Ramona Grasslands

Overview

East of the Woodson Mountain complex and the city of Poway, the rugged landscape smooths out into the vast, semi-circular Santa Maria Valley. In prehistoric times, expansive grasslands lined with oak woodlands and trickling streams covered the valley floor beneath the stern gaze of the forested Cuyamaca Mountains. Today, the semi-rural suburban patchwork of Ramona has spread slowly across the valley to the point at 67% percent of the grasslands had succumbed to development. In order to spare the valley of the fate of so many other Southern California grasslands, the County of San Diego created the Ramona Grasslands Open Space Preserve. This 3,521 acre preserve protects the remaining grasslands, chaparral habitat, and oak woodlands as part of the county’s Multiple Species Conservation Plan designed to protect the county’s endangered species and the habitats they rely upon. These grasslands protect a number of rare species, including ephemeral fairy shrimp that reside in vernal pools, the endangered arroyo toad, and Stephen’s kangaroo rat. In addition, bird watchers will enjoy observing the area’s raptors in the wintertime. In addition to hawks, ospreys, and vultures, both golden and southern bald eagles are known to frequent the grasslands during the winter. Much of the Grasslands Preserve remains closed to the public as the County evaluates what, if any of the remaining preserve to open up to recreation. Visitors can still enjoy 3.4 miles of multi-use trail that sample the three primary habitats – grasslands, oak woodlands, and chaparral – protected within the preserve. Hikers should also be aware that they will likely share the trail with cattle. The presence of the cattle comes with a grandfathered agreement that allows continued cattle ranching on the preserve. Most of the time, cows are harmless, but momma cows are known to become overprotective, occasionally aggressively, of their youngsters. Give the bovines a wide berth. From the staging area on Highland Valley Road, follow the wide former dirt road nort

Trail Stats

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