For many years now, I have begun a new hiking year rambling into the Peninsular-Santa Ana Mountains. This year is no different. Perhaps it is because of the fresh and clear wintry air or recently quenched,budding grasses and relieved trees that I succumb to these mountains one New Year after another. Whatever the reason, the Santa Ana's in the winter are truly extraordinary. There are no hoards on the popular trails as in the Spring, the vegetation in not parched by a merciless sun as in Summer, nor is there that overarching threat of wildfire as in Autumn. The Santa Rosa Plateau, the southern anchor of the Santa Ana Mountains, resplendent with its pastoral, open grasslands, and ancient stands of Engleman Oaks, is a magnificent place to usher in a new year of hiking.
Stats:
Category: Easy
Miles: 5.2
Elevation Gain: 400'
Location: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve County Park
The Trail: From the Hidden Valley Trailhead off of Clinton Keith Road, take the Trans-Preserve trail as it meanders through Oak Savannah and natural grassland. Soon, the path heads into a thicket of Scrub Oak, Coastal Live, and the extremely rare, indigenous
Engelman Oak, which only grows in a number of select locales throughout the Southland. The trail rises and comes to a split with cone-like Poppy Hill about 0.25 miles away to the west. Climb it now or come back and get it later; I tagged it after Monument Hill. From the aforementioned trail split, head towards east, before making a quick turn southwest on Monument Hill Rd., a wide dirt trail which heads towards its namesake promontory, 1.2 miles away. From Monument Hill's apex is a grand view of the entire preserve, with its rolling hills and tranquil meadows, northern San Diego County and the Palomar Observatory, and the Inland Empire's great preeminent mountains, covered in the white mantle of snow, the San Bernardino-San Gorgonio massif, and the symposium of San Jacinto Mountain peaks. Returning from the hill retrace your steps, and cut cross-country to the zenith of Poppy Hill, which, with its higher local prominence, offers a unique view of the surrounding countryside. After enjoying the view, go back the route fore-taken to the trailhead. If Southern California had a "Shire", this would truly be it. This unique plateau is a singularly unexampled parcel of nature in the Inland Empire; replete with its vernal pools and lakes, grassy meadows, and prosperous oak groves, it truly is a locale gem. Your trip will have been a most present stroll indeed.
Engelman Oak, which only grows in a number of select locales throughout the Southland. The trail rises and comes to a split with cone-like Poppy Hill about 0.25 miles away to the west. Climb it now or come back and get it later; I tagged it after Monument Hill. From the aforementioned trail split, head towards east, before making a quick turn southwest on Monument Hill Rd., a wide dirt trail which heads towards its namesake promontory, 1.2 miles away. From Monument Hill's apex is a grand view of the entire preserve, with its rolling hills and tranquil meadows, northern San Diego County and the Palomar Observatory, and the Inland Empire's great preeminent mountains, covered in the white mantle of snow, the San Bernardino-San Gorgonio massif, and the symposium of San Jacinto Mountain peaks. Returning from the hill retrace your steps, and cut cross-country to the zenith of Poppy Hill, which, with its higher local prominence, offers a unique view of the surrounding countryside. After enjoying the view, go back the route fore-taken to the trailhead. If Southern California had a "Shire", this would truly be it. This unique plateau is a singularly unexampled parcel of nature in the Inland Empire; replete with its vernal pools and lakes, grassy meadows, and prosperous oak groves, it truly is a locale gem. Your trip will have been a most present stroll indeed. 
No comments:
Post a Comment