Parks & Rec: Goodan Ranch/Sycamore Canyon Preserve

From resident Jim Mees, regarding the Department of Parks and Recreation and Goodan Ranch/Sycamore Canyon County Preserve: 

"I hiked these adjacent preserves for the first time this morning. I was taken aback at how great this place is while having heard so little about it in my nearly 40 years in San Diego. This resource is incredibly valuable and will only become more so as the county's population increases in the years to come.

 

A few things that stood out for me

• GREAT online presence, including the virtual hike of Martha's Grove on YouTube

• high-quality brochure with accurate and helpful map at the trailhead

• well-marked and maintained trails

• helpful and knowledgeable staff

• with the exception of the high-tension pylons there was no evidence of cars, houses, traffic or any of the 3 nearby cities (Poway, Ramona, Lakeside). In fact, the park is pretty much what San Diego looked like when the Kumeyaay were the primary inhabitants of our region

In short, I can't think of a single thing to improve.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed my 7+ mile hike and possibly even caught a fleeting glimpse of an immature bobcat. I feel lucky to live in a place that values parks like this."