State: California
Location: Cleveland National Forest
Length, One-Way: 3.4 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 4000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 5100 feet
Best Season: Spring to Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate
Trail Information
The trail descends along the old Barker Valley Road for about 2 miles before joining the old Barker Valley Trail. The trail then descends the west side of the drainage and ends in a large meadow on the north side of the west fork of the San Luis Rey River. The trail offers some great views of Dyche, Will and Mendenhall Valleys. Vegetation along the trail is mostly chaparral, lower in the valley sycamore, black oak, coastal live oak and cottonwood are found.
A spring exists at the riverside of the meadow. The water should be filtered or otherwise treated before use. The meadow area provides good camping (A visitor pass is required for overnight stays in the backcountry. Campfires are not permitted at any time). Other features of interest in the area are a set of falls in the San Luis Rey River canyon to the southeast of the meadow.
Directions
From San Diego:
Take Interstate 8 east to Highway 67. Take Highway 67 north through Ramona to Santa Ysabel. Turn left on Highway 79 and drive north to Forest Road 9S07 (about 7 miles northwest of Warner Springs). Follow 9S07 west to the trailhead.
From the LA Basin:
Take Interstate 15 south to Highway 79 near Temecula. Take Highway 79 south toward Warner Springs. About 2 miles southeast of Sunshine Summit take Forest Road 9S07 west. In about 7 miles the trailhead sign will be found on the left side of the road. Parking is in the wide area along the road.
A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to be displayed on your vehicle while parked at the trailhead.
