Sycamore Sage   Dec. 2013    vol. 15 Issue 4         www.goodanranch.org

Friends of Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserves                  13030 Birch Lane, Poway, CA 92064

 

President: Carol Crafts  *   Vice President: Gardner Grady 

Secretary: Karen Larsen Gordon *  Treasurer: Terry Callan

 

President’s Message:

The trail heading west (and up hill) from the Goodan Staging area is now open. In about 0.9 miles you reach the kiosk pictured above. West Sycamore, a part of Mission Trails Regional Park provides about seven miles of multi-use trails. There are views of the Goodan Ranch to the south; tooth rock to the north and the ocean to the west.         

Karen and I recently hiked to the Stonebridge Parkway Staging area (still closed) which is about a 4 mile round trip. There is NO shade so be sure to start out when it is cool and bring lots of water. We met cyclists and equestrians and all seemed pleased with the trails.

2013 has been a good year for the Friends and we have participated in several events bringing recognition to our Park. We have just provided an infra red camera to help monitor the wildlife and helped with providing an additional taxidermy critter for the visitor’s center. Do stop in and sit under the oak tree within the center!

What we do is a reflection of your continued support. Yes, it is time to re-new your membership as our year runs from 1 Jan to 31 Dec.

We look forward a continued partnership with all our Friends. Happy Holidays.   Carol

             

Minutes of the Friends of Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserves

Minutes November 4, 2013

In Attendance:  Carol Crafts, DeAnne Erickson, Gardner Grady, Ann Tipps, Karen Larsen Gordon and Terry Callan. Phoenix Von Hendy. 

Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm 

The minutes of the August 5, 2013 meeting were amended to add Ann Tipps in attendance. A motion was made and passed to accept the amended minutes. 

Treasurer’s report: Income for 2013 is $2,239. Expenses for the year are $581. Total $13,321 in assets. The CINCH $300 brochure fee is pending payment. A donation is expected from Cindy Baker for a copy of our book. She is doing archeological work on the parcels adjacent to Camp Elliot.

 Old Business: 

The Poway Days Parade participation was well received. 

Phoenix delivered the wildlife camera to County Staff on November 1, 2013.

Ranger Report: Maureen Abare reported that Matt has been promoted and a new DM will be assigned. Sergio has left so another Parks Maintenance Worker will be hired in November. Studies are being conducted on mountain lions, rainfall and a creek assessment study regarding replacing bridges south of the Visitor Center. Rogue trails in the upper preserve will be closed for restoration. 

A bobcat specimen suitable for taxidermy is ready for installation in the model tree situated in the lobby of the Visitor Center. The Friends of Goodan Ranch are funding ½ of the cost of the bobcat.     

                                          

 

The Owl Program Carol was scheduled to present in September was cancelled due to lack of attendance. A Project Wildlife Bat program was well received.

 

The speed limit has been raised on Sycamore Canyon Road between Rolling Hills and Sycamore Canyon Stables from 35 to 40mph. Phoenix plans to draft a letter protesting the change. Three trail crossings are impacted across Sycamore Canyon Road.

 

New Business:

 

Everett P. Siehe joined Carol on a visit to the ranch in order to share familial recollections of living in the canyon. His family, the Danielsons, homesteaded in the canyon. Identification of the schoolhouse location was made, as well as the Fischer homestead site (also serving as the Post Office). Stories of plane crashes and missile explosions were told.

 

DeAnne shared the new trail map being distributed at the kiosk at the Sycamore Canyon Road Staging Area. Having ridden the southwest trail loop, signage is in place. Much discussion of the trail’s merits ensued. West Mission Trails is bringing on rangers responsible for the area.

 

Clark Canyon rogue trails are problematic, with management resources limited and poor trail design.

 

Wildlife monitoring has been postponed. 

Gardner has been attending the Trans-County Trail meetings. Trail assessments are being conducted through Los Peñasquitos Canyon and Poway to Martha’s Grove. Permission by 5 property owners for access to Calle de Rob may facilitate access to Highway 67. Continuation on Foster’s Truck Trail and to the San Vicente Reservoir is being discussed.

Nominations for officers and board members for 2014 were made. The existing officers and board members are willing to remain in their current positions.  Formal elections will take place at the next meeting.

 Meeting was adjourned at 7:55pm.

 Next meeting: February 3, 2014, 7:00pm at Coco’s Poway.

**************

Dead Birds: Dead less than 24 hours – no obvious damage – do Not freeze. Call 1-888-551-4636.Weekends: 858-565-5255

Have you found an injured or orphaned bird or mammal in San Diego County?

Call Project Wildlife at 619-225-9202. See their web site at: www.projectwildlife.org

 

Events at Goodan Ranch/Sycamore Canyon:

Over ten miles of trails and service roads open to hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use.  Preserve visitors are welcome to visit our new visitor center.  Live animals and exhibits on Goodan History, Cedar Fire, Kumeyaay and the MSCP are on display.

Events, hikes and programs start at various Preserve locations.  Some require a one mile walk from Goodan Ranch staging to the Visitor Center. ALLOW ½ HOUR TO PARK AND WALK TO THE VISITOR’S CENTER.  Please check descriptions closely.  No vehicular traffic is permitted in the Preserve.  Transportation for those with disabilities can be arranged, by calling the ranger at (858)513-4737. Goodan staging area accessed from Poway Rd. east on Garden Rd, then south on Sycamore Canyon Rd.  Sycamore Canyon Rd. ends at parking lot.

Highway 67 staging area accessed through SOUTHBOUND Highway 67 only, half a mile south of Scripps Poway Parkway. 

All events are free.  For information or to make event reservations call (858)513-4737 or email Justin.Gibbons@sdcounty.ca.gov.          

INTRODUCTI ON TO GEOCACHI NG

Date Saturday, December 7

Time 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Fee Free

Never heard of Geocaching? Well, now is the time to learn. Geocaching is a sort of treasure hunt, where users use a handheld GPS device to find a hidden container, usually containing a log book and small trinkets. This is your chance to experience this sport in theonly County of San Diego Park where it is allowed. This program is aimed at guests who have never played the sport and would like to learn about it. A slideshow and discussion in the visitor center will be followed by geocaching out in the park. It is recommended that guests bring their own GPS units as the number available from staff are very limited but one can still enjoy it without one. Two new geocaches will be placed out for this event! Space is limited to 50 so please call (858) 513-4737 for reservations. 

Dec. 20^th Sunset Star party

Jan. 11^th, 2014 9:30 Scavenger Hunt

Jan. 17^th Sunset Star Party

Feb. 8^th 9AM Wildlife Bingo

Feb. 21^st Sunset Star party

 

The Parks website is www.sdparks.org. See

http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/reusable_components/images/parks/doc/ProgramGuides/DPRProgramGuide.pdf

 During rainy weather and post rainy weather the Parks Preserves are closed for safety and damage control due to muddy, wet trails and roads.  Please check the Parks website or call the ranger’s office at 858-513-4737 for Preserve status. 

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK (Old Poway)

Sat. Dec. 14^th

3:30 – 8:30pm

Museums open, train running and lots of Old-fashioned holiday activities.  FREE

 

JOIN NOW FOR   2014 

 All Memberships are from 1 January of each year.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

 

Name___________________________________

Address_________________________________

City_____________State__________ Zip______

Phone__________________________________

Email___________________________________

 

____$20 Senior 62 plus      ____$20 Student

____$25 Individual   

____$40 Family

____$100 Patron    

 ___ $250 Corporate    ____$1000 Lifetime

 

 

PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECK OUT TO “FRIENDS OF GOODAN RANCH”

AND SEND IT TO: MEMBERSHIPS

13030 Birch Lane,

 Poway, CA 92064

Friends of Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserves

c/o 13030 Birch Lane,

Poway, CA92064

President: Carol Crafts

Vice President: Gardner Grady

Secretary: Karen Larsen Gordon

Treasurer: Terry Callan

www.goodanranch.org

President’s Report:

Congratulations to Gardner Grady, our Vice-President, for being selected County Parks Volunteer of the Month.

Congratulations to Board Member, Ann Tipps, who is now a Health Sciences Clinical Professor, a Full Professor at U.C.S.D.

Farewell to Cory Linder as he leaves our County Parks and Recreation Dept. for another position.

Read more as found in the Dept. of Parks and Recreation’s publication, Dispatch, reprinted below. Also, look at the two web sites listed. We have been blessed with a cooler than usual summer so I hope you have been able to get out and visit our park. Did you get to the Movie in our Park? It was a fun evening.

The City of Poway will be having a parade on the 7th of September thanks to a group of concerned citizens and the Rotary Club. The Friends of Goodan Ranch & Sycamore Canyon are not only having a small group of participants but is also a sponsor. “I Love a Fit Poway” is the appropriate parade theme for a park that allows equestrians, mountain bikers, bird watchers and hikers to enjoy its open spaces 365 days of the year, unless it is, or has been, raining.

The Draft Sycamore Canyon Goodan Ranch Preserve Resource Management Plan is available at: http://www.san-diego.ca.us/parks/managementplans.html

Minutes:

Friends of Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserves met on August 5, 2013.

Meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM with Carol Crafts, Nancy Ujazdowski, Phoenix Von Hendy, Terry Callan, and DeAnne Erickson.

We were pleased that the new infra-red camera has arrived and that Phoenix will deliver it to the Rangers soon.

The Movie in The Park which took place July 13th was not well attended.

Phoenix report that the Poway City council has voted to raise the speed limit on Sycamore Canyon Road from 35 to 40 miles per hour. Concern was expressed by our group for the dangerous conditions that exist on this road, no shoulders, blind turns and many equestrians and bicycles.

We discussed participating in the Poway Parade which we had already voted to financially support.

We have also voted to participate in the publication of a new CINCH (Council Interpreting North County History) brochure featuring many North County Historical Societies.

Carol will host the owl program at the Visitor Center at 11 AM Sept. 28th.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.

Next Meeting: Nov 4, 2013 at 7 pm Poway Coco’s.

Remembering

Sue Adams

In 1988 I moved to Indio, CA with my husband. We quickly became involved with The Living Desert, where Sue Adams was Curator of Education. Whether studying plate tectonics, flora and fauna of the desert or learning how to lead a group of visitors, Sue was a wealth of knowledge. She was also an artist and her renderings of feathers were incredibly realistic. Sue’s illustrations can be found in “Nature Guide to the Mountains of Southern California by car & on foot” and in “Trees and Gardens of Balboa Park”. In 1997 as my husband and I prepared to move “over the mountains,” Sue surprised me when I told her of our finding a new home near Goodan Ranch. “That was my grandparents ranch” she said. It made the sadness of leaving a wonderful friend easier as it seemed we were returning to her family. Through Sue, we were able to meet many of her relatives, including Uncle Doug and his wife Eunice, and cousin Mary Elena. What a joy it was to walk with them over the grounds they so clearly loved. Sue died on March 27, 2013 after a valiant struggle with cancer. I look forward to more walks with her family in the coming years.

Carol

Did you know?

D.P.R. Dispatch August –September 2013

Farewell Cory Linder!

Cory Linder officially started with the County in February of 1989. However, prior to that he was an intern for two semesters in the Development Division and then was a provisional employee for six months. Long story short, he has worked for DPR for 24 years.

So where is he going? He has accepted a position with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes as Director of the Recreation and Parks Department. It’s an opportunity that he just cannot pass up. Thank you, Cory, for caring for our parks and recreational activities.

MSCP Land Acquisitions Preserve Open Space

Development Updates

The County Board of Supervisors has given the green light to buy more than 400 acres of open space for the Multiple Species

Conservation Program or MSCP. The program is designed to preserve San Diego County’s natural

wildlife and habitat for future generations. The largest acquisition to create the 800 acre Bottle Peak Preserve

involves 382 acres of land in the area east of Escondido and southwest of Lake Wohlford.

The land to be purchased adjoins 418 acres purchased by The Escondido Creek Conservancy. Located at the

headwaters of Escondido Creek, the acquisition will allow the County to fulfill a vision of watershed-wide

protection along with the Conservancy. The property features high quality southern mixed chaparral and coast

live oak woodland habitats. It will be a shared management project by the County and the Conservancy.

The Board also approved the purchase of 20 acres for the Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch Preserve. The land is located

in the Poway area west of State Route 67 and east of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The acquisition

will help create a multi-use trail through the preserve between the cities of Poway and Santee. In turn, that

trail will eventually link with the San Diego River regional trail network.

A separate purchase of 9.3 acres was approved for the Barnett Ranch Preserve in Ramona.

The purchase will offset 6.6 acres of land that will be needed to widen San Vicente Road.

Volunteer Corner

By Cheryl Wegner, Volunteer Coordinator

Gardner Grady’s passion for mountain biking and trail advocacy prompted him to become a volunteer with CountyParks

and Recreation Department several years ago, joining our volunteer patrol team in 2008.

Though he rides and does trail work all over the county, he primarily serves the Goodan Ranch/Sycamore Canyon

Open Space Preserve near his home.

Mr. Grady is a past president of the San Diego Mountain Bike Association, and has attended countless

public meetings in support of mountain biking and non-motorized multi-use trails, including the Parks

Advisory Committee, as a volunteer member. Gardner has led trail work parties over the years, assisting Parks

staff in maintaining multi-use trails around the County.

The San Diego Mountain Bike Association was one of the first organizations to partner with the County Parks

and Recreation Department in the “Adopt A Trail Program.” Their commitment to the Martha’s Grove Trail at

Goodan Ranch/Sycamore Canyon will serve the trails community for years to come.

Beginning Tracking Walks

Join an experienced SDTT Tracker for a FREE easy wildlife tracking walk. Look for tracks, scat, and further evidence that coyotes, bobcats, raccoon, deer, and other wildlife have been in the area! No reservation is necessary. Simply show up at the designated time and location:

First Saturday of every month at 8:30 a.m. at theMission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center For information: www.mtrp.org or 619.668.3281

Second Saturday of every month at 8:00 a.m. at the Adobe Ranch House in Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

For information: www.sdtt.org or 760.715.4102

E-mail: info@sdtt.org  “Tracking Our Native Wildlife”

**************

Dead Birds: Dead less than 24 hours – no obvious damage – do Not freeze. Call 1-888-551-4636.Weekends: 858-565-5255

Have you found an injured or orphaned bird or mammal inSan Diego County?

Call Project Wildlife at 619-225-9202. See their web site at: projectwildlife.org

******************

Events at Goodan Ranch/Sycamore Canyon:

Over ten miles of trails and service roads open to hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use.  Preserve visitors are welcome to visit our new visitor center.  Live animals and exhibits on Goodan History, Cedar Fire, Kumeyaay and the MSCP are on display.

Events, hikes and programs start at various Preserve locations.  Some require a one mile walk from Goodan Ranch staging to the Visitor Center. ALLOW ½ HOUR TO PARK AND WALK TO THE VISITOR’S CENTER.  Please check descriptions closely.  No vehicular traffic is permitted in the Preserve.  Transportation for those with disabilities can be arranged, by calling the ranger at (858)513-4737. Goodan staging area accessed fromPoway Rd. east on Garden Rd, then south on Sycamore Canyon Rd.  Sycamore Canyon Rd. ends at parking lot.

Highway 67 staging area accessed through SOUTHBOUND Highway 67 only, half a mile south of Scripps Poway Parkway.

All events are free.  For information or to make event reservations call (858)513-4737 or emailJustin.Gibbons@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Saturday, September 28th, 2013     11:00am

Owl Program.   Join Carol Crafts of Project Wildlife and her owl friends and see these amazing animals up close and personal.  Learn all there is to know about these amazing nighttime raptors and their incredible adaptations.  We will have at least one local native species for guests to see as well as owl pellets to dissect.  This is sure to be a fun 1 hr program for all ages so make a day of it and come out.  Space is limited to 50 so please call (858)513-4737 for reservations.

Program will be held at Preserve Visitor Center.

OCTOBER

Friday, October 18th, 2013     Sunset

Star Party.   Join SDAA volunteer astronomers and County Parks for a night with the stars.  Come experience the chance to view our galaxy using the same technology used by the professionals.  Viewers get a chance to see many amazing sights, depending on time of year, that they wouldn’t normally see without the trained eye of the astronomers.  Come prepared to be amazed.

Program will be held at Highway 67 Staging area accessed Highway 67 southbound only.  RAIN or CLOUDS CANCEL.

Saturday, October 26th, 2013     11:00am

Bats Alive!!!   Bats play an important role in insect control, and have evolved intriguing behaviors and adaptations to be successful hunters of the night.  Join bat rehabilitation expert, Cindy Meyers, for an enjoyable presentation with amazing live bats, and learn about the ecological benefits these small creatures provide.  County Parks is proud to partner with dedicated volunteers from Project Wildlife and provide this informative natural resource 1 hr program, which fosters stewardship of our regional wildlife and natural resources.  Space is limited to 50 so please call (858)513-4737 for reservations.  Guests will park at Goodan Staging area and must walk approximately 1 mile down to visitor center.

Program will be held at Preserve Visitor Center.

NOVEMBER

Friday, November 1st, 2013     6:00pm – 8:00pm

Star Hike.   Join George Varga for a unique and enlightening star gazing hike.  Guests will be shownvarious star clusters visible with the naked eye while enjoying beautiful Sycamore Canyon at night.  George is very knowledgeable in his field and is sure to keep you looking to the stars.  Guests will hike down to visitor center and back and are encouraged to bring binoculars as well as sturdy shoes and warm clothes.   Space is limited to 30 so please call (858)513-4737for reservations.  Rain or Cloudy conditions cancel.

Program will start at Goodan Staging Area.

Friday, November 15th, 2013     Sunset

Star Party.

See Oct. 18th.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Name___________________________________

Address_________________________________

City_____________State__________ Zip______

Phone__________________________________

Email___________________________________

____$20 Senior 62 plus

____$20 Student

____$25 Individual

____$40 Family

____$100 Patron

___ $250 Corporate ____$1000 Lifetime

PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECK OUT TO “FRIENDS OF GOODAN RANCH”

AND SEND IT TO: MEMBERSHIPS

13030 Birch Lane,

Poway, CA 92064

JOIN NOW FOR 2013

All Memberships are from 1 January of each year.

 

Our book, Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon; A history of the land, then and now, is now available for

$5.00 (includes tax); add $2.25 for postage

Contact rcrafts@cox.net or call 858.486.0919