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Rocko1 Posts: 600
6/1/2020
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Did a quick early hike to the peak in Cuyamaca Sunday to beat the crowds and heat. Everything is so green. Bugs are again out in full force. Was about 49F when I started at 6am and low 70's by 9:30am when I got back.
Sky looked really cool over Viejas Mtn.
The lake from near the top
Water flowing from a small tributary feeding Cold Stream at about 5,100ft.
https://imgur.com/FXllwXB
Pines are doing great this year. Plenty of young trees thriving as well.
https://i.imgur.com/iAz91Tp.mp4
Looking north from the peak.
9.75 miles, 2,300ft gain. Album https://imgur.com/a/EJYwWzG
edited by Rocko1 on 6/1/2020
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
6/1/2020
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That's nice...I was wondering, is the (Cuyamaca) park open for parking and hiking as usual? No restrictions?
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Rocko1 Posts: 600
6/1/2020
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dsefcik wrote:
That's nice...I was wondering, is the (Cuyamaca) park open for parking and hiking as usual? No restrictions?
Parking is open on streets as well at campgrounds($10-day use only currently). Most trails open.
What is open now?
- Paso Picacho Day-Use
- Green Valley Falls Day-Use
- Merigan Day-Use
- Sweetwater Highway 79 Turnout
- Very limited parking is now available to the public
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
At this park:- Dyar Visitor Center and Day-Use
- Stonewall Mine Day-Use
Statewide:- Campgrounds.
- High public-use indoor facilities, including museums and visitor centers.
- Special events and tours continue to be canceled until further notice.
Crowded though-much more than normal. I got to the parking turn out at 5:40am, no cars. When I got back at 9:30 it was full with about 15 cars. Go early..or mid-week.
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Buford Posts: 461
6/1/2020
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Nice to see some greenery and flowers.
I went hiking in Cuyamaca Saturday. The parking pullouts along the 79 were open, not just the Sweetwater one listed.
As for crowds, it was not crowded at all, although I did not hike to a waterfall or peak. The parking pullout was overflowing with cars on return, but never saw most of the people.
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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Rocko1 Posts: 600
6/2/2020
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Buford wrote:
Nice to see some greenery and flowers.
I went hiking in Cuyamaca Saturday. The parking pullouts along the 79 were open, not just the Sweetwater one listed.
As for crowds, it was not crowded at all, although I did not hike to a waterfall or peak. The parking pullout was overflowing with cars on return, but never saw most of the people.
It is. I saw many young pine trees 5-15' doing well. I made it to the peak and halfway down before I saw anyone. Passed 3 people before I got back to the car.
Strange Sweetwater was closed Saturday-it was open on Sunday-about 70% full as I passed it on the way out.
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deborah Posts: 115
6/2/2020
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Thanks Rocko1 for the report and the lovely pictures.
Do you happen to know if the Sunrise Trailhead is open for parking? Although, that is within the Anza Borrego park boundaries, so I guess it's still closed...
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Rocko1 Posts: 600
6/2/2020
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deborah wrote:
Thanks Rocko1 for the report and the lovely pictures.
Do you happen to know if the Sunrise Trailhead is open for parking? Although, that is within the Anza Borrego park boundaries, so I guess it's still closed...
I did not drive by it this weekend but 2 weeks ago it was closed and since AB website has not changed for a while I would assume it's closed. You can park at the Pedro Fages Monument turn out-it has been open for a while and should still be.
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deborah Posts: 115
6/2/2020
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Yes, I guess it's just wishful thinking on my part. Looking at the public lands map layer on CalTopo, it seems the Pedro Fages Monument is in Anza Borrego as well.
Thanks for the info!
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
6/2/2020
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Nice pics Rocko1. Like the one from the top.
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Rocko1 Posts: 600
6/3/2020
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deborah wrote:
Yes, I guess it's just wishful thinking on my part. Looking at the public lands map layer on CalTopo, it seems the Pedro Fages Monument is in Anza Borrego as well.
Thanks for the info!
No problem. Cleveland NF is mostly open as well. You could park off S2 in this area(Pioneer Mail parking lot is open) and access the PCT and take it into AB if you wanted.
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tekewin Posts: 371
6/3/2020
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Thanks for the photos and update.
Can't believe AB is still closed. Most of ANF is open, OC trails and parks open. San Diego county had +2 cases today, almost nothing. Hair salons are open in the OC, but the 600,000 acres in AB is just too tight to be safe. I will call them tomorrow if I have time to find out why.
edited by tekewin on 6/3/2020
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Rocko1 Posts: 600
6/3/2020
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tekewin wrote:
Thanks for the photos and update.
Can't believe AB is still closed. Most of ANF is open, OC trails and parks open. San Diego county had +2 cases today, almost nothing. Hair salons are open in the OC, but the 600,000 acres in AB is just too tight to be safe. I will call them tomorrow if I have time to find out why.
edited by tekewin on 6/3/2020
This one doesn't make sense-it's one of the safest/largest parks.
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railexplorer Posts: 71
6/3/2020
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Its probably closed because A) They don't realize the park exists. B) They have no plan and are winging it. C) All of the above.
Yeah I'm a bit over the handling of this whole thing.
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deborah Posts: 115
6/3/2020
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Rocko1 wrote:
deborah wrote:
Yes, I guess it's just wishful thinking on my part. Looking at the public lands map layer on CalTopo, it seems the Pedro Fages Monument is in Anza Borrego as well.
Thanks for the info!
No problem. Cleveland NF is mostly open as well. You could park off S2 in this area(Pioneer Mail parking lot is open) and access the PCT and take it into AB if you wanted.
Oh that's a great recommendation. I'm thinking a weekday trip would be really nice. I'm due for a day off work.  Thanks!!
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tekewin Posts: 371
6/4/2020
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Called the state park today and they said no idea on re-opening AB, but it would be posted on the web site the day the decision was made. Not very helpful.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
6/4/2020
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railexplorer wrote:
Its probably closed because A) They don't realize the park exists. B) They have no plan and are winging it. C) All of the above.
Yeah I'm a bit over the handling of this whole thing.
   
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Rocko1 Posts: 600
6/4/2020
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tekewin wrote:
Called the state park today and they said no idea on re-opening AB, but it would be posted on the web site the day the decision was made. Not very helpful.
Thanks. I can't imagine there is any logic involved in what parks open when. AB is one of the largest, least dense parks.
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deborah Posts: 115
6/4/2020
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I just called the park. It sounds like they are planning to open up some access tomorrow for day use. (!!!!) Here's what I understood from the conversation:
Some jeep trails and parking areas will be open for day use. Access to Ocotillo Wells will remain closed for now. Campgrounds will still be closed. I believe that she said overnight camping is not yet allowed, but I don't know if that applies to backcountry trips. I could have that wrong. Coyote Canyon will still have the usual seasonal closure for Bighorn Sheep that started on June 1.
I certainly don't want to spread any unfounded rumors. But I'm so ridiculously happy even at the possibility of being back in our desert, I had to share with you guys. I guess we'll see if the updates happen tomorrow. I'm going to gas up my truck just in case.
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tekewin Posts: 371
6/4/2020
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Great news! I'll be checking the web site tomorrow.
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