Kathy and I started out early again on Wednesday (June 3rd) morning to meet with Cindy for some mountain bike riding in the Marian Bear Memorial Park which is located in the San Clemente Canyon.
Over forty million years ago an ocean covered the canyon. Fossilized mollusks, such as snails and clams from that period are still found in the canyon walls. Horizontal lunes of round rocks at many levels, separated by clay and sand, represent the various levels of the ocean washing sand away and leaving rocks at surf level. Wind and water erosion have also contributed to the depth of San Clemente Canyon.
Native Americans have inhabited the area of San Diego County for 10,000 years. Evidence of their presence still remains in San Clemente Canyon. In the late 19th century, this area was named Clemente Canyon for a Native American rancher. During the 1970's, nature's balance was threatened by plans to place State Route 52 along the canyon floor.
However, Marian Bear, an active community leader and environmentalist, worked tirelessly to preserve the canyons in their natural state. She was the driving force behind realigning the highway from the canyon floor to the north hillsides. In the 1980's another community campaign resulted in an additional 72 acres in the southeast section for the present total of 467 acres. On July 31, 1979 the park was rededicated by the City Council of the City of San Diego on behalf of the People of the City who are indebted to Marian Bear for her energetic and unselfish efforts as a Planner, Naturalist and Conservationist and her lasting contributions toward the preservation of open space for future generations.
The main canyon and its tributaries continue to support a population of resident wildlife including raccoons, skunks, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, and birds and serve as pathways for coyote, fox and other mammals. Along the length of the canyon are oak, sycamore, and willow trees.
The canyon has an intermingling of native plant communities some of whose range is restricted to Southern California and Northern Baja California. There is a riparian woodland along the creek beds and side canyons where water flows. The hillsides contain coastal sage scrub and chaparral.
Over forty million years ago an ocean covered the canyon. Fossilized mollusks, such as snails and clams from that period are still found in the canyon walls. Horizontal lunes of round rocks at many levels, separated by clay and sand, represent the various levels of the ocean washing sand away and leaving rocks at surf level. Wind and water erosion have also contributed to the depth of San Clemente Canyon.
Native Americans have inhabited the area of San Diego County for 10,000 years. Evidence of their presence still remains in San Clemente Canyon. In the late 19th century, this area was named Clemente Canyon for a Native American rancher. During the 1970's, nature's balance was threatened by plans to place State Route 52 along the canyon floor.
However, Marian Bear, an active community leader and environmentalist, worked tirelessly to preserve the canyons in their natural state. She was the driving force behind realigning the highway from the canyon floor to the north hillsides. In the 1980's another community campaign resulted in an additional 72 acres in the southeast section for the present total of 467 acres. On July 31, 1979 the park was rededicated by the City Council of the City of San Diego on behalf of the People of the City who are indebted to Marian Bear for her energetic and unselfish efforts as a Planner, Naturalist and Conservationist and her lasting contributions toward the preservation of open space for future generations.
The main canyon and its tributaries continue to support a population of resident wildlife including raccoons, skunks, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, and birds and serve as pathways for coyote, fox and other mammals. Along the length of the canyon are oak, sycamore, and willow trees.
The canyon has an intermingling of native plant communities some of whose range is restricted to Southern California and Northern Baja California. There is a riparian woodland along the creek beds and side canyons where water flows. The hillsides contain coastal sage scrub and chaparral.
Our first big climb...
after making it, well maybe I should say after getting to the top we had a super fun downhill ride.
It does not look like much but from where I'm standing there is a nice downhill run then a dip and a climb to where Cindy is perched waiting for us...
It does not look like much but from where I'm standing there is a nice downhill run then a dip and a climb to where Cindy is perched waiting for us...
After catching up with Cindy we had another great downhill run.
Scenic view along the trail...
After descending we entered into a more wooded area which followed the creek...
I am not going to lie, I did not make it through this while still on my bike :(
This was such a gorgeous spot we decided to stop and hang out for a while...
Not real sure if it was Cindy or Kathy's idea but we decided to follow this set of Railroad tracks "to see where they went" It was not much fun riding on the loose, sharp rocks.
At one point we entered some brush where I would have sworn there was no trail. The plants were so dense you had to hold on hard to your handlebars or the plants would take them.
We spent several hours exploring the trails, taking pictures and making videos by the time we finished we were hot, sweaty and full of dirt. And we had big smiles on our faces :)
I can hardly wait to get back to San Diego and explore more mountain biking in Southern California. I'm tentatively planning another trip out there at the end of September. The game plan is to drive out so I can stop in Nevada and Colorado along the way. I better start saving my pennies or try to find someone to come with me and share the expenses.
