Halloween 2020 - Palomar Divide Truck Trail

[dorocks]

Jeanne and I decided to get outta town for the day and go to an obscure road that only a few people know about. It is on the east side of Palomar Mountain where the Palomar Observatory is in Cleveland National Forest. Forest is a relative term. At the top it is pine trees and some sycamores, but below it is the typical tall brush that Southern California is famous for. Lots of sun equals lots of brown - our fall color. The trail starts at the southern end and zig-zags up the hill and then north back down to Highway 79. Road is a muddy mess in winter and can be gated off. Some of the road is old pavement that the Forest Service probably put in for fire trucks. Getting pretty broken up in places. You can see the big and little observatories but not access them. Is very tall fire lookout at top. Always an easy way to get out of civilization. Some hike the trail up, which is quite the ascent. (8 miles up- around 16 for the loop)

https://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Local-Stuff/Halloween-2020-Palomar-Mountain-backroad/

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thanks for posting.Nice drive.It's great to get out at these times.
Frank

 

[GreggLT]

Nice weather! Those are wonderful photos.

 

[craig333]

Nice ride. Are those observatories closed to the public?

 

[dorocks]

When the pandemic is under control the observatory will be open again, https://sites.astro.caltech.edu/palomar/visitor/