Palomar Mountain

Last month we were feeling a bit under the weathre so we were not able to head, but Easter presented us with the opportunity to head out to Palomar Mountain. There are many trail in this park and this trip included hiking from Doane Pond to Thunder spring. Then to chimney flats to the fire road. At this point we just went straight onto the Scott Cabin trail and took that to the Cedar trail and headed back to Doane Pond.

While people do bring their dogs, they are not allowed on the trails. There are several parking areas and each seem to have full restrooms. Even without the restriction of dogs on trails, some areas are ramant with Poison Oak so I would recommend this hike for your dog.

Here was our starting point the Cedar trail leading out to Doane pond. The pond seems to be a popular fishing place and picnicing area offering Shades for picnic tables and other tables in the area.

The also is a god place to find ducks and other water fowl.

Doane Pond through the cattails

Another shot from the trail around Doane Pond trail to Thunder Spring. The trail was in fairly good shape and offer a mixture of heavily shaded areas to wide open meadows.









Sarah Spotted a Wild Turkey. I did get a few photos but nothing worth sharing. Further up from the turkey we also spied several deer crossing at the ridge line.












Sarah contemplates the relative quietness of Thunder Spring. It's been a very dry winter as such there was very little flow.













 Chimmney Flats area

Chimmney Flats trail

This was the start of the Scotts Cabin tour. The trail was severly damaged in the last big wild fire but has shown quite a bit of recovery. There was lots of new growth. It is unfortunate that Scotts Cabin was lost in the fire.

The Ceder trail starts with a steep decent but then has fo steep up hill sections and ends decending back to Doane Pond.

Our route was around 4 miles in length and I would call this a mildly strenous hike. There are a couple od areas where the trail is blocked a bit by fallen trees from the fire and brush, but all in all its pretty easy to navigate. Palomar Mountain is a great place to spend the day in Nature.