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Annie’s Canyon Trail in San Elijo Lagoon

Posted on by AdventureDavid

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Annie’s Canyon Trail in the San Elijo Lagoon (Solana Beach) recently reopened after being closed for many years, due to over a thousand hours of effort by generous volunteers and a substantial donation by a local supporter.  The trail takes you into a mini slot canyon where the canyon floor is less than a foot wide in places, past a cave, and upward to a summit with expansive views of the lagoon. It’s a very cool trail!

Links:   San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy        virtual hike video of trail

Mammoth Skeleton at La Brea Tar Pits

Posted on by AdventureDavid

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We really enjoyed our recent visit to the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum.  This pic shows the Columbian mammoth skeleton excavated from Pit 9 in 1914 that is displayed in the George C. Page Museum.  While there, one can also walk next door and visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

Links:      Tar Pits Museum

Potato Chip Rock on Mount Woodson

Posted on by AdventureDavid

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A popular hike in San Diego County is to summit Mount Woodson (elevation 2881 ft) by either the eastern route which starts from Hwy 67 or the western route that starts at Lake Poway.  Once on top, you enter a “forest” of communications towers.  A great landmark just west of the summit is Potato Chip Rock, pictured above.  Normally you see visitors standing on the edge having their picture taken but we were there very early this foggy morning!

Kumeyaay Home

Posted on by AdventureDavid

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The Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center in Poway has a few reproductions of the traditional Kumeyaay dome-shaped homes known as ‘ewaa.  The frame of the shelter was typically made of willow branches while the covering was made of tule weeds, willow leaves, and brush.  One hole served as a door and a second hole in the roof allowed smoke to escape.

Links:    K-I Interpretive Center    previous related post

Los Angeles Zoo

Posted on by AdventureDavid

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The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park and houses over 1,100 animals representing over 250 species on its 133 acre site. The zoo opened in 1966 and was preceded by the Griffith Park Zoo which opened in 1912 in a nearby location. One of the big successes at the zoo has been its California condor breeding program.

link to zoo website

Escondido Creek at EFRR

Posted on by AdventureDavid

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Escondido Creek begins in Bear Valley above Lake Wohlford and flows for 26 miles before emptying into the Pacific Ocean at the San Elijo Lagoon.  This very beautiful and accessible view is from the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve.  The Escondido Creek Conservancy has helped preserve over 3,000 acres of this important watershed.

Links:   EFRR   Escondido Creek Conservancy   previous related post

Aquaculture in Agua Hedionda Lagoon

Posted on by AdventureDavid

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An interesting site in the Agua Hedionda Lagoon is the aquaculture operation of Carlsbad Aquafarm.  This enterprise raises Mediterranean Blue Mussels, Pacific Oysters, and Ogo.  Their website says that their products can be found at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and local restaurants.  Apparently the local brown pelicans are appreciative of their efforts.

Links:   Carlsbad Aquafarm

Daley Ranch House

Posted on by AdventureDavid

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The Daley Ranch house was part of the 3,058 acre conservation area acquired in 1996 by the City of Escondido.  This building was built in 1925 as a summer cottage for the Daley family who entertained here until the 1980’s.  Ranger-led tours are offered on the 2nd Sunday of each month from 11am-2pm.

Links    City of Escondido    Friends of Daley Ranch

“Levitated Mass” at LACMA

Posted on by AdventureDavid

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“Levitated Mass” is a sculpture by Michael Heizer consisting of a 340-ton boulder sitting above a concrete trench through which you can walk.  The piece is on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and does not require museum admission to view.

Links:   Wikipedia entry discussing rock transport     LACMA

Lake Fulmor

Posted on by AdventureDavid

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Lake Fulmor is a beautiful oasis on Highway 243 between Banning and Idyllwild.   It looks like a great spot for some hiking, fishing, kayaking, or just relaxing.  An Adventure Pass is required to park in the lot across the road.

Links:    Forest Service