Calendar

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Upcoming Hikes/Events

All hikes are free to the public. If you’re bringing an organized group, please call (858) 484-3219 to make arrangements. Rain cancels hikes. Be sure to wear hiking boots and bring water, insect repellant, and sun protection. See you on the trail!

Every Saturday & Sunday

Historic Adobe Ranch Tour
San Diego County Park docents lead a free guided tour of San Diego’s second oldest standing residence, Ranch Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos at 11 a.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. on Sundays, lasting 45 minutes. See an historic Mexican era rancho with three foot thick adobe walls, settler and Indian artifacts and tour the grounds. The Ranch House is located on Canyonside Drive off Black Mountain Road near I-15 between Mira Mesa and Rancho Peñasquitos. See Thomas Bros. p. 1189 (C7).

April

Friends of Peñasquitos Canyon Board of Directors
Tuesday, Apr. 1, 7 p.m. Members are welcome to attend this business meeting to plan Friends’ activities. Meeting is at the historic Adobe Ranch House at Black Mountain Road and Canyonside Driveway. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (C7).

Tracking Walk
Saturday, Apr. 12, 8 a.m. Everyone is invited to join us for a free, easy tracking walk to learn about the art of tracking and the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. Beginner and Intermediate levels. Meet at the historic Ranch House on Canyonside Dr., Rancho Penasquitos. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (C7).

Canyon Favorites Hike
Saturday, Apr 19, 5:00 p.m. Join Pat for a moderately paced loop hike to Carson's Crossing, the waterfall, and back. Meet at the utility gate at the end of Park Village Road. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (A7-B7).

Wildlife Survey Training
Saturday, Apr 19, 9:45 a.m. This free training includes basic track, sign, and habitat recognition, as well as details on the implementation of survey protocol, and is required for survey volunteers. Meet at the historic Ranch House on Canyonside Dr., Rancho Penasquitos. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (C7).

Miner’s Loop Trail Walk, Black Mountain /Rancho Peñasquitos
Saturday, Apr 17. 16, 9 – 11a.m. Join a naturalist for a hike along the Miner’s Loop Trail on the north face of Black Mountain Park. Expect to see flowers, great vistas, and learn about the old arsenic mine. Meet at the Parking Staging area off the new extension of Carmel Valley Rd. about 1/4 mile east of its intersection with Black Mtn. Rd. in Rancho Peñasquitos. Wear hiking boots and bring water and sun protection. Thomas Guide p. 1189 E7 or call 858-342-8856.

Waterfall Hike
Sunday, Apr. ?, 3:00 p.m. Join Linda for a moderately paced loop hike to Carson's Crossing, the waterfall, and back. Meet at the kiosk at Park Village Rd. and Camino del Sur in Rancho Peñasquitos. Bring water and wear hiking boots. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (A7-B7).

Lopez Homestead History Hike w/ Will Bowen
Sunday, Apr ?, 3-4:30 P.M. Hike out into Lopez Canyon to learn about the Old Lopez Homestead— a small turn-of-the-century dairy farm. Visit the orchard, the Old Road, and see the remains of the barn, house, and milking station. Find out about the importance of the Lopez family in early San Diego history. Start: West End Parking Staging Area, Thomas Guide p.1208 (D5).

Carmel Mountain Flower Walk w/ Diana Gordon
Sunday, Apr ?, 9 – 11a.m. Tour one of San Diego’s newest nature preserves. Good chance to see wildflowers. Take SR-56 east from I-5 to Carmel Country Road. Go right (south) across the bridge and immediately look for and park in a small dirt parking lot on the right. Wear hiking boots, bring water and sun protection. Moderate hill to climb. See Thomas Guide p. 1188, C7 or call 858.484.3219.

May

Friends of Peñasquitos Canyon Board of Directors
Tuesday, May 6, 7 p.m. Members are welcome to attend this business meeting to plan Friends’ activities. Meeting is at the historic Adobe Ranch House at Black Mountain Road and Canyonside Driveway. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (C7).

Tracking Walk
Saturday, May 10, 8 a.m. Everyone is invited to join us for a free, easy tracking walk to learn about the art of tracking and the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. Beginner and Intermediate levels. Meet at the historic Ranch House on Canyonside Dr., Rancho Penasquitos. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (C7).

Beginner Tracker Naturalist Class
Wednesday, May 14, 7 a.m. This class is devoted to developing tracking and awareness skills, with an emphasis on wildlife physiology and habits, how to move in nature, and techniques for recognizing habitats and associated flora and fauna. Email lptt@cox.net to register or go to LPTT Website, http://www. penasquitos. org/classes.html for more information. Meet at the historic Ranch House on Canyonside Dr., Rancho Penasquitos. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (C7).

Beginner Tracker Naturalist Class
Saturday, May 17, 8 a.m. This class is devoted to developing tracking and awareness skills, with an emphasis on wildlife physiology and habits, how to move in nature, and techniques for recognizing habitats and associated flora and fauna. Email lptt@cox.net to register or go to LPTT Website, http://www. penasquitos. org/classes.html for more information. Meet at the historic Ranch House on Canyonside Dr., Rancho Penasquitos. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (C7).

Flower Walk w/ Diana Gordon
Saturday, May ?, 9 – 11a.m. Visit vernal pools, one of San Diego’s rarest habitats. Good chance to see wildflowers. From Carmel Valley take El Camino Real south. At its intersection with Carmel Mountain Road, proceed straight on what has become Carmel Mountain Road. Go up the hill several blocks to East Ocean Air Dr. Go left and park at Fairport and Shorepointe. Wear hiking boots, bring water and sun protection. Moderate hill to climb. See Thomas Guide p. 1208, C2 or call 858.484.3219

Pierre Bovet Adobe History Hike w/ Will Bowen
Sunday, May ?, 3-4:30 P.M. Hike out into Carroll Canyon (aka. Soledad Canyon) to visit the ruins of the Pierre Bovet Adobe. Find out why so many such adobes of San Diego County were left to deteriorate. Learn about Pierre Bovet and his family and their place in San Diego history. Understand why this area should someday be part of the larger Preserve. Start: Meet at Fire Station near the corner of Scranton and Carroll Canyon Road.

Miner’s Loop Trail Walk, Black Mountain /Rancho Peñasquitos
Saturday, May 17, 16, 9 – 11a.m. Join a naturalist for a hike along the Miner’s Loop Trail on the north face of Black Mountain Park. Expect to see flowers, great vistas, and learn about the old arsenic mine. Meet at the Parking Staging area off the new extension of Carmel Valley Rd. about 1/4 mile east of its intersection with Black Mtn. Rd. in Rancho Peñasquitos. Wear hiking boots and bring water and sun protection. Thomas Guide p. 1189 E7 or call 858-342-8856.

“El Cuervo” Adobe History Hike w/ Will Bowen
Sunday, May ?, 3-4:30 P.M. Hike out into the West End of Penasquitos Canyon for a intimate look at the ruins of the “El Cuervo” Adobe. Become familiar with the controversy about who built it when. Find out about Francisco and son, Diego Alvarado--the probable builders. Includes a short side hike to examine Norwood Brown’s old roundup corral and to discuss the impact of cattle grazing in the Preserve. Start: Parking Lot: 4206 Sorrento Valley Boulevard, Thomas Guide p.1208 (D5).

June

Friends of Peñasquitos Canyon Board of Directors
Tuesday, June 3, 7 p.m. Members are welcome to attend this business meeting to plan Friends’ activities. Meeting is at the historic Adobe Ranch House at Black Mountain Road and Canyonside Driveway. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (C7).

2008 National Trails Day
Saturday, June 7. Join Us on the Trails! Visit the SDTT booth during the celebration of our America's trail system. Meet at the historic Ranch House on Canyonside Dr., Rancho Penasquitos. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (C7).

Tracking Walk
Saturday, June 14, 8 a.m. Everyone is invited to join us for a free, easy tracking walk to learn about the art of tracking and the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. Beginner and Intermediate levels. Meet at the historic Ranch House on Canyonside Dr., Rancho Penasquitos. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (C7).

Miner’s Loop Trail Walk, Black Mountain /Rancho Peñasquitos
Saturday, June 14, 9 – 11a.m. Join a naturalist for a hike along the Miner’s Loop Trail on the north face of Black Mountain Park. Expect to see flowers, great vistas, and learn about the old arsenic mine. Meet at the Parking Staging area off the new extension of Carmel Valley Rd. about 1/4 mile east of its intersection with Black Mtn. Rd. in Rancho Peñasquitos. Wear hiking boots and bring water and sun protection. Thomas Guide p. 1189 E7 or call 858-342-8856.

Waterfall Hike
Sunday, June ?, 4:00 p.m. Join Linda for a moderately paced loop hike to Carson's Crossing, the waterfall, and back. Meet at the kiosk at Park Village Rd. and Camino del Sur in Rancho Peñasquitos. Bring water and wear hiking boots. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (A7-B7).

Canyon Favorites Hike
Saturday, June 7, 6:00 p.m. Join Pat for a moderately paced loop hike to Carson's Crossing, the waterfall, and back. Meet at the utility gate at the end of Park Village Road. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (A7-B7).

Flower Walk w/ Diana Gordon
Sunday, June ?. 3 – 5 p.m. Visit vernal pools, one of San Diego’s rarest habitats. Good chance to see wildflowers. From Carmel Valley take El Camino Real south. At its intersection with Carmel Mountain Road, proceed straight on what has become Carmel Mountain Road. Go up the hill several blocks to East Ocean Air Dr. Go left and park at Fairport and Shorepointe. Wear hiking boots, bring water and sun protection. Moderate hill to climb. See Thomas Guide p. 1208, C2 or call 858.484.3219.

Directions

Mercy Road Parking-Staging Area
In Mira Mesa. Take Mercy Exit off I-15 west to Black Mountain Rd. and straight across intersection into parking lot. Meet on upper level. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (D7).

Carmel Mountain Trail Head
From Carmel Valley take El Camino Real south. At intersection with Carmel Mtn Rd, proceed straight on Carmel Mtn Rd. Go up the hill to East Ocean Air Dr. Go left and park at Fairport and Shorepointe. Wear hiking boots. Bring water/sun protection. Moderate hill to climb. Thomas Guide p.1208 (C2).

Santa Luz Meeting Area
Meet at the kiosk in the parking lot off San Dieguito Rd., opposite Montien Rd. Thomas Guide p. 1168 (J5).

Northern Parking-Staging Area
Located in Rancho Peñasquitos. From I-15 take the Mercy Road exit west to Black Mountain Road. Right on Black Mountain Road and up hill, left on Park VillageDrive, about 1 mile to Camino del Sur. Left on Camino del Sur and park by the kiosk. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (A7-B7).

Park Village Drive Meeting Area
Located in Rancho Peñasquitos. From I-15 take the Mercy Road exit west to Black Mountain Road. Right on Black Mountain Road and up hill, left on Park Village Drive and take it all the way to the end at the white barricades and park entrance. Thomas Guide p. 1189 – 1188 (J7).

Ranch House Walks/Tours
Located in Rancho Peñasquitos. Take Mercy Exit off I-15 west to Black Mountain Road. Right on Black Mountain. Left at first light, Canyonside Park Dr. Go past ballfields to the white-fenced parking lot. Left into the lot. Walk up path to the ranch. house. Thomas Guide p. 1189 (C7).

Sorrento Valley Meeting Area
Meet in parking lot at 4206 Sorrento Valley Blvd. on the north side of Sorrento Valley Boulevard in Sorrento Valley, 1/4 mile east of its intersection with Sorrento Valley Road. Thomas Guide p. 1208 (D5).

West-End Parking-Staging Area
South side of Sorrento Valley Blvd. in Sorrento Valley, 1/2 mile east of intersection with Vista Sorrento Pky. From east take Mira Mesa Blvd. west to Camino Santa Fe. Right on Camino Santa Fe, then left on Sorrento Valley Blvd. to bottom of the hill. Entrance is on the left. From the west, take I-5 or 805 to Sorrento Valley. Take Sorrento Valley Blvd. east, pass last building on the right. Preserve entrance is on right. Thomas Guide p. 1208, (D5).

Black Mountain Open Space Park
From I-15 take SR 56 (Ted Williams Parkway) west to Black Mountain Rd. Go right (north) on Black Mtn. Rd. all the way to Carmel Valley Rd. Take a right on the new extension of Carmel Valley Rd. and proceed past the Community Park on the left and down the hill. Look for a sign for the park on the right and take the next right into the park entrance. Careful, this is a tight turn off Carmel Valley Rd. Proceed up the road to the staging area. Or, take Bernardo Center Dr. from the I-15 west to where it ends at the new extension of Carmel Valley Rd. Take the latter west, past the park entrance until you can take the first available U-turn back to the park. See Thomas Guide p. 1169 (E7).