November 2009 Riverscape
 

It's time to get out and get active! There are over 37 miles of trails in the San Dieguito River Park for you to enjoy.  Trail Map downloads are available at the bottom of this newsletter.
  •  Bird Watching Along the Boardwalk
     Saturday, November 7, 8-10 a.m.
  • Turtles and Tortoises -- "Wealth of Wildlife" Presentation Series
    Saturday, November 14, 2:30 p.m.
  • Hike Along the Piedras Pintadas
    Sunday, November 22, 9 till noon
  • Consider helping to support the River Park by volunteering a few hours a month.      Volunteers are needed for Trail and Habitat Restoration Work Projects in the field.
 
As always our website is available to refresh your memory about all River Park activities!
Bird Watching Along the Del Mar Boardwalk
Saturday, November 7, 2009       8:00 a.m. ~ 10:00 a.m.       Del Mar Boardwalk

Osprey over San Dieguito Lagoon


 
This is a one-of-a -kind opportunity!  Bring your binoculars (and cameras!) for Bird Watching along the Boardwalk!   Photographer Jeanie Anderson will be your host for this scenic hike.

Location: San Andres Street at the light -- off Via de la Valle, behind Albertsons shopping mall. (Plenty of off street parking available) We will meet here to walk under the overpass to get to the Boardwalk as there is minimal parking on San Dieguito Road and the hike is very scenic from this location.  Click here for Google Map.
Wealth of Wildlife Sereis
Saturday, November 14, 2009     2:30 p.m.      SDRP Temporary Offices 
Visit Kruisin Kritters
The "Wealth of Wildlife" series, a joint effort between the San Dieguito River Park and Kruisin' Kritters,
focuses on wildlife in our backyard and what they do for us and for our environment.  Reservations are not required.  All ages are welcome to attend.  These free live presentations begin at 2:30 in the afternoon and are ideal for students, scouts, and lovers of wildlife!

Turtles and Tortoises, Our Waterways and Deserts
Saturday, November 14th at 2:30 p.m.

Invasive Animals
Saturday, December 12th at 2:30 p.m.

     Have you encountered any of San Diego's native animals?  We invite you to come and meet these critters up close!  These free and informative programs will also cover:
  • Habitat loss
  • Close encounters with wild kritters and what to do when it happens
  • Where to turn for help
  • Who to contact for injured wildlife assistance
  • Why wild animal babies should never be taken for pets or sold
  • How to protect your pets without harming wildlife
     Meet at the San Dieguito River Park temporary offices which are located at 14103 Highland Valley Road (the San Pasqual Water Reclamation Facility)

     To get here exit Interstate 15 at West Bernardo Drive/Pomerado Road and go east.  Turn left at the traffic light at Highland Valley Road.  Drive about two miles, turn south through the gate.  Look for the banner!  Click here for a Google Map.
Hike Piedras Pintadas with Mike Thacker
Sunday, November 22, 2009       9:00 a.m. ~ Noon       Hike Piedras Pintadas

River Valley guide Mike Thacker will take you on the full 3.8 mile round trip of the Piedras Pintadas Trail, pointing out the ethno botany and Kumeyayy culture of the area.

Location:  Bernardo Bay Natural Area.  Exit I-15 on West Bernardo/Pomerado.  Turn left at the off-ramp stop sign and follow West Bernardo just up the hill to the Bernardo Bay Natural Area sign on the immediate right.  Park in the large lot.  Click here for a Google Map.
Geo-Cache in Highland Valley
Saturday, December 12, 2009    8:00 a.m. ~ 10:00 a.m.    Highland Valley Geo-Caching

Did you know that geo-caching is permissible in the San Dieguito River Park?  Hike along the Highland Valley Trail with SDRP Ranger Ken Colburn and "discover" hidden cache with GPS!

Location:  Highland Valley Trail / Ruth Merrill Children's Interpretive Walk.  Exit I-15 at West Bernardo Drive/Pomerado Road and go east.  Turn left at the traffic light onto Highland Valley Road.  Make an immediate right into the dirt parking lot.  Click here for a Google Map.
San Dieguito River Park Trail and Habitat Restoration
     Restore and rehabilitate your body while restoring San Dieguito River Park Trails and while rehabilitating San Dieguito River Park Habitat.  It's a win/win!  
    .  Work with the Rangers every second Sunday and third Saturday from 8 a.m. till 11:00.

Trail Restoration:
  • Sunday, November 8, 2009.  Location:  Ysabel Creek Staging Area at Bandy Canyon Rd.  From I-15 head east on Hwy. 78.  About 4.5 miles east of the Wild Animal Park, turn right onto Bandy Canyon Rd.  Continue on Bandy Canyon Road about 2.75 miles and go right at Ysabel Creek Rd.  The staging area is immediately on the right, visible from the road.  Click here for a Google Map.

  • Sunday, December 13th, 2009.  Location:  Bernardo Bay Natural Area.  Exit I-15 on West Bernardo / Pomerado.  Turn left at the off-ramp stop sign and follow West Bernardo just up the hil to the Bernardo Bay Natural Area sign on the immediate right.  Park in the large lot.  Click here for a Google Map.
Habitat Rehabilitation:
  • Saturday, November 21, 2009.  Ysabel Creek Staging Area at Bandy Canyon Rd.  See November 8 directions above.  Click here for a Google Map.
  • Saturday, December 19, 2009.  Cloverdale Site at Rockwood Road.  From I-15 take the Via Rancho exit and go east, following the signs to the Wild Animal Park.  At the intersection of San Pasqual Road and Highway 78, San Pasqual Road becomes Cloverdale Road.  Continue on Cloverdale Road and then turn right onto Rockwood Road.  The project location is at the bridge crossing on the right just before the San Pasqual Elementary School. Click here for a Google Map
Volunteer Positions Available 
The River Park is looking to fill two volunteer positions:
 
 
A Field Volunteer is needed to assist Senior Ranger Dave Hekel one Sunday of each month.  Trail Restoration projects takes place on the second Sunday of each month.  The hours are 7:30 to noon  He needs help with hospitality, teaching, and just good old fashioned getting down and dirty maintaining trails.  Again, this is one Sunday morning a month.

Library/Archive Volunteer is needed to catalog books, compile newspaper clippings, organize articles, etc. in an effort to replace our library which burned in the 2007 Witch Creek Fire.  We are slowly trying to rebuild archives and replace what was lost.  This volunteer work project could take one to two mornings a month and the hours are flexible.  In both cases interested persons should email [email protected].
San Dieguito River Park Trail Maps, free downloads
SAN DIEGUITO RIVER PARK TRAIL MAPS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE!
 
For more detailed information visit our website at www.sdrp.org/trails.htm
Contact the San Dieguito River Park
San Dieguito River Park
14103 Highland Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92025
858-674-2270