Monday, June 11, 2012

Inaja Trail

Although this is a National Recreation Trail, most people have never been there, or even heard of it.  The entrance is hidden behind a little memorial* picnic area in the mountains outside of Santa Ysabel, California. We've driven by it many times on the way to our favorite mountain top. We fell into the group of those who had never heard of it. We stopped in just to take a look at the picnic area.  We were really surprised!  It's a fairly short trail, but we loved it.

The payoff spot is on and near the top of that hill.

Through the rocks

Up the hill

Lots of wildflowers still

Just because I liked it

Payoff #1. This is the Santa Ysabel valley.  We approached this place from beyond the far horizon. I LOVE that valley and could easily live there. It's totally rural, but not too far from what you need. Oh yeah, there is also a very small (but awesome) Indian Casino very close by. This valley sits next to one of the many reservations in the area.

Payoff #2. This is the San Diego river valley. Never heard of the San Diego river? Well, neither had I!
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*Almost 60 years ago eleven firefighters died while fighting the Inaja Fire in the rugged mountains of Diego County. This trail and a picnic area were created as a memorial to the firefighters who lost their lives.
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I hope this gets posted in the morning. I get my internet connection by using my phone as a hotspot. Right now I have one bar of reception, and sometimes none. We are on the road for 10 days and I hope to have some good pics and/or stories before we get back home.

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60 comments:

  1. You'd have lots of peace, quite and elbow room out there!

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  2. Your pictures are beautiful, wonderful sunshine, beautiful day for a walking in this adorable landscape!

    oh internet connection problems is always a headache.I hope it's okay today!
    hugs
    Léia

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  3. have fun on the road! drive safe :)

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  4. The greatest journeys are the ones we did not expect to take.
    Your pay-off on this hike was priceless views.
    Thanks for sharing the beauty and the info, Pat.

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  5. Great photos! I'd love to hike a trail like that.

    I use the hotspot on my phone for internet too. It's always touch and go - even right here in my house, depending on the weather. Kinda frustrating sometimes. Looks like your post did show up on time, though.

    Happy Roadtripping!! Can't wait to see the next post and more snapshots. Visiting your blog always makes me want to head west.

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  6. Wow, what a view! Definitely worth the hike.

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  7. Definitely worth the stop and walk! Amazing scenes, Pat :-) And so peaceful...

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  8. Your post came through, Pat, and beautiful photos too!

    That two valleys look so fantastic. Have a fun and safe trip!

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  9. What gorgeous captures of an incredibly beautiful place, Pat!! And what a view!! I particularly love the last shot! Sounds as though you are having such a terrific trip! Thanks for sharing the beauty and the fun! Enjoy your week!!

    Sylvia

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  10. love that beautiful valley! the 'liked it' shot reminds me of a whale beginning to breach. :)

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  11. Beautiful pictures. I especially love the last one. Absolutely amazing!!

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  12. Wow, those two payoffs are worth it. Thanks for sharing your wonderful pics.

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  13. I love rewarding vistas after a long hike. And after a good golf game a little liquor doesn't hurt!

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  14. Nice tail Pat! I enjoyed the incredible photos too!

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  15. You and your wife sure are getting around these days!!!

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  16. Looks like a fun and scenic hike!

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  17. All my visits to San Diego, I never knew. It looks breath taking.

    xoRobyn

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  18. All my visits to San Diego, I never knew. It looks breath taking.

    xoRobyn

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  19. Essas paisagens são tão agrestes e tão bonitas.

    Boa continuação da semana!
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil

    ¸.•°`❤♡¸¸.•

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  20. Fabulous, Pat. That is MY (our) kind of place... We love to hike to places that are not well-known, just like that place.. What a great place and views... Wow!!! Love it.

    Have a wonderful trip.
    Betsy

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  21. Apparently it did get posted and looks fantastic. Kind of like a scene out of the show The Big Valley. Who couldn't want to live in a valley?? Have a nice trip pat!

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  22. looks like a beautiful place to visit.

    amazing shots, you did take them at nice angles.

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  23. You visit some fantastic places. Nowadays, I'm lucky to visit the local Dairy Queen.
    On the other hand, it IS Dairy Queen.

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  24. Oh, gorgeous. And just look at that blue sky! Can you send some of it to London? Pretty please?

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  25. Looks like a worthwhile hike, but I've yet to find one that wasn't. Good photos.

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  26. i know that isn't a giant swimming pool at the bottom, but it should be.

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  27. Love traveling with you my friend!

    Put 10.00 on 8's the Hard way for me!

    J

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  28. Wow, beautiful. Those rocks almost look like they were dripped there with the wildflowers. Ours are just starting to bloom ...

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  29. Gorgeous place -- that's the dream place to live, rural but close enough...-- i'm having troubles blogging from the road right now as well -- either I'm too tired or the internet connection is, so I know what you mean. Today's a rest day and we have wyfi, yay!

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  30. I love these virtual walks you take us on Pat! Have a lovely 10 days on the road & I look forward to your return & reading of your adventures! :)

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  31. Fantastic photos as always. Love the one of the rocks. We have the same taste there.

    The Old Salt lived in San Diego for forty years. I ask him and he could not remember the San Diego River either.

    Enjoy your travels and be safe out there.

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  32. I love this area and I wish I would have found this trail. What a beautiful place! I've heard of the San Diego Creek because it flows into Newport Back Bay but not the river.

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  33. I love the view! The wildflowers and smooth rocks are great. I told John (Sinbad and I) that I needed to take a trip west. You make me want to even more.

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  34. A wonderful place, great pictures. I like those rocks eroded.

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  35. You love all the places I love. this place is paradise.

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  36. San Diego River? I'm going to ask my co-workers in SD if they've ever heard of it! Stunning views, absolutely stunning!!

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  37. Ms. A - Yep! The first valley is in a legislated no development zone also. So, it's pretty much always going to look that way. What is REALLY nice, is that beyond that valley are 4 or 5 more just like it.

    Leia - Thanks so much Leia! It was an unexpected and nice surprise. I have zero phone signal here, but sometimes a little bit of internet.

    baygirl - We are having a blast. This place is AMAZING. It's in the middle of nowhere and the weather is amazing!

    Pam - You are so right! We had no idea there was a trail there. My pleasure!

    Jenn - Hi there! Thanks so much! Horace Greely said it first...

    Alex - It was a nice surprise and worth the hike.

    Nat - It sure was! We'll be back in that area in a few weeks and we'll do that hike again.

    Wong - It sure was!

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  38. Icy BC - Thanks! I was happy to see it get posted. I've seen enough stuff already for several posts.

    Sylvia - Thanks Sylvia! It was a great place. Right now, we are in another of our favorites.

    TexWisGirl - That is exactly what I thought! I think they call it "spy hopping."

    Baby Sister - Thanks! I can't wait to go back there.

    Clarissa - It made it even better that it was a short hike and that hardly anybody ever takes it. Thanks Clarissa!

    Sharon - Me too! Love it even more if the hike is a short one! I've yet to discover golf. Maybe someday.

    Brian - Thanks Brian! I appreciate it.

    becca - Thanks so much!

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  39. TheChieftess - Hi there! We sure are. It seems like we get antsy after about 10 days at home.

    Carly - It was both of those things!

    Robyn - Well, you gotta cut inland a ways, but as the crow flies it's only about 40 miles from the coast.

    Magia - Thanks so much! I agree with you.

    Betsy - Thanks Betsy! I knew you would like it. I think you get out more than we do and we get out a lot.

    Chuck - Especially a valley with a small and awesome casino on the edge of it! Thanks Chuck.

    Betty - It sure is. Thanks so much! Isn't it all about the angle anyway?

    Al - Thanks Al! Yum, if there was a Dairy Queen within 20 miles, I'd be there!

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  40. Pam - thanks so much my friend!

    Talli - I really liked the scenery. I'd like it better if there were some scattered clouds about. Okay, I'm sending it...

    Sage - I'm with you! If there wasn't something good at the end, it wouldn't have been a trail in the first place.

    Ven - Nope! No pool... darn it...

    John - Thanks! I'm glad you're with me! No craps for me!

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  41. M Pax - Thanks! You are getting a very late start up there!

    Sallie - I agree! It always looks very good to me. I know what you mean. We are buried in a valley among many mountains right now. I have ZERO phone signal, just a bare little internet coming from somebody else.

    Liz - Thanks! It's my pleasure! We had a fantastic day today. Did a lot of back road exploring.

    Rita - Thanks Rita! I don't think it's really a river these days. Maybe a long time ago...


    James - Yep! My wife and I ride the bike trail on the banks of it. We pick it up at Laguna Canyon Road and ride it to the back bay.

    Laura - thanks Laura! So do I. Go west young lady, go west...

    Leovi - Thanks Leovi! Me too!

    altadenahiker - What do you expect? Great minds think alike!

    Wayne - It's not much of a river, that's for sure. Thanks!

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  42. Unexpected GOOD surprises are the BEST. What a superb trail.

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  43. Wow, beautiful clicks as usual. have fun on the road trip.

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  44. I tend to forget how much magnificent undeveloped land there is in the west.
    Have a great weekend, Pat.

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  45. Francisca - That is so true! It's also true in most other areas!

    Rek - Thanks Rek! We are having fun. Today, however, it decided to become VERY hot!

    Pam - It's so true Pam! Other than about 4 large urban areas, the state is pretty much empty...

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  46. Looks like a beautiful spot, particularly one hidden behind a picnic area.

    Darryl and Ruth :)

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  47. °`♥✿✿⊱╮
    ♡¸¸.•

    Boa semana!
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil
    ¸.•°`❤✿⊱╮

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  48. Such stunning pictures of your beautiful country.
    Thank you for showing me places i would never see otherwise :)

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  49. Hi there - this does look like a good place to explore. Rather like your blog if I may be so bold.
    I look forward to more exploration!

    Stewart M.

    PS: thanks for coming along for the ride on my blog.

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  50. What a beautiful place and that valley is so striking! Great adventures you have Pat!

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  51. def. love that beautiful valley!
    thanks for taking us along. what a beautiful place!
    as always, wonderful photos!

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  52. Beautiful photos, Pat. (Even the one of the "plumber").

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  53. What a gorgeous place to visit. The rock formations are so impressive, and the shot with the little yellow flowers popping out from them is so nice. I would love to visit here. genie

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  54. What a gorgeous place to visit. The rock formations are so nice, and the shot with the little yellow flowers popping out is especially appealing. The valley is so pretty. genie

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  55. This look a lot like Australia's Flinders Ranges in South Australia.

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  56. Very beautiful.

    Love the last Valley shot. Must get quite a bit of rain. Very green.

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  57. Looks like a lovely walk! Where is Santa Ysabel???

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