Sycamore Canyon
December 8
8:45 AM
Sycamore Canyon & Gooden Ranch Preserve- meet at the parking lot
About the Hike:
Our hike is in the Goodan Ranch Sycamore Canyon County Preserve, located southeast of Poway in San Diego County. The Preserve is an approved part of the County of San Diego County Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP). The Preserve was purchased with funds from Poway, Santee, San Diego County, and the State Wildlife Conservation Board.
The trail begins at the end of Sycamore Canyon Road. We start out heading south on Martha’s Grove Trail for 2.2 miles. Martha’s Grove Trial has some steep and rocky parts at the beginning. We then head north for 0.2 miles to the visitor center along the service road. From there we continue north on the service road for 1.1 miles which brings us back to the parking lot. Total distance is 3.5 miles. The hike is mostly exposed and has great views of the canyon. For anyone not wanting to negotiate Martha’s grove, you can do an in and out hike along the service road, going as far south as you can without a permit, and then heading back to join up with the group at the visitor center. That hike is about 3 miles and is shown in green in the map below.
Directions and Parking:
Take Poway Road to Garden Road, after 1 mile on Garden Road, turn right onto Sycamore Canyon Road (look for the sign “Sycamore Canyon & Gooden Ranch Preserve”), and follow Sycamore Canyon Road to where it ends (there is a gate across the road). There will be a graded parking area, and we will meet there at 8:45am.
Note: There is no exit to Sycamore Canyon Road from Scripps Poway Parkway. Sycamore Canyon Road passes under Scripps Poway Parkway, but there is no connection between the two roads. You can only get to Sycamore Canyon Road from Garden Road.
Weather:
The weather is expected to be sunny with a high near 80, so bring plenty of water.
Restrooms:
There is a primitive restroom at the parking lot, and a nice restroom at the visitor center.
We’ll take our group picture around 9 am and start our hike.
If you arrive late, you’ll possibly have no problem catching up with some of us.
As always, you can choose to go as far as you feel comfortable or have time for.
No need to reply, just show up (and bring anyone you want).
Don’t forget water. And some of you might also want to bring sunscreen, hat, snack, camera, binoculars, GPS or walking stick.
Voluntary trash pickup: bring your own trash bag, gloves, mechanical pick-up stick, etc.
Next Hikes:
January 12 – Tooth Rock
February 9 – South Poway Loop