![]() | San Pasqual Battlefield Park Brochure (español) |
![brochure San Pasqual Battlefield - Park Brochure (español)]()
Rattlesnakes Warning
Rattlesnakes are found routinely on the hiking
trails here at San Pasqual SHP. Rattlesnakes
are an important part of the native ecosystem.
Rattlesnakes are protected within parks. If you
encounter a rattlesnake on the hiking trail or
in the park please inform staff. Be alert while
you are at the park. Snakes can been seen year
around, however, most sightings are during the
spring and summer months. If bitten, remain
calm and call 911.
Nature Trail
The San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park
nature trail has been designed to offer the park
visitor an opportunity not only to view the area
of the battle, but also to experience the beauty
of the San Pasqual flora and fauna. On the nature
trail, the visitor can find some of the resources
that the California Indian inhabitants utilized.
At each post, the pamphlet lists uses of the
particular plant or physical feature. We hope that
your walk along the nature trail will add to your
appreciation of the Valley’s environment and the
resourcefulness of its original inhabitants.
Volunteer Association
The San Pasqual Battlefield
Volunteer Association is
a non-profit organization
that works in conjunction
with California State Parks,
and supports living history
www.spbva.org
programs, assists with the
visitor center, operations, outreach programs
and provides general support. They are always
looking for more members.
San Pasqual Battlefield SHP
NATURE TRAIL
California State Parks supports equal
access. Prior to arrival, visitors with
disabilities who need assistance should
contact the park at (760) 737-2201. 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
© 2006 California State Parks (Rev. 2014)
2. Engelmann Oak (Quercus engelmanni)
The acorns of the Engelmann Oak, and other
species of oak, were used to make a flour or
acorn meal. Acorns were a diet staple for many
tribes throughout California; they are high in fat,
carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals,
and an excellent source of fiber. They were
processed by being pounded in a mortar, sifted,
and leached several times with water to remove
the bitterness of the high content of tannic acid.
Gathering, processing, storing, and cooking acorns
were important and time-consuming activities that
were an integral part of daily life.
3. Our Lord’s Candle or Chaparral Yucca
(Hesperoyucca whipplei)
The fiber of this Yucca was used but not as
extensively as the Mojave Yucca found on the
coast and in the desert. The stalks
were used for food, often roasted
and sometimes boiled. Roasted,
dried stalks were also
ground into flour and
used to form cakes.
Yucca
The flowers of the
Yucca could be eaten
after they were
cooked in water.
Image courtesy Missouri
Botanical Garden
4. Wild Buckwheat (Erigonum fasciculatum)
California Indians gathered the flowers and roots
of the buckwheat plant to make a tea to sooth
stomach ailments.
5. White Sage
White
(Salvia apiana)
Sage
California Indians
used white sage
medicinally to
treat respiratory
problems. They
would gather the
young branches
before they began
to flower and dry the
leaves for later use. The
dried leaves were made
into tea for chest colds and
coughs and steam treatments
when congested. The smoke
from the dried sage leaves was used in
sweathouses. Sage was also used as a deodorant.
When preparing for a hunt, the fresh leaves were
crushed and used under the armpit to disguise
the scent of body odor. Crushed leaves were also
mixed with water and used as shampoo.
6. Laurel Sumac
(Malosma laurina)
Bark of the Laurel Sumac was
made into tea and given to the
mother after childbirth.
7. California Gnatcatcher
The California Gnatcatcher lives in
coastal sage scrub vegetation. They will
eat small insects and spiders.
8. Sagebrush (Artemisia californica)
Leaves of this plant were chewed when fresh to
cure colds, ground into a poultice for ant bites,
boiled and used in a bath to treat measles.
Sagebrush tea was used as a hair tonic and to
treat sore eyes and stomach disorders.
9. San Pasqual Valley
The California Indian traveled throughout the
scenic valley of San Pasqual to take advantage of
seasonal availability of wild plants and migrating
game. During the summer they would travel to
the coast where temperatures were cooler.
© CSP, Faith Rumm
1. Beale-Carson Monument
The monument depicts Lt. Edward F. Beale and
Kit Carson hailing Commodore Robert Stockton.
Beale and Carson had journeyed to San Diego
from San Pasqual to get help for General S.W.
Kearny and his troops stranded on Mule Hill.
10. Hunting Grounds
On occasion, you may spot one of the following
animals that were hunted by the California
Indians using throwing sticks and bows and
arrows; mule deer, rabbits, squirrels, wild fowl
and small rodents. Early or late in the day you
may have the opportunity to catch a glimpse
of a coyote prowling the chaparral, or at times
see one of the red tailed hawks that call the
park home.
11. Prickly Pear (Opuntia oricola)
The buds and fruits of the Prickly Pear were eaten
fresh. The young green pads were boiled or fried.
End of Trail
For additional information about the San
Pasqual Valley wildlife, flora and fauna or the
local California Indians please visit the park’s
visitor center.
Gnatcatcher
Image courtesy San Elijo
Lagoon Conservancy