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.

We'll meet at 9:30 AM near the rest rooms at the El Arroyo Picnic Area, which is pictured above. 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 9:45 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 signed El Arroyo Picnic Area will be on your left. Park on the street or in a small parking lot to your right.

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.

Leashed dogs are allowed.

We've done this hike before on November 27, 2020. For more information, including photographs, see www.meetup.com/sandiegodayhikers/events/274773398.

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.