Distance: 3.9mi Elevation Gain: 380′ Date and Time: Wednesday Nov. 7. 2018 1:05Pm 1:29:23min Temp: 70’s Hikeability: Easy Water & Snack: 1.5 liters Probar, Orange,
This scenic trail system consists of 2 separate trails tied together by the main trail to offer a 4 mile hike through the grasslands of Ramona. The journey out to the Preserve is almost as adventurous as the hike itself through the winding twists and turns of Highland Rd if coming from I-15 as I did.
Ramona Grasslands Preserve Sign Highland Valley Rd
Located southwest of the unincorporated township of Ramona, west of State Route 67, north of Highland Rd. and east and west of Rangeland Rd; trail head and staging area are on Highland Valley Rd., just east of Archie Moore Rd. Look for sign right outside the trailhead gate.
The main trail is pretty much designed for horses so its wide, hard packed sand and very easy on the body. Immediately off to the left and the trailhead start as you head west is the Meadow Loop which is .8 mile in length that offers some diversity in trail and vegetation
Ramona Grasslands
The Meadow Loop takes you back into some areas that present nice views of the distant peaks of Iron Mt. and Mt Woodson. I took this loop on the way back as it meets up with the main trailhead about .5 miles in from the staging area. You could take this loop and join up wit the main trail if you choose.
As you head west the entire Grasslands Preserve opens up before you to the Northside of the trail. The low lying grasslands are dotted with coastal sage scrub and oak woodlands
As I hiked along I spotted way off in the distance two coyotes making there way across the grasslands, a serene and surreal sight indeed, I was just glad they weren’t Bobcats. Bobcats and Mountain Lions are common in the area, so its not uncommon to spot one. As always be vigilant.
You will soon come to a sign post stating .2 miles to the Wildflower Loop, which is a 2.2 mile loop that veers right, continues west, northwest then curves south and then loops around back south east to the Wildflower loop sign, where you started your hike of this section of the Preserve a total of 2.2 miles.
The trail of the Wildflower loop consists of hard-packed earth, sand and soft sand. The trail gets as wide as a single lane highway, great for the horses and bikers that use this trail, and then narrow to enough for one person to pass as you get halfway through the 2.2 section of the 4 mile trail system.
The same vegetation of coastal sage scrub and oak woodlands is much of the vegetation until about the halfway point of the 2.2 mile loop. Here the vegetation reduces to low lying sage scrub and broken chaparral. other indigenous plant life to the area.
You can’t go wrong on this trail as its easy to hike, is surrounded by beautiful open grasslands and enough oaks and sage scrub to paint a very scenic landscape for a 4 mile hike. The Meadow Loop will bring you back to the original loop trail marker.
At this point veer right to head back east to the staging area. You will soon come to the Meadow Loop on your right, which I took and headed south on the trail and back around to the very beginning of the staging area and trailhead start.
If you are looking for a change of pace hike that is very quiet, relaxing, easy, flat and a beautiful scenic view of the back country grasslands of Ramona, then the Ramona Grasslands Preserve is for you….As always lots of water, hike with a friend, snacks and Hike On!
