Paula lead a very interesting Kelly Ditch Hike this past
Saturday.
(7.20.2002)
This hike had many interesting things about it
Ed, Charity, Paula, and Stan met at the parking lot to Heise Park ($2
parking) and Stan took the group over to Yaqui road just before
Engineer's road and the Lake Cuyamaca dam where Jaye indicated we would
find some free parking (thanks, Jaye) ... and it was a nice place to park
even if we had to walk about 0.1 mile or so over to Engineer Road for the
start of the hike but it allowed us to warm up our hiking muscles more
slowly.
We walked up Engineer Road for what seemed a long distance passing a very
large "pullout" which possibly could also be used for parking since there
were no signs indicating "No Parking". In fact, there was a sign which
indicated "No Burning."
Just past this "pullout" we found the Kelly Ditch trail crossing from
left to right over Engineer Road which allowed us to leave the smooth
asphalt hiking.
I have never seen so much poison oak on any hike that I have ever taken.
It was everyplace with the exception of the last part of our hike near
Heise Park. Because of the time of year (probably) and the lack of water,
the poison oak was colored such that we could see seas of reddish pink to
the right and left of the trail. It was everywhere.
During the hike I kept looking for the "Kelly Ditch" but later was told
by Paula that the ditch was probably a wooden sluice used to wash cut
logs down the mountain side. The atmosphere reminded me somewhat of
Middle Peak except that the trees were smaller and there was more poison
oak. Charity is allergic to poison oak and did part of the hike with her
hands over her head and out in front of us so that we did not kick up
dust which would land on her. We hope she avoided it all.
To help us with the poison oak identification, Paula had the following
sayings to help us -
two leaves kissing, one running away
or
leaves of three, let it be
I have never seen so many dead pines with their brown needles standing
out in a forest of green. There were also hillsides of oak trees that
were obviously under extreme distress due to our lack of rainfall over
the past few years.
Within a little over a mile from Heise Park, Paula led us into a
clearing, under a very large oak, to some rocks. I have never seen so
many morteros in my life in one spot. They were everywhere and rather
close together. While sitting on these rocks where Indian Squaws use to
sit, I conjured up visions of large numbers of Indian women grinding nuts
and roots for later use. There was an area where most of the morteros
were located but there was one mortero off to the side in a near by rock
and one could only imagine that a shy or outcast Indian lady possibly had
selected it to be away from the main group .. or was forced to use it.
Every now and then, Paula, would stop and point out a plant or tree that
needed a name or explaining. I only wish I could remember all the names
she used but at least I did become aware of many of the differences that
were around us.
The parking lot at Heise park came upon us only too soon and after
talking to the park rangers for additional information, Paula, Charity
and I went back to Yaqui road for me to pick up my truck. From there, we
thought we were to all meet at a Pie place near Dudley's bakery for pie
and ice cream. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding with Paula,
Charity, and myself on 147.555 simplex and Ed not responding to calls
since we think he ended up in Julian at a pie house there and out of his
car.
Gerry Schad in "Afoot and Afield in San Diego County" lists the hike at
5.5 miles, a gain/loss of 1000'/1600', with a hiking time of 4 hours. We
probably hiked about 5.75 miles on a beautiful day and with a long noon
meal, we also took 4 hours (9 A.M. until 1 P.M.).
It was a great hike. Thanks Paula.
.. and Charity, we certainly do wish you the best when you report to the
Coast Guard this Tuesday.
.. and Ed, I hope that you enjoy the 10"x10" Fresnel lens I gave you and
that it will work out well for you on some of your signaling projects. If
nothing else, you can use it as a portable wood burner since I burnt my
initials into a 2x4 the previous day!
73,
Stan Rohrer
W9FQN
P.S. It takes me 65 minutes to drive from I-15/Gopher Canyone Park-n-Ride
to Julian via Valley Center, 76, 79, and 78. I ended up with giving away
some ice water at the end of the hike since my water bags still had large
blocks of ice left in them after four hours on the trail.
