DESTINATION Generic 85 Photosets
| |
| Sycamore Canyon - Goodan Ranch, CA | | -
-
-
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
| |  |
|
2 |
|
| | Sycamore Canyon - Goodan Ranch, CA | | | |
|
|
Sycamore Canyon - Goodan Ranch, CA
| | |
|
| Horseback | 7.91 Miles |
757 AEG |
| | Horseback | 7.91 Miles | 3 Hrs 17 Mns | | 3.25 mph |
| 757 ft AEG | 51 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Since moving back to San Diego County after a 35 year absence I have been pretty amazed at how many open space preserves have been set aside. This one is near Poway, Ramona and Lakeside. It's a fairly large area, called the Goodan Ranch Sycamore Canyon Preserve, operated by the County of San Diego. I had never been to this exact area during my younger hiking days here, because it was a private ranch back then. We used an entrance to the park which is off Highway 67 between Ramona and Lakeside. Another entrance is from Scripps Poway Parkway, in Poway, take Sycamore Canyon Road.
I rode horseback with an old friend, Nancy, and three of her friends. This was the second time I had ridden this particular horse. I'm doing better at it. I never really lost my seat after not riding for years, and the few times I have ridden in the past 10 years have been fun. But I still have a lot to learn.
We made our way down into the canyon via an old road which is now a trail. There is a steeper trail used by hikers and some mountain bikers that starts at the same parking lot (although I'm the kind of mountain biker who would use this old road we used.) We followed the canyon bottom, then made a small loop and back to the canyon bottom again.
On the way back we saw three coyotes in a grassy area. They were not concerned about us. They were hunting small animals in the field. After a while they went over to some big water pans by the trail that the park personnel keep filled for horses and wildlife. We watched them for quite some time. They never did become concerned about us.
During our ride we saw many mountain bikers. They were very courteous. At the entrance you'll see those triangular signs to indicate mountain bikers must yield both to hikers and horses. Well, in this place, they really do! They all stop and get out of the way. These horses are used to seeing bikes, too, which is a blessing, since I'm not prepared for a "big ol' rodeo wreck" as my friend calls a horse accident. One of the women remarked that when she'd had a horse that was scared of bikes she made him live with a bike in his paddock! One of the mountain bikers said, "I have a horse, too!" I said, "I have a bike, too!" It was all very friendly and courteous.
So much for rude Californians. I am sure they do exist, but not so much on these trails. |
|
Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
Sycamores are still somewhat colorful. |
|
| _____________________
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life. |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
