A Line from your President…
As the seemingly never ending heat of summer is finally coming to an end and Autumn temperatures set in, my mind wanders to memories of the fall colors in the Eastern Sierras. Many of you were disappointed that this year’s June Lake trip was cancelled due to fire danger and you missed the fall colors in the mountains, but their is still plenty of opportunity to enjoy the fall colors right here in San Diego county. With the Covid Pandemic dragging on, a trip to view the colors is a great way to get out and enjoy a safe outing. I recently discovered an article on the internet website, “lajolla.com/article/ fall-colors-in-san-diego/”. The following are excerpts from that article: “Believe it or not, you don’t have to travel to the East Coast to experience fall colors, you can stay right here in southern California! There are a bunch of places in and nearby San Diego County to see the leaves changing colors, many of which are state parks. Every October and fall, the leaves of the black oak make a transition from green to vivid golds and oranges.
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Just about every hiking trail here will have something to offer in terms of cool autumn hues on the surrounding trees. There are also plenty of hiking options ranging in length and difficulty. We recommend hiking around Lake Cuyamaca, which provides a nice backdrop for those fall colors.
Palomar Mountain State Park Thanks to its dense woodlands, high elevation, and remoteness, it’s the dream location to watch the leaves change colors. Bring the family or simply a friend to walk one of the park’s many trails. Varying in both length and difficulty, there’s a trail for everyone to enjoy. We recommend the French Valley to Weir Trail, a relatively flat 3.8-mile trail that showcases the best of Palomar Mountain’s woodlands and is a prime destination for fall foliage!
Julian If you want a true fall experience, Julian is the place to go. Spend a day checking out the historic downtown, visiting an old gold mine, or hiking the nearby trails. To really get the fall foliage experience, we recommend hiking the 1.65-mile Canyon Oak Trail within William Heise County Park for views of the great oaks towering above.
Mount Laguna One of the most popular places to see fall foliage in the area. It lies on the eastern edge of the Cleveland National Forest at close to 6,000 feet above sea level in a towering forest of Jeffrey pines. Among the several hiking trails, we recommend the 3.25-mile Sunset Trail. The trail takes hikers through a dense pine forest and features stunning panoramic views of the area below. During the fall, this trail is spotted with yellows, oranges, and reds galore. “ A bonus to a fall color trip to either Palomar State Park or Lake Cuyamaca is that you can also stop and fish for trout while you are there. Trout fishing is also starting up at Dixon, Wohlford, and Poway Lakes at the beginning of this month. This is another great way to get out and enjoy the fresh air.
Tony Smock President
“So Many Fish…...So Little Time”
