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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