Kit Carson Park Loop Trail

This is a 2.27-mile loop trail around Kit Carson Park that we explored on November 3. The distance given on a trail map was 3.2 miles, but its actual length, as measured by my GPS, is only 2.27 miles.

About half of the trail is paved, and the other half is hard-packed dirt. It is fairly level, making this an easy hike. However, we will follow a side trail (called the View Trail) 0.16 miles up a small hill to the gazebo, which has a better view of the park. We will also take a small detour to look at Queen Calafia's Magical Circle Sculpture Garden. It's fenced off, and the gate will probably be locked, but we can peek through the gate.

The hike is on Friday, ONE DAY LATER THAN USUAL, to avoid conflicts with Thanksgiving festivities.

We'll meet at 9:00 AM near the rest rooms at the El Arroyo Picnic Area, where the above picture was taken. It's in the north part of Kit Carson Park at N 33 4.842 W 117 3.661, opposite the Girl Scout area. At 9:15 we'll step off.

If you are driving in, you will probably enter the park through the main entrance on Bear Valley Parkway opposite Mary Lane. Follow the road to a T intersection, and then turn right. Go about 0.17 miles north. The El Arroyo Picnic Area will be on your left.

Hiking shoes are not required. They might be helpful on the View Trail, but that is a short distance.

CONTACT: Philip Erdelsky, cell 619-866-8512, E-mail pje@efgh.com.

Yes, face coverings and "social distancing" are supposedly required in this park, too.

Leashed dogs are allowed.

A trail map was posted among the photographs taken on the November 3 exploratory hike. For those who like to fiddle with a GPS, a GPX track of the trail has been posted on the San Diego Day Hikers page at http://www.efgh.com/SDDH/