Photo: Miner’s Ridge Loop – Black Mountain

Hello Hikers!

There was a small fire in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area on Saturday morning, just northwest of Penny Pines. A 911 caller reported the fire around 3 am, and it was contained at approximately 1.5 acres. Investigators have not yet determined the cause. Please note that within the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area camping outside of established campgrounds is NOT ALLOWED, and campfires are not allowed outside of approved fire rings in campgrounds and picnic areas.

A new Nature Center has opened at the Batiquitos Lagoon. The new modular building replaces the old construction trailer that housed the old Nature Center. It also sounds like other changes are coming to the Lagoon as part of a transportation improvement project, which will include widening I-5 with a new bridge that will include a separate span for pedestrians and cyclists, and a trail underneath the bridge that will connect existing trails along the lagoon that currently end on either side of the freeway.

The invasive Shot Hole Borer Beetle has been found in the Elfin Forest area, prompting the Escondido Creek Conservancy to close some trails to hopefully prevent it from spreading further. I’m trying to get more details on exactly where the closures are, but according the SDMBA Facebook page, its trails within the the Escondido Creek Conservancy, west of Elfin Forest Recreation Reserve. It sounds like the Reserve itself is still open. We’ll keep you posted with any updates, but please respect any closure notices you encounter – the effects of this creature can be absolutely devastating.

The Perseid meteor showers will be peaking this week on Thursday night through Friday morning. The best viewing will be after 1 a.m. once the moon has set.

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Have a good week!

Photo: Knott Grove