San Dieguito River Park - Riverscape
Riverscape
the San Dieguito River Park Newsletter
April 2010
In This Issue
Western Grebe
Coast Hike
Hike & Birdwatching, Phil Pryde
Birdwatching, Lagoon
"Home on the Rancho" Exhibit
Trail Restoration
Wagon Ride, Sikes
Habitat Rehabilitation
Earthfair 2010
Family Bicycle, Lake Hodges
Hike, Santa Fe Trail
Twilight Hike, Santa Fe Valley
Russell Homestead
Volunteer Needed
Piedras Pintadas
APRIL EVENTS

Birdwatching, Lagoon
Sat, April 10
8:00am - 9:30am

Birdwatching Hike
Sat, April 10
9:00am - 11:00am

Trail Restoration
Sunday, April 11
8:00am - 11:00am

"Home on the Rancho" Exhibit
Sun, April 11
12noon - pm

Meeting of "Friends of Siks Adobe"
Wednesday, April 14
5:00pm - 7:00pm

Habitat Rehabilitation
Saturday, April 17
8:00am -11:00am

Historic Wagon Ride
Saturday April 17
11:00am - 2:00pm

Earthfair 2010
Sunday, April 18
10:00am - 5:00pm

Birdwatching, Lagoon
Saturday, April 24
8:00am - 9:30am

Family Bike Ride
Saturday, April 24
9:00am - 10:00am

Hike Santa Fe trail
Sunday, April 25
9:00am - 11:00am

Twilight Santa Fe trail
Saturday, May 1
5:30pm - 7:30pm

All month
Self Guided Hike
Piedras Pintadas trail
Quick Links...
DOWNLOAD
.PDF TRAIL MAPS
FROM THE
LINKS BELOW:

THE WESTERN GREBE ARE NESTING!
Grebe Eggs (top). A Grebe sitting on eggs on her floating nest (bottom).
All month


From the David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge you and your family can watch the Western Grebe!

The Grebe construct nests that float on the water. The eggs range from tan through white to blue. Each pair of Grebe protect their nest. When leaving their own nest they dive and travel underwater until they are clear of neighboring nests.

There are about 40 nests that can be observed.
APRIL SCHEDULED EVENTS
Get out and get active!  These events are for you. . .
A HIKE AND BIRDWATCHING WITH PHIL PRYDE
Phil Pryde leading a birdwatching hike at Lake Hodges.
Phil Pryde leading bird watching hike at Lake Hodges, Bernardo Bay.
Saturday, April 10
9:00am - 11:00am

Join San Dieguito River Park's most avid birder Phil Pryde on the South Shore Lake Trail adjacent to the Piedras Pintadas for some great bird watching! Phil Pryde, also known for his work with the San Diego Audubon Society, will point out where "home" is to hundreds of avain species that reside or visit year round. On the Pacific Flyway this region is an ideal bird watching locale.

Meet at the Rancho Bernardo Community Park at the Ed Brown Senior Center. Bring water and binoculars and wear sturdy walking shoes.

Distance about 1.5 miles. Rated EF for Easy and Fun.

Click here for a map to the Ed Brown Senior Center (was Joslyn Senior Center) and for the probable Bird Watching Route.
BIRDWATCHING AT THE SAN DIEGUITO LAGOON
An Egret appreciates the San Dieguito Lagoon
Egret
Saturday, April 10
and
Saturday April 24
8:00am - 9:30am

Join enthusiastic birder Dave Batzler at the San Dieguito Lagoon as the River Park begins public birdwatching sessions designed to encourage birders from all backgrounds to share their love of birds. Bring your binoculars, cameras, and water!

Click hereto see a Google map showing where we will meet.
"HOME ON THE RANCHO" EXHIBIT
Sunday, April 11
12:00noon - 3:00pm

An on-going exhibit begins, featuring a sampling of artifacts from the archaeological excavations at the Sikes Adobe. The exhibit is co-sponsored by the San Dieguito River Park JPA, Friends of Sikes Adobe, Rancho Bernardo Historical Society and the Palomar College Archaeological Program.

Where:
The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society
Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte,
San Diego. Click here for a map.
Interested community members work along side San Dieguito River Park Rangers.
TRAIL RESTORATION PROJECT

Sunday, April 11 
8:00am - 11:00am


We will be working on the Hernandez Hideaway section of the Lake Hodge North Shore Trail.

Park across the street from the restauant on Lake Drive i the large parking area used by hikers.

Please wear closed toe shoes and a hat or sunscreen. Reservations are not necessary unless you are coming with two or more individuals. As a courtesy to us so that we may bring enough tools, water, and snacks, please call 858-674-2275, X14 to let us know your name and how many in your party.
HISTORIC WAGON RIDE TOUR
The entire family can enjoy the river park from this horse drawn carriage.
Saturday, April 17

11:00am - 2:00pm
Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride on a portion of the historic Mule Hill Trail, starting at the Sikes Adobe Farmhouse (undergoing reconstruction) and continuing past Mule Hill to the historic Bernardo town site.

Led by a Docent, wagon rides are round trip and last approximately 45 minutes. The wagon departs at 11:00am, 12:00noon, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm. It's great fun...good for the entire family.

Cost: $10.00 adults, $5.00 Children: in support of the San Dieguito River Park's Friends of the Sikes Adobe.

Click here for a Wagon Ride map.
HABITAT REHABILITATION PROJECT
A river park volunteer prepares to spread seeds in the San Dieguito River Park.
Saturday, April 17
8:00am - 11:00am


We will be working at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead on the Mule Hill Trail. Park at the Sunset staging area.

Although reservations are not necessary, if you are coming with two or more persons please let us know by leaving a message at 858-674-2275 X14.

If you need school or scout credit hours please let the ranger know.
EARTHFAIR 2010
Sunday, April 18
10:00am - 5:00pm

San Diego's annual EarthFair in Balboa Park is the largest free annual environmental fair in the world. EarthFair 2010 will be our 20th anniversary - the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day! Each year, the EarthFair draws around 70,000 visitors. Visit the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy's booth to learn all about this preserved corridor through 55 miles of San Diego's backyard.

The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy is calling for additional booth volunteers. Please contact [email protected].
BICYCLE, FAMILY RIDE, NORTH SHORE LAKE HODGES TRAIL.
Bicycling is a wonderful family activity.
Saturday, April 24
9:00am - 10:00am

Come out and join this easy one hour family ride on the North Shore of Lake Hodges. Bring the kids for an enjoyable ride to start the weekend off right. There will be swag and a couple of gifts certificates from Chicago On A Bun in Rancho Bernardo to be given out.

Remember to bring water, helmet (mandatory), gloves, and sunscreen.

Please RSVP to [email protected], Phone: 858-354-5034

Click herefor directions.
HIKE, SANTA FE TRAIL
Sunday, April 25
9:00am - 11:00

This walk led by the San Diego Natural History Museum's Canyoneers will explore an area recovering from the 2007 Witch Creek Fire. It's rated moderate as there are some steep areas, but the view is gorgeous! From the Del Dios Highway turn right past Calle Ambiente to meet the Canyoneer host. This was the sight of the old Lemon Twist Stand.

Click herefor a map of the staging area.
TWILIGHT HIKE, SANTA FE VALLEY
Enjoy a twilight hike in the Santa Fe Valley.
Saturday, May 1
5:30pm - 7:30pm

Join us as we celebrate Spring with a twilight hike in lovely Santa Fe Valley! Santa Fe Valley is the location of the Harris site, one of the most significant archaeological finds in Southern California. Evidence of 9,000 years of habitation by the Kumeyaay was discovered in the early 1900s here. This family-friendly hike is easy for the first 1.25 miles, then there is an optional 0.65-mile climb which is strenuous for beginners.

Bring your friends. Reservations are Require. Contact [email protected]or (858) 674-2275 X 12 to reserve your opportunity and for directions.
TOURS OF RUSSELL HOMESTEAD ON VOLCAN MOUNTAIN
April 17, May 15, & May 22
10:00am

The Conservancy's campaign to purchase 420 acres on Volcan Mountain is off to a great start but there's much more to do! The Volcan Mountain ridge is iconic both as the highest point in the San Dieguito River Park and the location of the headwaters of the San Dieguito River. It forms part of the Pacific Crest with a sweeping drop to the Anza-Borrego Desert to the east and is home to a rare montane ecosystem that supports many special status plant and animal species.  

The Conservancy has been an active partner in the protection of Volcan Mountain for over a decade, assisting with the acquisition of over 9,000 acres. A purchase agreement was recently signed for the Russell Homestead property and you can help us raise the $500,000 needed to complete this key purchase, a critical step toward protecting the rest of Volcan Mountain forever. For those interested in becoming a major donor to the campaign ($500 or more is suggested but not a prerequisite) we have arranged private tours of the property on Saturdays in April and May. The tour will be by car, stopping at five locations for short walks to see the property.

Reservations are required ~ please contact the Conservancy office at (858) 755-6956 or [email protected]to reserve a space.
VOLUNTEER FOR GRANT REPORTING AND BILLING NEEDED

 The San Dieguito River Park is looking for a volunteer who can dedicate at least 8 hours a week at the River Park office for grant billing and management reports. The volunteer needs to be organized and have Excel and Quickbooks experience. Please call Jan at 858-674-2275 X 10.
Thanks!
SELF GUIDED HIKE
Each month we feature a San Dieguito River Park Trail
for you to enjoy.
PIEDRAS PINTADAS (IT'S WILDFLOWER TIME)
Hikers enjoy the spring flowers on the Piedras Pintadas trail.
A wonderful hike for the whole family at this Wild Flower time of year is the Piedras Pintadas trail.  This is a short out and back loop trail is just three miles long and with a very moderate elevation change of only 250'.

You will hike along a bit of Lake Hodges shoreline, cross several bridges, see a scenic waterfall, and will be able to view Volcan Mountain, which is at the upper end of our watershed.

Click here for a Google map of the Piedra Pintadas trail.
Click here for .pdf copy of the trail map.
The San Dieguito River Park is a partnership that includes You!  We hope that You will make it a point to spend time both enjoying and supporting your wonderful park.

We love open space!

The San Dieguito River Park Staff