An Explore of Mount Palomar...

Wanting to discover someplace new (and missing the Sierras), we headed to the mountains.

“Palomar is an extraordinary ’island.’ A little piece of Oregon that somehow ended up in the California desert. At the base, the elevation is 700 feet above sea level. Then Palomar. This wall of granite shoots up 5000 feet. You’re in another land up here. It's temperate. It gets four to ten feet of snow in winter. It has spring, fall.”


It also has had water and a fun find was ‍Palomar Water’s  (somewhat) hidden tap.
Nestled on the south side of the mountain, Palomar Artesian Springs intrigued. The spring is owned and was operated by the Palomar Mountain Spring Water Company (now owned by Arrowhead) and was once free and opened to the public. It seems like some time ago that these spigots worked.
And at one point, they weren't free (there is a coin machine on the right). I could find no history about this site at all. Who crafted it? To us, it looks like a WPA project. I really want to know!

We came here to hike. Our path of choice was the Mount Palomar Observatory Trail. Described enticingly, "This rare San Diego gem may be under the radar, even to those living and recreating in the nearby areas. With an abundance of large pine, fir and cedar trees, this trail feels more like a trek through the Sierra Nevada’s than almost any other in Southern California. Offering sweeping views of the Mendenhall Valley, large meadows, grazing cattle, gleaming ponds, and sprouting wildflowers, this robustly unique hike has something for almost any level of outdoor enthusiast. Listed as one of only four National Recreational trails in San Diego County, this shaded 4.4 mile hike is touted as the perfect summer option, providing good aerobic activity on a well maintained trail, with access to a world-famous observatory, an easy to find trailhead, and spectacular views. Great for families, beginners, or those looking to take in the scenic outdoors." We did not do the entire trail but what we did experience we enjoyed. We will return for more!


"Palomar Mountain has a greater concentration of wildlife than any other place in Southern California, flora and fauna. This is how California was. The delicate balance of forests, the mountain lion, the white-tailed deer, the last wild run of native rainbow trout, thousand-year-old trees..."


And where is that world-famous observatory? Due to COVID, it is closed up tight. We could only see it from afar.
The Observatory is among the most iconic scientific facilities in the world, and a crown jewel in the research traditions of Caltech. Conceived of nearly 100 years ago, the observatory has been in continuous scientific operation since the mid-30s, and remains productive and relevant today.

Palomar is most directly the vision of George Ellery Hale (1868–1938). In a tour-de-force effort framed by the challenges of the Great Depression and the Second World War, Hale and a dedicated group of astronomers, engineers, technicians, and builders secured funding, designed the telescopes and site, and created the Observatory in much the same state as it exists today. As soon as we can, we plan to tour this iconic facility and discover more about it all. Learning something AND hiking... I can't wait.

"Like buried treasures, the outposts of the universe have beckoned to the adventurous from immemorial times..." -George Ellery Hale

posted under |

1 comments:

Four Points Bulletin said...

I love that you can see the observatory from so far away, from Temecula, on your way to the desert... that little white dot on Palomar Mountain is looking right back at you.
It looks like a gorgeous day. Love the flowers. And the spring water find. We were just talking about heading out there. Eric hasn’t been. Yet.

April 15, 2021 at 7:01 PM

Post a Comment

Newer Post Older Post Home
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Get new Blog Posts to your inbox. Just enter name and email below.

 

We respect your email privacy

Blog Archive


Recent Comments