Start 2012 off right !!!!
“Resolution Walk: The One Resolution You Can Keep.”
The event has no sponsors, no starting time, no t-shirts and no porta-potties. Just round up the kids and some friends and go for a walk. The trail surface is fine for strollers. Bring the dog, but do leash him or her, and tote some poop bags. Traffic should be light, so horses might feel comfortable, too.
You can start anywhere between Woods Valley and Cole Grade Roads on the trail, which runs along Valley Center Road. Enjoy our beautiful trail, get some exercise and greet your neighbors.
KEYS CREEK CANYON and STONE HOUSE
On the morning of a hot day in Valley Center, August 27th, twenty-two VCTA members and future members went on a grand hike into the Keys Creek Canyon . One of the stalwart hikers was about three years old and her younger brother made the trip on his father’s back. Our official hike leader was Minette Ozaki and our native guide was Larry French. Larry French has lived on Canyon Road for many years since it was his parents who built the house there. Canyon Road is off Valley Center Road and is above Keys Creek. Larry led us across his property onto the old road that was cut into the canyon by the builder of the stone house early in the 20th Century. In less than 30 minutes, dodging poison oak, we all made it down into the bottom of the canyon and to the old stone house, which is now roofless and in some decay. We enjoyed exploring the structure and thinking how it must have looked when intact and serving as a home and veterinary station. One wonders why the vet built his house and office in such a remote location.
Joaquin Aganza (below, with his photo) recalled that ”the hike was great! As the trail is mostly under a canopy of oaks the heat was not an issue. Trail was very useable, not steep, and although we had a very mixed crowd in terms of fitness I heard no complaints. The
stone house is a very worthy destination. Everyone I spoke to on the hike was very happy to participate.”
The return up the canyon was on a different trail, narrower and a bit steeper , exiting through a fence onto an different part of Canyon Drive. Everyone said they enjoyed the trip and we all thanked Larry and Minette profusely for taking us on this expedition. The universal wish was for more such hikes both into Keys Creek and also into other parts of Valley Center. VCTA may be organizing another hike into Keys Creek in the near future for those who were not able to make the first one and for those who would like to do it once again, as I do, again led by Larry French. Watch this website for future announcements of hikes.
Larry Gartner, VCTA Vice Chair for Grants and deputy hike leader
SUPPORT VALLEY CENTER TRAILS with a t-shirt! T-shirts and other merchandise can be purchased at:
North County Times Article on Valley Center Trails
The VCTA has its first priority to help the county to acquire voluntary easements for a staging area and trail branching off Heritage Trail along Keys Creek for more than a mile into the canyon. Eventually, that trail may extend for six miles, connecting through the canyon along the creek to the future Lilac Ranch project.
Other high priorities include safe trails/pathways to and from our schools and the town center, entry into Daley Ranch from Mirar de Valle, and trails on the western edge of the Rincon Reservation. These, and other map additions are very exciting opportunities for the community and VCTA. It takes a lot of time, effort and money --anything you can do to help is a great community contribution!
Any individual, business, or organization sympathetic to supporting non-motorized trails in Valley Center may join VCTA by contacting Membership Chair Fred Wollman at 760-518-8545 or fred@fwollman.com.
Annual dues are $10 for students and seniors over 55, and $25 for households or businesses (only one vote per membership please). Reciprocal memberships with Friends of Hellhole Canyon are also available for only $15 in addtion to your VCTA membership. Let's support Valley Center as a community. Thank you!
