GOSD Membership Campout! Laguna Mountains: Horse Heaven Campground

Description

Contrary to its name, Horse Heaven Group Campground has no equestrian sites. Instead, this tent-only facility can accommodate group gatherings. It provides a great mountain getaway for city dwellers to relax and enjoy cool summer temperatures, hiking and other outdoor recreation, just one hour east of San Diego.

Facilities This site offers three areas for group gatherings: Lupine Loop can accommodate 40 people and 10 vehicles; The facility is equipped with vault toilets and drinking water. A general store is located 2.3 miles away at Mt. Laguna and Pine Valley.

Natural Features The campground sits at an elevation of 6,000 ft. in the Laguna Mountains. It is forested with pines and oaks that provide plenty of shade, in addition to a meadow. The area is home to many species of birds, as well as the endangered Laguna Skipper butterfly. Little Laguna lake is located just a short distance from the campground and is an excellent hiking destination for photographers and visitors looking to explore the area.

Recreation The Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is known for great horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking trails. Visitors can get their boots dusty on the Laguna Meadow Trail system or access a segment of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from California to the State of Washington. Wildflowers are usually abundant in April and May on the Big Laguna Trail, which takes visitors past Big Laguna Lake. In wet years there is water in Big Laguna Lake by December or January and ducks and other birds can be found. The trail presents a number of options to the user. A return to the trailhead parking can be made by cutting through the Laguna Campground or by taking the Pacific Crest Trail north. Families can learn about the area's flora and fauna by attending educational programs at the facility's amphitheater. Or for history buffs, the El Prado Cabin located at nearby El Prado Campground, is the first ranger cabin built in the Cleveland National Forest in 1911. The San Diego State University Observatory also sponsors "Star Parties" for campers most Saturday evenings during the summer (schedule can be obtained at the nearby visitor center or by calling 619-473-8547).

Contact Leader: KJ Archer, [email protected]

Weekend Schedule

Thursday, August 21

2:00 PM Arrival (tent placement subject to change)

6:00 PM Meet & Greet

7:00 PM Group Dinner and Bonfire

Friday, August 22

9:00 AM Coffee/Breakfast (on own)

10:00 AM Hike TBD: Potentially Garnet Peak via PCT (4.1mi)

12:00 PM Lunch (on own)

2:00 PM Hike TBD: Potentially Big Laguna Loop

6:00 PM Potluck

8:00 PM Storytelling/Bonfire

Saturday, August 23 9:00 AM Coffee/Breakfast (on own)

10:00 AM Hike TBD: Potentially Pictograph Trail (2.6mi)

12:00 PM Lunch (on own)

2:00 PM Hike TBD: Potentially Monument Peak via PCT (5.2mi)

6:00 PM Group Dinner (bring own)

8:00 PM Storytelling/Bonfire

Sunday, August 24

9:00 AM Coffee/Breakfast (on own)

11:00 AM Must Leave Camp