Cleveland National Forest Visitor's Guide
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Cleveland National Forest Insid m e: aps, c amping hiking, , driving tours, more! Visitor Guide he Cleveland National Forest is the southernmost national forest in Welcome! ¡Bienvenidos! California. Named in honor of President Cleveland, the land was Thank you for choosing to spend time in the Cleveland Tdesignated a national forest in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt. National Forest. This Visitor Concerns about watersheds and wildfires were the driving forces behind Guide is for local residents and establishing national forests at that time. visitors to southern California. We’ve included maps and The Forest includes three tailed hawk, or the scratchy nicking, and scenic driving. information about recreation mountain ranges: the Santa song of the house wren. Over Most hiking trails and facilities activities, wildlife, fire danger, Ana, Palomar, and Laguna 200 resident and migratory are open yearround. and volunteer opportunities to (Cuyamaca) Mountains. They birds can be seen in the Forest. The Cleveland National help you enjoy your visit to the are part of the Peninsular Diverse lands in the Forest Forest has a heavy concentra Cleveland National Forest. The Range, which extends for 800 provide habitat for many tion of dead and dying trees Forest offers diversity of scenery, miles from the Santa Ana wildlife species – mountain and shrubs (fuels) caused by wilderness solitude, and lots of Mountains to Baja California. lion, bobcat, mule deer, coyote, drought. This, coupled with the recreation opportunities. Farther to the north and east gray fox, ringtail cat, long tail large number of residences For almost 100 years, Forest are the San Jacinto and Santa weasel, opossum, blacktail located within and near the Service employees have been Rosa mountains. Worldfamous jackrabbits, desert cottontails, boundaries of the forest, has caring for this land as a special Mount Palomar is one of the California ground squirrel, and resulted in conditions con place for the citizens of the viewpoints along the crestline, many other small species. ducive to severe and destructive United States. You can help where, on a clear day, you can The Cleveland National wildfires. During times of high care for the land by following see views of both desert and Forest is also home to 19 wildfire potential, forest man the rules outlined in this Guide. coastal California. threatened and endangered agers may need to restrict forest As you may recall, in 2003 The mountain rocks were plants and animals. Because of use to protect the public and Southern California suffered formed 100 to 200 million the loss of habitat to nearby the natural resources of the heavy losses due to California’s years ago by deposits of marine home and business develop area. The restrictions put in worst wildfires in history. These sediments and volcanic materi ment, Forest lands have place at a particular time will wildfires impacted the way al. Earthquakes and other geo become even more important depend on local factors, such as people do things, not only in logic forces lifted and formed to the survival of these species. weather and fuel conditions, the forests but also in the the mountains 90 to 105 mil Endangered or threatened and on the fire situation surrounding communities. lion years ago. Erosion has species include the southwest throughout California. Local One thing that we are sculpted the mountains into ern willow flycatcher, the conditions, especially rainfall, will also be factors in reducing currently doing is removing what we see today. The highest coastal California gnatcatcher, the degree of restrictions. These dead and dying trees and point is Monument Peak at least Bell’s vireo, arroyo south restrictions may apply to all or shrubs from the forest. So 6,271 feet. western toad, and the Laguna don’t be surprised if you see Mountains skipper. any part of the forest. We are workers removing trees and A warm, dry Mediterranean asking the public to CHECK The Cleveland National Forest clearing dry brush in the forest climate prevails over the Cleve before you go to the Forest, call is an important recreation areas. land National Forest today – ahead (6195932183) or resource for the people of south For your safety, the Forest hot in summer, mild in winter. check the web site at ern California. An estimated 20 may need to close off certain Average annual rainfall is www.fs.fed.us/r5/cleveland million people live within a 2 areas or shut down activities approximately 15–35”. Every to see what activities and hour drive. The most popular due to fire danger. We ask you fall, hot “Santa Ana” winds places may be restricted. This activities are camping, hiking, to be patient, and, if you plan blow in from the east. Fires at will help you plan your trip. biking, horseback riding, pic on coming to the forest, call this time often burn large areas ahead to see what the Fire and are difficult to control. Danger Level is and what Of the 567,000 (gross) activities may be restricted. Cleveland National Forest Fire Danger Levels This will help you plan your trip acres, more than 75% of the accordingly. vegetation is chaparral, pre Remember, planning ahead dominantly coastal sage, che and taking safety precautions mise, manzanita and can be your way of helping the ceonothus. A few riparian, or forest. streamside areas exist, but they Have a wonderful time make up only about one per � visiting the Cleveland National cent of the Forest land. There Fire Danger/Forest Use Restriction level Forest. are large oaks in meadows and is determined by the following factors: Sincerely, along streams and Jeffrey and Coulter Pine forests at higher Current Fire Danger • Weather • Vegetation Conditions • Rainfall elevations. Some wet meadows Fire situation in California • Current fire staf fing levels are found between the high ele For more information call: TINA J. TERRELL vation pines. 6195932183 (recorded message) Forest Supervisor Listen for the piping call of or log on to www.fs.fed.us/r5/cleveland the wrentit, the scream of a red Cleveland National Forest 1 Recreation Recreation in Cleveland National Forest All OHV areas require the special registration “green stickers.” Red stickers can be used in December and January only. Because of Recreation Pass the threat of wildland fires, a USDA Forest Service approved spark arrester is required. Even with the arrester, avoid dry grass that In 2005 the Recreation could come in contact with hot vehicle parts. Enhancement Act was Protect your riding and driving privileges signed into law. This act by finding out the regulations for OHV allows the Forest use in the Forest. Contact your local Use wildlifesafe Service to collect recre Ranger Station to find out more about (propylene glycol) ation fees. Please con the location of OHV areas, current trail tact your local Forest antifreeze/coolant conditions, and other OHV activities. Service Office for additional informa Hunting tion on this program and location that it The Cleveland National Forest provides habitat for a variety of applies to. game birds and mammals. The Forest Service supports efforts by the California Department of Fish and Game to enhance and con serve wildlife resources and work cooperatively to provide hunting opportunities for the public. The Forest is open to hunting in the Scenic Drives pursuit of birds and game according to the current season schedule and hunting regulations set by the California Department of Fish A number of scenic state and county roads cross the Cleveland and Game. A license is required. National Forest. Remember that many No hunting is allowed within 150 people traveling them are out for the yards of campgrounds, trails, scenery and not speed. If you are in a fire stations, any national for hurry, pick an alternate route! Use leadfree bullets to prevent wildlife poisoning est building, roads, across any The Ortega Highway (Highway 74, body of water, offhighway vehi see map p. 7) runs for 30 miles cle areas, and private property with between Lake Elsinore and San Juan Capistrano. It is a in the boundary of the Forest. Always carry a map. winding road with great views, allow for plenty of time traveling A Cleveland National Forest map is available for $6 at the ranger through the National Forest. stations. The Highway to the Stars leads to the top of Palomar Mountain, The Forest Service protects any animals not listed as game ani the home of the worldfamous Palomar Observatory (see p. 9). mals in the state hunting regulations. From Highway 76, take the sevenmile South Grade Road which Game animals that can be hunted on the Forest are brush and climbs 2600 feet with lots of 180° turns. To return, you can take cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, blacktailed deer, and mule deer. East Grade Road, which covers the same elevation in just over 11 Game birds include turkey, quail, mourning dove, ducks and geese. miles and most of the turns are not as tight. There is no bear, mountain lion, or tree squirrel season in San The Sunrise National Scenic Byway (see map p. 11) extends Diego, Orange, or Riverside counties. from Interstate 8 near Pine Valley, north through the Laguna Copies of current regulations can be obtained from the Mountains to State Route 79 near the town of Julian. The 24mile Department of Fish and Game, local Forest Service offices, or sport route winds through mountain meadows, pine and oak forests, and ing good stores. Contact the local Ranger District office (see list on chaparral. p. 12) for more information on hunting on the Forest. Poaching Driving on Forest Service Roads should be reported by calling CalTip, 18009525400.