Cleveland National Forest-Palomar District

[FishPOET]

Tracy and I headed south for the weekend to explore some of the southern sections of the Cleveland National Forest along with spending some time in Julian. On Saturday we ran Palomar Divide and High Point Truck Trail.



Both roads are graded and Palomar Divide is paved for 4 miles. Highlights along the way are the Maple Lode Mine, Ware Mine and Highpoint Lookout Tower. We saw two groups of wild turkeys and a couple of deer North of the High Point Tower area. We spent Saturday afternoon and evening exploring Julian.

Old burned building near Ware Mine


Highpoint Lookout Tower


Wild Turkeys


Fresh Dutch Apple Pie




On Sunday we headed for Black Mountain Truck Trail, Lusardi Truck Trail and Santa Ysabel Creek Trail. All 3 roads are graded dirt roads. There are a couple of well rutted bypasses and an old trail leading to Rose Quartz Mine.



Black Mountain has outstanding views of Ramona and the Pamo Valley. Black Canyon Road is getting a new bridge. The old bridge built in 1913 is a historic landmark and will be saved. The dam holding Sutherland Reservoir is pretty cool.

Views from Black Mountain



Black Canyon Road Bridge





Sutherland Reservoir Dam

[Mike]

Looks like a good run with some great views. Is the whole area in the "rainfall" line? Where you are in a green area, but you can see where the land starts to dry up as it turns to desert?

Good photos too. The bridge is cool, but my sick mind keeps thinking how cool it would be to crawl around on those rocks beneath it. Too bad that isn't a designated trail :haha:

[Britain]

Thanks for sharing I raised a family in Ramona in the 70's 80's. Many of those closed gates back then were open.

Used to go from Ramona to Mesa Grande and out without locked gates