- Wright's Field Nature WalkWright's Field Parking from S Grade Rd Lot, Alpine, CA
POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN - NEW DATE SUNDAY, APRIL 28th
DIFFICULTY: EASY (Possibly muddy soils) 2.3 miles roundtrip (3.7 km)
PLANT KNOWLEDGE: Beginner to Novice, Professionals are welcome!
ACCESS: Open to all, no charge
REQUIRED FEES: None.
AMENITIES: Restrooms are available at nearby businesses in Alpine (1.5 mile north).
DOGS: Allowed. All dogs must stay leashed, on trail, and in control at all times.
[EXTREME TEMPS above 90F [32C] or forecast for Heavy Rain / flash floods Will Cancel]TRIP DESCRIPTION:
Wright's Field is a Preserve managed by Back Country Land Trust, formed in the early 90's to save this amazing collection of grasslands, sage scrub, and woodlands that is unique in many ways within the County of San Diego. The closest counterpart to the geology and character of this area is the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve near Temecula. Because of the bedrock layers and boulders being so close to the surface, prairies and meadows of entirely native bulbs, annual wildflowers, and bunch grasses are abundant. Natural vernal pools host hundreds of thousands of the candidate species for federally threatened status Spadefoot toad (Spea hammondii). Endangered Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino) are known to host and take flight here along with dozens of other colorful butterflies and native bees, many of them in decline across the County. There are many rare native plants in and around Wright's Field due to the clay soils and unique features of the area. San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia) are in protected patches. Others include Isocoma menziesii var decumbens, Harpagonella palmeri, Quercus engelmannii, Convolvulus simulans, and Microseris douglasii var platycarpha. We'll see lots of early blooming bulbs like Dipterostemon capitatus, Fritillaria biflora, and Allium sps.We'll be entering from the parking area on S Grade Rd and crossing the County Park land that hosts the same species and land types as Wright's Field. Given the hike is on Easter Sunday, we should have enough quiet to hear all the birds singing around the Field. Park off the pavement and be careful of the traffic on S Grade Rd. The trip itself is fairly slow paced and geared to take pictures as we slowly make our way in a loop through Engelmann oak woodlands to native grasslands, past vernal pools and clay lenses, up into coastal sage scrub that hosts Hermes Copper butterfly (Lycaena hermes) and back around to finish where we started out.
There is currently a Regional Sports Complex approved by the County Supervisors proposed on 25+ acres of the 98 acre parcel, threatening to turn the native habitat into lawn and concrete and asphalt. CNPS has joined the Cleveland National Forest Foundation in filing a writ against the County Parks Dept because the project is too heavy handed on dealing unmitigable impacts for the location, terrible problems with the environmental review documents, troubling history of the project, and alternative parts of the project (that Alpine should have mass transit access to) were never analyzed in vacant lots closer to town. We'll discuss the issues first hand as we see, perhaps for the last time, this special place before it's possibly damaged beyond repair. Let's hope that we have this precious natural resource for good!
Late March is a little early for some of the more spectacular displays of color around Wright's Field, but this year should be a show stopper any time from now through early July. Come prepared for the trail and the weather from morning to early afternoon. Wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water. Snakes are a possibility so please take precautions and give them a wide berth.
Driving access is paved to the parking area entry, though it will be easier to park along the shoulder of Cole Grade Rd rather than in the heavily rutted dirt lot. High clearance and AWD is recommended for parking in the lot.
CARPOOL:
FROM FASHION VALLEY TRANSIT CENTER: Arrive to Fashion Valley Mall Transit Center parking area nearest Fashion Valley Rd (west end of the mall) from 8:00 AM to 8:10 AM. Parking at the Transit Center parking lot is free for 24 hrs (park in the diagonal spaces only) and is patrolled by security. That being said, the same risks apply there as to regular street parking. Donations for gas are welcome, but not required. ($5 is suggested to cover gas). Return is expected by 4 PM if we stop for lunch afterwards (depending on what's open on Easter), or by 3PM if not.FOR ANYONE WILLING & CAPABLE OF OFFERING A SEPARATE CARPOOL, PLEASE MESSAGE THE GROUP TO COORDINATE. I can suggest a few great places to carpool from.
- Corte Madera Mountain - BIOBLITZCorte Madera TH, California, CA
DIFFICULTY: MODERATE (Rocky trail, may be overgrown; elevation change up to 1300') 6.4 miles roundtrip (10.3 km)
PLANT KNOWLEDGE: Amateur to Professional
ACCESS: Open to all, no charge for field trip.
REQUIRED FEES: National Forest Adventure Pass on Vehicle Required to park.
AMENITIES: Restrooms (pit toilets) may be available at nearby campgrounds. They are closed until the new restrooms are installed (updated March 7, 2024) Conditions are unknown, so come prepared for any possibility.
DOGS: Allowed, but dogs are not recommended due to sensitivity of the nesting location and disturbance chance and high chance of rattlesnakes. Any dogs must stay leashed and on trail in control at all times.
[EXTREME TEMPS above 90F [32C] or forecast for Heavy Rain / flash floods Will Cancel]TRIP DESCRIPTION:
This area is adjacent to the Corral Canyon OHV Area and campgrounds in some the thickest, wildest chaparral in the whole of San Diego County. It's not often travelled except by Forest Service personnel and recreation folks.Border Bioblitz and Cleveland National Forest (Forest Service) are combined with this trip for a study for rare plants and habitat assessment that's open to anyone interested in the next steps of science. Record taking is with iNaturalist and uses other tech and apps.
We're close enough to the border that those who are taking iNaturalist records will contribute to the 2024 Border BioBlitz in service of the SD Natural History Museum's Community Science efforts and the broader focus on environmental issues at the international border between the US and MX.The trip itself is fairly slow paced and geared to take records as we slowly make our way up Morena Creek along a portion of the Espinosa Trail to Corte Madera Trail that heads to the peak. There are many different habitats we'll walk through including mixed chaparral, oak woodlands, small patches of grasslands, pine woodland, and rocky outcrops. Many rare plants are found in the area including this area being the known core of the endemic and extremely rare Morena currant (Ribes canthariforme), Chorizanthe lepthotheca, Calochortus dunnii, Diplacus clevelandii, and Ehrythranthe diffusa, among others that we'll be looking for as well.
Mid May is a great time to hike in San Diego, but may be getting hot in the inland areas towards the afternoon. Come prepared for the trail and the weather from morning to early evening. Wear layered clothing and wear sturdy and armored shoes (boots are recommended). Bring plenty of water & sunscreen. We'll be able to provide some very basic support, but if you are concerned about any conditions like overheating on the trail, please take precautions. Bring your own lunch and snacks!
Driving access is paved to the parking areas, though winter storms are taking their toll on rural infrastructure. High clearance and AWD is recommended.
CARPOOL:
CARPOOL TO BE DETERMINED. For this trip as I plan to remain in the area to camp that evening, if possible. Camping groups may be coordinated. If the campgrounds remain closed, I will update to open up two seats in my vehicle.FOR ANYONE WILLING & CAPABLE OF OFFERING CARPOOL, PLEASE MESSAGE THE GROUP TO COORDINATE. I can suggest a few great places to carpool if anyone is amenable and willing to set one up.