Hello PWP hikers

Sunday March 15th, Sycamore Canyon will be our next hike.  Meet up time is 8:45 AM and we head out at 9 AM.

About this Hike:

Our hike is in the Goodan Ranch Sycamore Canyon County Preserve, located southeast of Poway in San Diego County. The Preserve is an approved part of the County of San Diego County Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP). The Preserve was purchased with funds from Poway, Santee, San Diego County, and the State Wildlife Conservation Board. 

Brochure for Goodan Ranch Sycamore Canyon County Preserve

The trail begins at the end of Sycamore Canyon Road. We start out heading south on Martha’s Grove Trail for 2.2 miles. Martha’s Grove Trial has some steep and rocky parts at the beginning. We then head north for 0.2 miles to the visitor center along the service road. From there we continue north on the service road for 1.1 miles which brings us back to the parking lot. The last part of the service road is an uphill climb, although on a flat surface, but the climb can be tiring. Although the hike has many easy stretches, there are areas of moderate difficulty. Total distance is 3.5 miles. The hike is mostly exposed and has great views of the canyon. For anyone not wanting to negotiate Martha’s grove, you can do an in and out hike along the service road, going as far south as you can without a permit, and then heading back to join up with the group at the visitor center. That hike is about 3 miles and is shown in green in the map below.

Directions and Parking: 

Take Poway Road to Garden Road, after 1 mile on Garden Road, turn right onto Sycamore Canyon Road (look for the sign “Sycamore Canyon & Gooden Ranch Preserve”), and follow Sycamore Canyon Road to where it ends (there is a gate across the road). There will be a graded parking area, and we will meet there at 8:45am.

Note: There is no exit to Sycamore Canyon Road from Scripps Poway Parkway.  Sycamore Canyon Road passes under Scripps Poway Parkway, but there is no connection between the two roads. You can only get to Sycamore Canyon Road from Garden Road. 

You can use the QR code below to navigate to the parking lot.

Facilities: There is a primitive restroom at the parking lot, and a nice restroom at the visitor center.

Weather: The weather is expected to be sunny with a high of 89, so bring plenty of water.

● We’ll take our group picture around 9 AM, and start our hike.

● As always, you can choose to go as far as you feel comfortable or have time for. 

● No need to reply. Just show up (bring anyone you want).

● If you arrive late, you’ll possibly have no problem catching up with some of us.

● Don’t forget water. And some of you might also want to bring sunscreen, hat, snack, camera, binoculars, GPS or walking stick.

● Voluntary trash pickup: bring your own trash bag, gloves, mechanical pick-up stick, etc.

Next Hikes (preliminary):

April 19 – Wild Horse Trail

May 17 – Del Poniente Loop