Palomar Mountain

Palomar Mountain State Park Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Enjoy a commanding view of scenic vistas from Palomar Mountain State Park’s Boucher Hill, or hike along forestcovered ridges, valleys, California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (760) 742-3462. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369. (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Palomar Mountain State Park 19952 State Park Road Palomar, CA 92060 (760) 742-3462 www.parks.ca.gov/palomarmountain © 2015 California State Parks and grassy meadows. P alomar Mountain State Park features 1,862 acres of pristine forest, peaceful meadows, and pleasing panoramas of northern San Diego County. Visitors can camp, hike, fish, picnic, and relax in nature. In summer, temperatures average a balmy 80 degrees. Winters bring snow to the park, with freezing temperatures that can dip below 30 degrees. Spring and autumn are moderate. PARK HISTORY Native People Over millennia, what is now called Palomar Mountain was used by many local native groups  — likely the Cupeño, Ipai, and Serrano people. However, the mountain stands in traditional Luiseño territory. They maintained seasonal villages on the mountain, where they hunted game and gathered acorns and other seed crops. The Pechanga Luiseño called the mountain Pa’áaw (pah-OW), and the area of Pauma Luiseño summer encampments (now within the park’s boundaries) was known as Wavimai. The Luiseño people named the village site at Cedar Grove Pee-nav-angña and what is now Doane Valley was called O-us-koon, meaning “wild lilac.” Luiseño grinding rock Boucher Hill Fire Lookout Tower honor and restore their ancient languages and culture. The United States gained control of California in 1848. Palomar Mountain remained a wild place for many years. The mountain was sparsely populated with native people and some homesteaders. Settlers, such as George Edwin Doane — for whom Doane Valley is named — raised livestock, grew hay, and planted apple orchards. Some of these apple trees still bear fruit today. Palomar Mountain State Park was created in 1933 during the Great Depression. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) members  — young men employed by the federal government to help lower unemployment — built many of the roads, trails and picnic facilities still used in the park today. Colonization Spanish colonists established Mission San Luis Rey in 1798, in what is now Oceanside. The missionaries called the blue mountain range “Sierra de Palomar.” Native Californians from the surrounding area, renamed Luiseño after Mission San Luis Rey, were brought to the mission to work. An unfamiliar diet and epidemic diseases carried by Spanish émigrés killed great numbers of native people. Mexico won independence NATHANIEL HARRISON from Spain in 1821. Through the 1833 Secularization Act, In the 1880s, “Nate” Harrison, a former slave who came former mission lands were to be to California during the distributed among the surviving Gold Rush, made remote native people who had labored Palomar Mountain his at the missions. Instead, large home. Harrison grew hay tracts (ranchos) were granted to and raised hogs near the Mexican citizens. Native people eastern edge of today’s park. either attempted to return to He died in 1920, reportedly their homes or worked on the living to the age of 101. The ranchos. Many were forcibly park’s Nate Harrison Grade moved to the Temecula Valley. Road is named for him. Today’s Luiseño people work to overlooks the Pauma Valley. The first fire lookout tower here was erected in 1935, and this restored tower was built in 1948. The Boucher Hill Fire Lookout Tower is available for guided tours when volunteers are available, unless fire-spotting is needed. Boucher Hill also features a nearby accessible view deck with a panorama of the Pauma Valley below. Fishing at Doane Pond NATURAL HISTORY Palomar Mountain’s average 5,000-foot elevation features mixed conifer forest and meadows, uncommon in Southern California. On the trails wending through the 450acre Doane Valley Natural Preserve, hikers pass white fir, incense cedar and big-cone Douglas-fir trees that provide ample shade. Flowering trees and shrubs in meadowlands and streamside riparian areas blanket the mountain with color each spring. Western dogwoods, azaleas, and lilies blossom, while lupine and penstemon poke through native meadow grasses. Such bird species as western bluebirds, woodpeckers, and red-shouldered hawks make this a birder’s haven. Predators such as gray foxes, coyotes, and bobcats may be spotted. Easier to see are southern mule deer and gray squirrels. Boucher Hill Fire Lookout Tower The mountain has a long history of devastating wildfires, many caused by lightning. The Boucher Hill Fire Lookout Tower, at 5,400 feet elevation, RECREATION Camping —  Doane Valley Campground has 31 family campsites. Each site has a table, fire ring, barbecue, and food locker. Restrooms and piped drinking water are available nearby. Group Campgrounds  — The Cedar Grove Group Campground has three areas for groups. Group Camp #1 is suitable for trailers and camper vans up to 21 feet in length and up to 25 people; two other group sites can accommodate up to 15 people for tent camping only. Reserve all campsites in advance at www.parks.ca.gov/ palomarmountain or call (800) 444-7275. Fishing — Fishing is available year round at Doane Pond with a valid California fishing license. Fishing hours are 6 a.m. to sunset. Picnicking — Silvercrest picnic area features shaded picnic tables, barbecue pits, and restrooms. Hiking — Palomar Mountain State Park has multiple hiking trails of varying difficulties. Please consult the map for hiking routes, use caution, and stay on the trails. Red-shouldered hawk ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Three sites at the Doane Valley Campground and one at the Cedar Grove Group Camp #1 are designated accessible. Restrooms, the Silvercrest day-use area, and the Boucher Hill view deck are accessible. Accessibility is continually improving. For updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. NEARBY STATE PARKS • San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park 15808 San Pasqual Valley Road Escondido 92027 (760) 737-2201 • Carlsbad State Beach 7201 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad 92008 (769) 438-3143 This park is supported in part through the Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park P.O. Box 91, Palomar, CA 92060 (951) 265-6385 www.friendsofpalomarsp.org PLEASE REMEMBER • Except for service animals, dogs are not allowed on unpaved trails. Dogs are welcome on leash in campgrounds and on paved trails, but they must be confined in a tent or vehicle at night. • Firewood is sold at the camp host site or kiosk. Please contain fires to designated barbecues and fire rings. • All natural and cultural features of Palomar Mountain State Park are protected by law and may not be disturbed or removed. • Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Generator use is not allowed from 8 p.m. until 10 a.m. 54 00 5200 ' ' 52 00 5200' Palomar Mountain ' 52 00 540 CNF to Temecula and Lake Perris SRA 0 CNF a Ro PA L O M A R 50 00 ' M O U N T5 A I N 20 0' S TAT E PA R K ra il Do Silv e 00 40 54 ' 00 34 0 0 0.25 0.25 1 Mile 0.5 0.5 1 1.5 Kilometers ' 00 32 520 CNF 4400' 4200 4000 ' ' ' 50 0' 00 F ' ad Ro 3600' mney e Pa rk ' 3800 Ch i at ts la St ' 4800 k PRIVATE PROPERTY Maintenance Road 00 ' 00 Cree Historic Orchard rcr Park es Headquarters t Tra il 4600' Tr ai ' ' Va lle y Sp rin ' 00 ' 00 00 e 52 44 42 Silvercrest Picnic Area ' 52 e a an l 00 ' Do an ne lley Va Sco tt’s Trail Cabin Spu r 00 r Do 48 Up pe 48 ' 00 ' ' Th un de r 00 46 50 Santee 00 805 FOREST (CNF) ail Tr 50 56 C L E V E L A N D N AT I O N A L g © 2015 California State Parks ' Trail T 00 520 Bou c er Ro h ad (O 0' NE WA Bo uch er Tra il 67 Poway Torrey Pines SB Doane Pond in 52 ' e Wood Sales 00 Encinitas Torrey Pines SNR School Camp Road R o ad Ca b 0' 50 Grad Y) 540 Harrison Scott’s Cabin San Pasqual Battlefield SHP 00 Ba pt is t d t’s ot Sc Trail Boucher Trail Valley Ced ar Adams Boucher Lookout Tower CNF Doane Doane Valley Nature Trail 78 54 Trail e to Pauma Valley & Hwy 76 View Point Fire Escondido ' to Hwy 76 Palomar Vista Road Fern Meadow Rd a um Pa Nat Leucadia SB Moonlight SB San Elijo SB Cardiff SB Road Picnic Area Restrooms With Showers ’s er 0' Restrooms My 480 Ranger Station ' Parking Cedar Grove Group Campground South Carlsbad SB to San Diego W eir Tra il Baptist Road 15 San Marcos Carlsbad Carlsbad SB Doane Valley Campground ail Tr 4600' to San Ysidro Vista 00 ' e an 4400' Oceanside 5 Y E E V L R L E il A Tra V 4800' E S R P 3600' Locked Gate ' 76 78400' 00 PRIVATE PROPERTY Group Campground 50 E Fishing N 0' ' 5 00 Lower D o ' 0' Campground 00 k y 00 380 32 Weir Historic Site lle Va 340 Campfire Center 46 5400' to Laguna Beach L 4400' 42 ee A Cr R Intermittent Stream Accessible Feature ch en Fr CNF 4600' 52 A U ' CNF Forest/Natural Preserve O 00 T Trail: Hike A 46 Unpaved/Service Road N ' 5200 ' 4800 Palomar Mountain SP Fallbrook D Paved Road ' 15 Kilometers 5600' 00 10 0' 50 10 Miles 5 520 Legend 3000' 5 0 371 79 0' ' 560 S tate P ark 00 Trail 50 ' 0' 54 00 '