Trail Information - Park Ranger Updates

If you have questions regarding the opening or closing of the preserve during the rainy season please give the Rangers a call at 858-538-8066.

March 10, 2010  
Open Trails
Main Trail (access road) south side
Main Trail (access road) north side except between Wagon Wheel Crossing and Side Hill Trail (it has been signed/barricaded)
The trails going up to the north rim are also open
Wagon Wheel and Ranch House Crossings
Camino Ruiz Trail

Closed Trails
Single track (narrow trails) under the tree canopy
Peñasquitos Creek, Carson and Sycamore Crossings
All Del Mar Mesa Preserve Trails

March 3, 2010  We are going to go ahead and open up the main road/trails in LPCP. The creek crossings are closed as well as the single track trails under the tree canopy. Stay on the trails, don’t go around the puddles as it widens an already wide trail.

The National Weather Service is calling for a 20% - 30% chance of rain Friday night and Saturday morning and 60% chance of rain Saturday night and Sunday. If we do get that rain, then just assume that the Preserve is closed until further notice. Thanks for the cooperation, we will get you on the trails as soon as we safely can.

February 24, 2010  Even though we are expecting more rain showers this evening, we are going to go ahead and open the main trail (access road) on both sides of the creek. Remember that the north side is still washed out between Wagon Wheel Crossing and Side Hill Trail, it should be signed/barricaded, unless someone has moved them.

Only Wagon Wheel and Ranch House Crossings are open (they are the farthest east and west creek crossings). All other creek crossings are closed b/c the bridges are out.

Please stay off the single tracks under the tree canopy. They are saturated and there are downed trees.

There is another storm forecast to hit our area Friday night into Saturday, so we may be closed this weekend, again. If it’s raining just assume that the trails will be closed for another 48 hours after the rain stops. Please use sound judgment; don’t put yourself, your horse, equipment or the land in a position that could cause harm/damage.

Keep an eye out for puddles, don’t create a work around to avoid them, that leads to unwanted widening of the trails. Stay on the designated trails at all times, (most likely the access roads) going off to the sides puts you in a dangerous position. The ground is very saturated and you can sink, especially horses. We aren’t accustomed to so much moisture for such a long period of time, it requires an adjustment in our thinking and habits. I really appreciate the work you are all doing to help us keep the trails and the Preserves in such good conditions. We are really making improvements, keep up the good work and please pass this information on to everyone you know uses the trails.

As a reminder, a game trail ( where the deer, rabbits and coyotes roam) is not a recreational trail for us(hiker, equestrian or biker) stay out! Keep those areas free of humans, the animals need a safe place to be animals.

February 20, 2010  As you can guess we are asking that everyone stay off the trails in Los Peñasquitos and surrounding areas for at least 48 hours after the last storm passes. Please pass this along and thanks for your help.

February 13, 2010 We had another good soaking this week, but the trails held up pretty well. We are going to go ahead and open the majority of the trails below are the trails that are still closed.

Closed
North main road between Wagon Wheel Crossing and Side Hill
East/West Single Track Trails under tree canopy
Peñasquitos Creek, Carson and Sycamore Crossings
Del Mar Mesa Preserve

All other trails not mentioned above are open. Now if you notice there is a lot of mud or some other obstacle, please do not create a use pattern around it, off trail. Either turn around or go over it if you can and let me know if it’s something that needs immediate attention.

Thanks for your help and have a great weekend.

February 6, 2010 It’s raining pretty good right now, and with the trails already being as saturated as they were, ALL TRAILS ARE CLOSED.

Hopefully this storm won’t last too long. Once the rain stops completely and we give the trails at least 48 hours to rest we will get out and evaluate what can be opened and what needs to stay closed.

February 2, 2010 Okay I have good news. We were able to open a bunch of trails today, short lived as it may be; we’re supposed to get more rain this weekend L. The list is below:

OPEN
South side main trail (access road)
Camino Ruiz
Ranch House Crossing
Wagon Wheel Crossing
North side main trail (access road, except for section mentioned below)
North rim trails, i.e. Sidehill, Cobbles, etc.
Trails east of Black Mnt Road.

CLOSED
All Single Track trails on canyon floor, except bridges it’s open
North side main trail between Sidehill and Wagon Wheel Crossing (Mary Anna’s trench blew out big time)
Del Mar Mesa Preserve

January 29, 2010  We have beautiful warm So Cal weather right now. However, the trails are still really wet. I am in the process of assessing the damages, we lost most all our creek crossings, Mary Anna’s Trench has blown out, there are trees down and the creek is still running pretty high. So, even though we have had three really nice sunny warm days, all the trails are still closed.

As soon as the trails dry out enough to get a truck in with some materials and the puddles shrink back to get around them we may be able to open the north side, but I think we’re still looking at a week of closure. I know it’s tempting, but please stay out. You’re all doing a really great job, I appreciate the support and many offers of help, keep up the good work and we’ll get you back on the trails as soon as possible.

January 22, 2010 It will be sometime before we are able to even get into the canyon to do a thorough inspection of the damage. I know there will be a lot, so we need to brace ourselves for a long closed stretch. It’s at this time that it is most important to stay out of the canyon. When there is major damage and people go in, they are forced to go around the damaged areas creating more impact to the adjacent habitat, which takes us longer to repair and that means the trails stay closed longer than they have to. Additionally, there were very strong winds during the storm and with as much ground saturation as we have, there are surely many trees down and/or teetering on the edge all over the canyon. Please protect yourself by staying off the trails. We usually start repairing the access roads first, to facilitate the maintenance vehicles, then we get to the single track. So, the single tracks are going to be closed even longer than everything else for several reasons: 1) they sustain more damage b/c they are so close to the creek 2) they don’t dry out as fast b/c they are in the shade of the trees and 3) there are many more trees that can fall and close off section and/or create dangerous conditions.

We needed this rain, but not so much at one time. Please bear with us as our small crew takes makes the needed repairs on the trails. If you are willing and able to help, our crew works Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We meet at the Ranger office next to the Canyonside Stables (equestrian center) on the east side of Black Mountain Road.

January 20, 2010 I’m sure you all already know, but I’ll tell you anyway, all the trails in Los Peñasquitos, Carmel Mountain and Del Mar Mesa are closed. According to the meteorologists, the worst part of these storms haven’t hit us yet. So we are bracing for more rain and a very long trail closure. We really appreciate all your help in keeping the trails in good condition by staying off of them until they are completely dry. This is most important b/c of our high clay content soils. Any tracks leave semi permanent tracks that can cause significant erosion and negative impacts to the adjacent vegetation.

January 15, 2010 I just wanted to let you know that we are preparing for the potential storm event that is heading this direction. Just in case I am not near a computer when it starts raining, assume that all the trails will be closed. We have tried to secure our bridges so we don’t lose them completely, though they are meant to “break away” during storm events to prevent blockage of the creek. When it does start to rain, check out this website to see how the creek flow changes http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?11023340 it gives you a good idea why the trails are closed for so long after it rains.

January 8, 2010 The major portion of work on the Camino Ruiz Trail has been complete. We are still working on the lower portion, but we have decided to go ahead and open the trail for use. Please be aware of people working on the trail, be safe and have fun.

December 16, 2009
The warm dry weather has allowed us to open most of the trails.

CLOSED:
Del Mar Mesa fire road to protect vernal pool habitat.

LPCP south single track trail between Peñasquitos Creek Crossing and Carson Crossing

Peñasquitos Creek Crossing

Camino Ruiz Trail

Camino Ruiz Trail will remain closed as we are performing some needed enhancement/repairs while we have the weather for it. There will be material and equipment in the path, so for safety and sustainability of the work, it will be closed for a few months. I think the work that is being done will be greatly appreciated once it opens up again.

There are still some puddles on the trails. Do Not go into the vegetation to avoid them, stay on the exposed dirt or ride through. There is obviously some water damage around the crossings so exercise extreme caution, especially those of you on horseback (the creeks can become very deep at the crossings and roots become exposed).

Thanks for your cooperation, we had a lot less closure violators than last year. Keep up the good work on getting the information out and for being such good stewards.

December 8, 2009
All the trails in Los Penasquitos Canyon, Carmel Mountain, and Del Mar Mesa Preserves are closed until further notice. We are expecting another storm surge Thursday/Friday this week so we will likely be closed for a while. We really appreciate your sharing this information with everyone you know that uses our trails and for your cooperating with the closures.

As soon as we can open any trail I will let you know, until then, stay dry, be safe and enjoy the SoCal winter

December 2, 2009  This is the start of the rainy season. This first rain wasn’t enough to cause us to close the trails; however it was enough to knock out the second bridge on the trail east of Black Mountain Road. We will be removing the bridge for the season as we always do. I will keep you updated as conditions in the canyon change. Be safe and I’ll see you on the trail.

October 6, 2009
The construction at the west end of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve on the north side is the Peñasquitos Lagoon Sedimentation Basin. The Los Peñasquitos Lagoon Foundation is construction a basin to collect sediment during high water condition to prevent silt build up in the lagoon. The construction phase should be a fairly quick process which is requiring a trail detour up and around the site on the access road from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Once the soil hauling is complete they will begin the rip rap wall placement and some planting.

July 24, 2009  The day we have all been waiting for has finally arrived, the grand opening of the Camino Ruiz Trail. Save the Date:
Saturday, August 8, 2009
10:00 a.m.
Camino Ruiz Neighborhood Park

June 26, 2009
The top Cobbles trailhead (off of Duck Pond Lane) will be rerouted started next week. Instead of going directly behind the houses, the trail will be directed below the slope along on the new road cut. The work should take a day or two. The trail will be marked with the orange fence, the fence posts will be capped, and it will be about 10 feet wide. If you have any questions or concerns just contact me and we can talk. See you on the trail.

June 25, 2009
The Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve parking lot on Sorrento Valley Blvd will be closed July 1 and 2, 2009 for resurfacing and striping. The trails will be open. For those of you that come from Qualcomm you will be able to access the trail by going through the fenced area and over the step over bar. For all others you can enter the trail by using the trailhead by the adobe ruins. I really appreciate your cooperation.

May 28, 2009
I have great news everyone: Mariana’s Trench is filled. That is the huge road/trail washout on the north side between Side Hill Trail and Wagon Wheel crossing. The Urban Corps worked very hard this last week to complete a rock bridge to fill in the trench. The narrow bridge is gone and the tail is now open to everyone, including the horses because it is safe to cross.

We may be doing more work in the area in the next couple of weeks, installing “rock dams” upstream to help slow the water gushing down the trench from the storm drain outlets and possibly build up some silt.

I hope you enjoy the renewed trail, see you out there.

April 28, 2009
Hello to all my East of Black Mountain Road Trail users. MWWD is working on the sewer line on the trail between Black Mountain Road and I-15. The trail is still open, just watch out for their equipment and be careful on the bridges b/c they are covered with steel plates right now. The work should only take a week or so, they are cleaning the line.

April 21, 2009
All trails are open.

April 16, 2009
Hi everyone,
You may have heard of the passing of the Preserve’s dear friend Jack Northrop. A memorial ride is being planned for May 9th from Carmel Valley to the El Cuervo Adobe on the west end of LPCP.

There are a few hitching posts and a small gathering area at that location that have fallen into disrepair and it would be great if we could get 5 or more people to come out for a hour or two and help spruce the place up prior to the ride. I was looking at Wednesday the 29th or Friday the 24th or 1st of May starting at about 4:30 P.M. If you can help, let me know. I will provide the tools and transport/disposal of debris we collect. If I can get 5 people on any one of those days, that will be the one we chose.

Feb. 28, 2009
Open
Main Trail North
Main Trail South
Carson Crossing
Wagon Wheel Crossing
Single Tracks to north mesas

Closed
Single Tracks, south side
Single Tack north side between PQ Creek Park and Carson Crossing
Ranch House Crossing
Peñasquitos Creek Crossing
Sycamore Crossing

Feb. 24, 2009
I have good news and bad news. The good news is that the north trail is open including the section between Wagon Wheel and Side Hill where the huge trench was cut. We have installed a temporary foot bridge, so that section of trail is open to bikers and hikers, it is not safe for horses. The bad news is that the north single track between Peñasquitos Creek Crossing and Carson’s Crossing is closed due to a few downed trees and the south trails and creek crossings are still closed b/c they are still very wet.

Feb. 20, 2009
We were able to open the North Main Trail except between Side Hill and Wagon Wheel, also the north single track between PQ Creek Park and Carson Crossing is closed b/c an oak tree fell across it and we can't get to it right now. All Creek Crossings and the South Side Trails are Closed. The TCT east of Black Mountain Road is open again.

8AM February 17, 2009
Good Morning, We got some serious rain last night, almost 750 cubic feet per second. Needless to say, all the trails are still closed and will remain closed for several days. There is no safe way for us to get in to examine all the conditions. As soon as we can get in safely I will update you all on what I find. Until then, enjoy the fresh air and the green hills.

April 29, 2008
Hi all, I thought I’d share a bit about the fire that occurred in Los Pen on Sunday, April 27. The fire started in the early afternoon about 1p.m. It burned the north slope on the west end between the two power lines that run across the canyon. It burned mostly mustard and grasses and just a bit of sage…

February 11, 2008
I just met with Pardee and the grading contractor this morning and we have good news.

“Side Hill” will remain open for the duration of the project. Access will be provided by going to the end of Carmel Mountain Road, past the construction trailer office where a trail will be delineated with orange fence and signs behind the newest construction site up to the power line tower, and follow the newly installed signs to “Side Hill”.

Cobbles/Queens will remain open with a slight variation at the entrance/exit onto Del Vino; ALL USERS will have to enter from the east side of Del Vino on the d.g. path through the wooden bollards.

Shaw Valley Trail will be OPEN WEEKENDS ONLY (Saturday and Sunday). This is a little more difficult to explain, but once all the work is done and signs are in it should be easy to follow. The grading contractor will be installing a road from the end of Carmel Mountain Rd. winding east down into the valley and then back up to the mesa, this would obviously cause an impassable berm; however they will install a ramp on the north side of the berm from the trail that will be open on weekends for equestrians and hikers to get up to the newly constructed road, turn west toward Carmel Mountain Rd and link onto the new trail access to “Side Hill”. This will all be signed and fenced.

THERE WILL BE NO ACCESS TO THE CENTER OF THE MESA FROM ANY OF THE TRAILS FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT. DO NOT VANDALIZE/PASS THE ORANGE FENCE INTO THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE FOR YOUR SAFETY!!! Some of the orange fence will be protecting vernal pools that are being restored, so it is very important that you STAY OUT.

The developer assured me that trails are a high priority, they want to get the grading done and the new trails in as soon as possible. The new trail will go along the rim of the canyon and then a bit through the neighborhood past and through the vernal pool sites that are being preserved. It won’t be the winding ups and downs that are there now, but it will be a nice link between Cobbles and Side Hill/Shaw Valley.

Now I know there is concern that even though Cobbles and Side Hill are open, having no way to connect by way of the mesa seemingly doesn’t do any good unless you live in the neighborhood. However, I have to disagree with that view. Once you pop out of Cobbles, go out to Del Vino and then down Del Mar Mesa Rd to the west (there are multi use trails along the road, or just ride the road) until you get to Carmel Country Rd go south up the hill to Carmel Mountain Rd and turn east to the end where you can access Side Hill. I know it’s not Open Space, but you’ll get a good work out and it is a great loop. Also, you can access the Neighborhood 10 trails and “Eucalyptus” from Carmel Country Road. It will be something new…

I really want to emphasize again how important it is to not build/cut any new trails through the open space areas. This is a transition we all have to deal with, so let’s make it as easy and uneventful as possible.

Please pass this email on to everyone you know that uses the Del Mar Mesa trails so they won’t be caught off guard Monday morning when they go out for their daily run. Thanks, BE SAFE AND HAVE FUN.

Gina Washington
Senior Park Ranger
City of San Diego, Open Space Division
858.538.8066 (PH)