Topic: Los Pinos Mtn / Espinosa Trail (East San Diego County) - Cancelled

[FrankB]

Cancelled

We haven't had a run in a while, thought I would throw something up.

This should be an easy run, but with potential for some challenging stuff later in the day or on Sunday for those so inclined. My plan is to visit the fire lookout tower on the top of Los Pinos Mountain, then follow the Espinosa Trail down to Corral Canyon Road, and back around to the Four Corners area. We did this back in July of 2006, the day before the Horse Fire charred a lot of the area. The views from the top of the lookout tower are pretty good.

This is going to be an easy run, we may not even need 4WD except in a few spots. Should be some pretty good scenery though, I'm told that the area right around Espinosa did not burn. The road from Four Corners up to the fire lookout is one lane, paved. I spoke with the Cleveland NF rangers, as part of fighting the Horse Fire they bulldozed Espinosa into a fire road, and at the request of Cal Fire they keep it that way. There are apparently only one or two spots where it might get a bit rough. Corral Canyon Road is badly rutted in spots but still should be classed as easy.

For those who are looking for something more challenging, Corral Canyon Road circles an OHV Area with lots of trails, several of them black diamond. Some are too narrow for a full-sized vehicle, you'll want to check the maps ahead of time. I won't be doing any of the trails in the OHV, so you're on your own for that.

For anyone who wants to camp, there are two NF campgrounds at the OHV area. They have vault toilets, but no running water. Check with the Cleveland National Forest, Descanso Ranger District for details. I probably will not be camping.

You'll need either a National Forest Adventure Pass or an all-access Federal Lands pass, like the annual National Parks pass. You can get these at places like REI or Sport Chalet, or from the ranger stations in advance. You can not get the pass at the OHV area that we'll be starting from, and last I heard the rangers won't sell you one, they'll just cite you.

Bring a lunch and plenty of water, and all the usual stuff.

Date: Saturday, June 27

General Meet: 10:00AM  The highway Rest Area between the north and southbound lanes of Interstate 8 at Buckman Springs Road exit.  This is east of San Diego.

Comm: FRS Ch. 6, sub-code 24

If anyone plans to camp at Corral Canyon on Friday night let me know, we can meet you there on the way up to the fire lookout.

For info:

Cleveland National Forest
Descanso Ranger District
(619) 445-6235  Mon - Fri 0800-1630

Info on passes (they do enforce this): http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/cleveland/passes/

General Cleveland NF info: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/cleveland/

Post up if you're interested.

Thanks - Frank B.

[XterracerX]

This is a great run! Been up there a while back with some of the previous SCCX members and it was a blast! There's plenty of choices if you want to a bit of challenge or just cruise to go sight-seeing. Make sure you sign the logbook at the watch tower. The guy manning the tower is a really nice guy (if still the same person). Lot's of geocaches in the area too.

On that same run, a few fellow SCCX members even provided recovery assistance and aided an injured ATV user down the trail.

Have fun!

[FrankB]

Well . . . looks like this might get cancelled due to lack of interest. It's Wednesday evening and still no one interested.

Some feedback would be nice, to help in future planning. Is this:
- Too easy?
- Too far away?
- People too busy with Summer stuff?
- Too hot out there?
- Too much trouble / cost because of the required NF pass?
- Other reasons (can't figure out where the meet spot is, etc)?

If you were planning on going and just had not said anything yet, now might be a good time to do so. I may still drive up to the fire lookout on Saturday even if no one else comes along, but in that case I won't be at the meet spot, unless I know for certain others are coming.

[sturndog]

I think it is great you offered to lead Frank, I was just in San Diego/Seaworld scaring Shamu - I too am surprised by lack of interest. Maybe everyone made plans - I wanted to do a Santa Barbara run except for the recent fire.  I am unemployed and have four legal things going on, plus school - so I feel burnt but interested so I guess I am just a maybe. I would have to get a hotel Friday night if I do.......

[Paul]

Great idea ... wrong weekend.

It's amateur radio's annual field day and I'm double volunteered. 

I generally kept the third weekend of the month open for the club's trips but since we've missed the last three months I populated the 4WD weekend this month else we'd so be out there with ya'! Noon is going to kill me if we don't go camping soon.

[Paul]

I think it is great you offered to lead Frank, I was just in San Diego/Seaworld scaring Shamu - I too am surprised by lack of interest. Maybe everyone made plans - I wanted to do a Santa Barbara run except for the recent fire.  I am unemployed and have four legal things going on, plus school - so I feel burnt but interested so I guess I am just a maybe. I would have to get a hotel Friday night if I do.......

Unemployed? 

School?   

Legal x4? 

Married! 

[AV Xterra]

Frank,  Thanks for stepping up to lead a run.  I'm only taking one day off a week lately so the 8hr drive just there and back in one day would kill me. 

[Bobby B.]

I just can't go anywhere right now, unfortunately.  Hopefully someday soon that can resume.

[XterracerX]

Give me a few more weeks Frank and I will be out there again. Just need to sort out some things...

Apparently Shamu was traumatized by a recent encounter with an unknown individual and needed some much needed attention... and therapy. 

[Blackx]

Great idea ... wrong weekend.

x2

[FrankB]

I'm going to go ahead and cancel this run due to lack of interest. Maybe we can go out there later in the year.

[Goldfish]

Frank, thanks for trying. I have been waiting for a trip to be planned. I always try to leave the 3rd week open. I would be joining you this weekend except I made plans to go to the off-road races at Elsinore about 2 days before you posted this run. Next month we will be vacationing in Oregon, hopefully we can all get together for a trip in August.

[fleury123]

Give me a few more weeks Frank and I will be out there again. Just need to sort out some things...

Apparently Shamu was traumatized by a recent encounter with an unknown individual and needed some much needed attention... and therapy. 

Heck, that could have been me. Sorry Shamu seemed fine when I left the believe show

[FrankB]

Heck, that could have been me. Sorry Shamu seemed fine when I left the believe show

Sounds like Sturndog must have shown up after you left, Chris.

We still don't know what he did to so badly traumative the poor whale. Funny thing is, we've not heard much from John in several months, then he finally surfaces with a cryptic comment about unemployment, 4 legal issues, school, and something about scaring Shamu.

What's going on?

[pacificaX]

Shamu traumatized?

Didn't anybody tell Sturndog and Mitch that Sea World ISN'T clothing optional?