3 min
Overview
Barker Valley in the Cleveland National Forest is a place where you can truly get away from it all. This narrow valley full of massive oaks and tranquil meadows sits in one of the more remote corners of the Palomar Mountains. While the valley itself is too small to qualify for wilderness status, the area has a distinct “wilderness,” feel, making for great overnight camping and an escape from the pressures of urban life. The west fork of the San Luis Rey River drains this valley along with the southeast corner of the Palomar Mountain range while usually maintaining its flow throughout the year. In the 1920’s, when Palomar received more precipitation and the river had a more reliable flow, a stone gauging station and dam, the latter of which is known as a weir, were constructed to determine whether the river’s flow would be suitable for producing electricity. There never was enough flow in the river to produce electricity, but the structure, similar to one found at Palomar Mountain State Park still remains. In addition to the weir structure, the lower, wilder reaches of Barker Valley feature a series of waterfalls and swimming holes. This area is accessible by a rough, unmaintained trail that travels along the river bank and occasionally clings to a precipitous cliff during the passage. This section should be reserved for experienced hikers and climbers only, and this write-up does not feature the route. However, for the experienced, the pools and falls here are a delightful destination on a warm day. Beyond the weir and the falls, the principal attraction at Barker Valley is the solitude and the beautiful oak-lined meadows. There are a number of good camping spots up and down the valley, and this track stops at a particularly nice area. To backpack at Barker Valley, you will need to obtain a permit from Cleveland National Forest. Backpacking is at its best during late spring when the river has a healthy flow of water and the weather is not too cold. It should also be noted that Barker Valley is famous for cold a
Trail Stats
10.6 km
304 m
1572 m
1246 m
—
Photos
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.