San Dieguito River Park

ACTIVITY CALENDAR WINTER 2007 Learn…protect…enjoy

What To Do Before You Hit The Trail!

“Wilderness Survival for Kids (And Adults Too)”

Saturday, February 10th 9:30 am -- 11:30 am in the Community Room located on the outside second level next to McDonalds at Westfield North County Fair Mall, 200 East Via Rancho Parkway in Escondido Free; limited seating, first come-first served

If your child wandered off from the trail, a picnic ground, a campsite, or a park, would he know what to do? It can happen anywhere, anytime. Don’t let fear keep your children from having enjoyable outdoor experiences. Studies have shown that children develop a love of nature and outdoor recreation that can last a lifetime. Take time to instill basic safety tips and essential techniques that will give your child (and you!) the confidence to hit the trail!

Initiated in response to a local child lost in Mount Palomar State Park, “Wilderness Survival for Kids (And Adults Too)” was a program begun by now-retired Oceanside Police Captain Stephen Scarano. He and friend Tom Bussey, retired OPD Sergeant, launched community seminars to spur awareness and to teach people basic survival techniques. Now part of the San Dieguito River Park Trail Patrol they continue to be active in search and rescue and educational outreach activities.

Join us, along with members from the San Diego Mountain Rescue Team, the Southwest Search Dogs, and wilderness survival experts!

Women’s Awareness 101

Ladies, this one’s for you! How often do you pass up opportunities to get out and explore? Do you feel just a little more vulnerable in the open? Come and learn basic awareness skills that will give you the confidence you need to get out and get active! Instructor Hal Collier, who holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, will share with you easy martial arts techniques and simple-to-put-into-practice tips to minimize discomfort in any unfamiliar setting. Hike for your mental and physical health today!

This session will be held on Saturday, March 31st, from 10:00 am till noon. Call (858) 674-2275 for location, directions, and to reserve a space. No Cost.

18372 Sycamore Creek Road • Escondido, CA • 92025 • (858) 674-2270 • www.sdrp.org

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Around The San Dieguito River Park . . . The San Dieguito River Valley stretches from the beach at Del Mar for 55 miles to the foothills of Volcan Mountain near Julian. Each area of the Coast-to-Crest Trail provides a different experience for visitors!

The San Dieguito Lagoon Wetland Restoration Project is underway!

To celebrate the restoration efforts the Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley are offering bus tours free of charge on these dates: January 13th, February 17th, March 17th, April 14th, May 19th, and June 16th

The tour will take participants around 700 acres of public lands owned by the San Dieguito River Park and will make six stops. Tour Times are 9:00 am and 11:00 am and last approximately two hours. Seating is limited and you must reserve in advance. Call (858) 674- 2275 extension 14 for more information and to leave your name, phone number, and preferred schedule. This is a special offer so take advantage of it!

Location: San Dieguito Lagoon/Strawberry Stand Wetland Learning Center Directions: Exit I-5 Via de la Valle and go east. Turn right on San Andres Drive and enter Park at gate. Off street parking is also available on San Andres Drive.

Don’t feel up to hiking, bicycling, or horseback riding down the trails or even taking a bus ride around the coastal area?

Take A Virtual Journey into the San Dieguito River Valley!

The Escondido Art Association, a cooperative of county artists working to promote the visual arts for 50 years – and the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy – are offering this gallery exhibit for display at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead from January 20th to March 20th so come and be inspired by the views of the San Dieguito River Valley! Restoration of the house is in progress and we invite you to see the new wallpaper too!

Open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm 12655 Sunset Drive, Escondido, CA 92025 No Admission Fees

“Stargazing in the San Pasqual Valley” continues with Public Star Parties on January 13th, February 10th, and March 10th from 5:00 pm to 11pm weather permitting at the San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park located at 1666 San Pasqual Valley Road, 1.5 miles east of the Wild Animal Park on Highway 78. (Park at the San Diego Archaeological Center)

There will be a special workshop on Saturday, January 13th at 3:00 pm for all those who would like assistance with their telescopes, courtesy of State of California Department Of Parks and OPT (Oceanside Photo & Telescope) Special presentations and lectures will resume in the summer Call (760) 737-2698 for recorded information

18372 Sycamore Creek Road • Escondido, CA • 92025 • (858) 674-2270 • www.sdrp.org

GUIDED HIKES Get Out and Get Active! Meet and hike with members of the San Dieguito River Park Trail Patrol No Reservations Required -- Just Join Us! For trail maps of the Mule Hill/ San Pasqual Valley Agricultural Preserve Trail, the Piedras Pintadas Interpretive Trail, the North Shore Lake Hodges and Highland Valley Trail, please visit our website at www.sdrp.org or call (858) 674-2270.

Saturday, January 27th Hike With The Hounds 9:00am -- 10:30am Join San Dieguito River Park Trail Patrollers Jan Hughes and Sue Munz on a hike to Felicita Creek along the North Shore Trail. All dogs are welcome but must be leashed! Bring water for both you and your best friend. Location: North Shore Trail from Sunset Drive Directions: Exit Via Rancho Parkway from I-15, and head east. Turn right at the next light on Sunset Drive. Park at the end of the road; we will be hiking under the overpass toward the lake.

Saturday, February 3rd You and I and the Kumeyaay 8:30am – 10:30am Hike with Westley Lagerberg and Sam Sugarman and discover a little bit about the flora, fauna, plants, habitats, birds, and lore of the area. This interpretive trail has something for everyone! Bring water. Location: Bernardo Bay Natural Area for the Piedras Pintadas Trail Directions: Exit I-15 at Rancho Bernardo Road and go west; right onto West Bernardo Drive; continue past Rancho Bernardo Community Park to Bernardo Bay staging area on left; park in dirt lot.

Saturday, February 24th What Happened On The Way To Bernardo 8:30am – 10:30am Take a walk through time on the Mule Hill Trail with San Dieguito River Park Docents and Trail Patrollers Ron Hall and Diane St. John. Learn about the history of the town of Bernardo and what happened to it and get a tour of the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead! Location: Mule Hill Trail/Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead Directions: Follow the directions above to Sunset Drive (12655 Sunset Drive, Escondido, California, 92025) Meet at the kiosk near the farmstead on the Mule Hill Trail, going east.

Saturday, March 3rd Out and About 8:30am – 10:00am Accompany San Dieguito River Park Trail Patrol Ann Trunnell and Mary Rountree on a hike around Del Dios Park around Lake Hodges. The trail to the Dam is not open, so we will head east, exploring the area where the trails connect. Bring water. Location: Lake Hodges, Del Dios West Directions: Exit Via Rancho Parkway from I-15 and head west. Turn left onto Lake Drive. Parking lots are available across the street from Hernandez Hideaway Restaurant.

Saturday, March 10th Raptor’s View 9:00am – 11:00am Pull on your hiking boots, grab your water bottles and prepare to trek across the beautiful San Pasqual Valley with Trail Patrollers Chuck Anderson and Sharon Valente. The view from Raptor’s Ridge is gorgeous! The trail is steep so expect a workout! Location: Ysabel Creek Staging Area to Raptor Ridge Directions: From the Wild Animal Park on Highway 78 continue east to Bandy Canyon Road; turn right. Drive past the Verger Dairy. Ysabel Creek Staging Area is on the right side of road.

Saturday, March 24th Signs of Spring 9:00am – 11:00am Keep a relaxed pace with mother-daughter Trail Patrol Gabi McCusker and Angela Gonzales. From the Bandy Canyon Staging Area meander past citrus groves and farmlands with the mountains to your back and the San Pasqual Valley in view. Location: Bandy Canyon Staging Area/San Pasqual Valley Directions: See above directions. Bandy Canyon Road is off Highway 78 four miles east of the Wild Animal Park. The Staging Area entrance is located immediately on the right.

18372 Sycamore Creek Road • Escondido, CA • 92025 • (858) 674-2270 • www.sdrp.org Trail Maintenance and Habitat Restoration Work Projects The restoration of our Park’s trail system and the creation of wildlife habitat are essential to providing a quality experience for all River Park visitors.

Weekend work projects are designed to get volunteers working hands-on in the field. We welcome individuals, families, and community groups to help! We provide training, tools and water. This is an excellent way to earn hours, credits and badges! Please call (858) 674-2275 x14 for additional information, directions or to leave your reservation. All work projects take place rain or shine!

Trail Maintenance 8:00am – 11:00am Sunday, January 14th Location: Bernardo Bay Natural Area Exit I-15 at Rancho Bernardo Road and go west; right onto West Bernardo Drive; continue past Rancho Bernardo Community Park to Bernardo Bay staging area on left; park in dirt lot. Sunday, February 11th Location: Sunset Drive to North Shore Exit I-15 at Via Rancho Parkway and go east ~0.25 miles to Sunset Drive. Turn right and park at end of street. Sunday, March 11th Location: Bandy Canyon Road at Hwy 78 From I-15, follow directions to the San Diego Wild Animal Park located on Highway 78. Go about four miles east of Wild Animal Park, cross the bridge and turn right onto Bandy Canyon Road. The entrance to the staging area is on the right-hand side just before the orange groves.

Trail work may consist of the following: trimming vegetation with loppers; using hand tools such as shovels, rakes; installing fence or sign posts; compacting and shaping soil.

Habitat Restoration 8:00am – 11:00am Saturday, January 20th Location: Bandy Canyon Road at Hwy 78 See above directions Saturday, February 17th Location: Del Dios Park at Lake Hodges Exit I-15 at Via Rancho Parkway and go west; just before the light at Del Dios Hwy., turn left onto Lake Drive; continue on Lake Drive to the stop sign at the Del Dios Country Store; turn left and go through yellow gate; continue to end and park in lot at Concession Stand. Saturday, March 17th Location: Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead Exit I-15 at Via Rancho Parkway and go east ~0.25 miles to Sunset Drive. Turn right and park at end of street.

Habitat work may consist of the following: planting and harvesting native vegetation; spreading mulch and rock; collecting seeds; watering; weeding; removing non-native plants.

Like the river that begins in the ancient forests of Volcan Mountain and winds through rich farmlands of the San Dieguito River Valley to the San Dieguito Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean, the vision of the San Dieguito River Park reaches out to the future with ideals of preservation and protection of the beautiful rural character of the San Dieguito River Valley. From the Coast to Crest Trail system that will someday link trails and paths from Del Mar to Anza Borrego - over 55 miles - to the celebration and preservation of our local heritage and natural resources, the San Dieguito River Park is creating recreational and educational opportunities that interface gently with nature.

18372 Sycamore Creek Road • Escondido, CA • 92025 • (858) 674-2270 • www.sdrp.org