2012-10-19 32 -117

Crest Canyon Park

Location

Open space (hopefully) near Racetrack View Dr. in Del Mar. - Mathgeek 09:20, 19 October 2012 (PDT)

The hash point today falls in beautiful Crest Canyon Park in Del Mar. The point is nearest the entrance to the park on Racetrack View Dr.

Crest Canyon Park has been described as a local treasure. Originally intended as part of Torrey Pines State Preserve it was dropped at the time as a cost saving measure. The area was negatively impacted in the late 1960s by neighboring residential neighborhoods but activists encouraged the local governments to buy and save the land for public use.

There are two types of threatened plants. The first is the famous Torrey Pine, found only in this area and on Santa Rosa Island. The second is Dudleya brevifolia, a succulent that blooms in May and June with a small five pointed star shaped flower.

The best time to visit this area today will be around dusk when the animals will be most active. In addition to rabbits, the canyon is home to foxes and bobcats which you will most likely not see. The California quail, towhee and gnatcatcher are all residents of the canyon.

More information about this park: http://www.delmartimes.net/2011/01/27/opinion-secret-trails-of-crest-canyon/

Participants

- Mathgeek
Stephen Cerruti, A', D*
- LucasBrown reached the hashpoint at about 17:45 PDT.

Plans

- Maybe after work today - Mathgeek 09:27, 19 October 2012 (PDT)
Head down after school with the boys Stephen Cerruti 14:53, 19 October 2012 (EDT)

Nearby Geocaches

Expedition

After picking up D* from school we drove down from Oceanside. Street parking was readily available and we moved quickly to the hash point. Well I moved quickly, my sons decided that they would rather crawl through the bushes. We made it to the hash point, tip toeing carefully once we left the main trail to minimize damage. We did pick up a lot of trash at the hash point so I consider it a wash. We then hiked up the hillside to find a geocache and to shoot some video about Torrey pines. Finally we hiked up the canyon looking for a gnatcatcher. While we were up in the canyon discussing the difference between male and female Torrey pines, Mathgeek snuck in behind us without us noticing. All in all it was a great hike in one of those amazing spots that remind you how great it is to live in San Diego. -- Stephen Cerruti @32.9626,-117.2547 18:23, 19 October 2012 (EDT)