has a number of gorgeous trails that can be explored individually or combined into longer loops. This relatively short trek traverses several of the Park’s trails in the Lower Doane Valley area. Continue reading Weir Trail & French Valley Trail – Palomar Mountain State Park