Kumeyaay Lake - Urban Camping San Diego

Kumeyaay Lake Campground is located within Mission Trails Regional Park offering dry camping on weekends.


The campground is about 2.5 miles east of the Mission Trails Visitor Center on Father Junipero Serra Trail.

Although the campground is only available to guests on weekends, the day use parking is always available and it is just a short walk to the lake.  The entire Mission Trails Park is part of the former Camp Elliott for munitions training during WWII.


The last munitions found here were in the early 80’s, with sweeps every 5 years since that have not found any additional ordinance.  Still it is wise to know the history and be aware to the possibility of additional finds. 

The trails are wide, safe and well marked.  Views of the lake and waterfowl are common from the campground.


Although we saw numerous birds, the lone Jackalope is the only land creature we saw despite the perfect habitat.


Not sure what this sign meant so a bit of investigation was required.



I’m going with idea the trail is closed ‘ahead’.  Still this trail to the amphitheater offers some of the best views of the lake.

Although our neighbors look a bit like modern Gypsies they were all very nice as they make their way as full time travelers in a converted school bus.  They do not document their stays and suggested they might want to consider doing so.


There are 5 named peaks within Mission Trails.  Bag all 5 and the park will provide a certificate.  I’ll have to start over since I have not done any selfies at each summit to prove the accomplishment.  Well starting over from 1 is not that big of a deal


The reason for selecting this destination was the monthly Star Party.  The San Diego Astronomical Association had 3 telescopes and 2 sets of Celstron celestial binoculars available for use.  Uranus was visible as a blue smudge but did not turn out in my lame camera nor did Andromeda.  Here’s a picture of Mars (a bit blurred) and a decent shot of the Orion Nebula, both taken with my little point-n-shoot Canon G16.


Orion without the benefit of magnification.


The Grand-girls came down Saturday for a bit of exploring.  Kg is our documentarian, and is as at home behind the camera as anybody.  I did not see what Kg was looking at as I was impressed with the reflections in the water


A lone dead coastal oak marks the entrance to the trails on the north side of the lake and the grasslands I’ve hiked before.  Seeing so much green is beautiful, but I cannot help but think of the tinder for the next fire season.


We intend to hike into Oak Canyon and follow it to the Old Mission Dam.  This is my 4th time into the canyon, but there was not a drop of water the last two times.  It’s indeed flowing big time this trip.




The Mission Dam has been rebuilt several times.  The original brick tiles can be seen in this photo, overlayed with concrete and then rocks and more concrete.  The dam was built in the early 1800s to offer a reliable water supply the the growing San Diego Mission.



After a 3+ mile loop we’re back at the campsite playing a card game called Hike.  And ready for an early dinner of carnitas tacos – YUM! and a challenge of Trivial Pursuit National Parks.


A few of the wildflowers seen along the way.




Single use plastic bags are no longer provided and reusable bags are required.  Daughter, Kami made several from the rainfly of their old tent.  Clever, strong and unique.  She knows what I want for Christmas!

Mission Trails – Santee, CA

With the hectic weekend behind, it was time to put the hiking boots back on to test the comfort level not just the damaged foot, but myself in general.  Today’s urban hike is the Mission Trails Regional Park in Santee, the largest open space preserve in California.  The East Fortuna entrance is immediately south of 52 at the Mast exit.


For a decent hike East Fortuna offers access to some good trails with a bit of variety, Mission Dam, Oak Canyon, but not easily to the Visitor's Center.  For a mountain bike workout try any of the entrances in Tierrasanta such as the end of Clairmont Mesa Blvd, which has lots of parking and restrooms.   The mountain bikers should call “On Your Left” as they approach hikers from behind – that’s the hikers queue to step to the right and let them pass.  If you’re on the bike please shout it out, us hikers expect it and appreciate it!

The Visitor Center is located in more of a rock climbing area.  While walking toward Mission Dam in about 3/4 mile there is an old metal foot bridge over the San Diego River providing access to the trails.

East Fortuna has a staging area for equestrians, it has ample parking, utilitarian restrooms and a doggie water fountain.  Behaved, leashed, dogs are welcome on all the trails.  At all the trailheads and locations throughout the park are trash and recycle containers.  Despite that I did see a couple beer cans, that’s just mean!  They’ve now been recycled.


From the trailhead it’s a short half mile to where the various loops and crossings begin.  All trails are well marked, it would be very hard to get lost.  If in doubt listen for the traffic on 52 and follow the traffic back to the parking area.  Really, Mast south only goes to the parking area.


Grasslands Crossing is a ‘T’ intersection with the trail left and right.  Note the sign only shows it going left, GO LEFT!


GO LEFT, the shade under the 52 overpass is tempting, but go left - here’s why.  Go right and you’ll reach the Park Boundary in a few yards.  No other signs and there’s a wide service road onto the Marine property of Camp Elliott.  Best known as ordnance training area during WWII, it was also home to original 29 Navajo Code Talkers.  The Marine ATV patrols will turn you back, detain you, or may even confiscate your mountain bike.  Go LEFT!  (OK I went right, but just to take the picture)



From the Grasslands Crossing Trail are loops to take as options.  This need not be an out and back hike.


There are informative signs along the trails, and evidence of the early Kumeyaay inhabitants.  It could not have been easy to create moteros in the conglomerate rock.


It does not take long to reach Mission Dam.  A bit of a marvel in its day to harness the San Diego River to supply Mission de Acala with reliable water.




Yes there is a campground in Mission Trails!  Friday/Saturday only, but today I want to retrace a hike I did with my daughter some time ago, following Oak Creek back up thru the canyon.




The Oak Creek Trail!  I did this with my daughter so long ago, back when California had water!  It was bliss then, hiking along a babbling creek, water falls, pools, wildlife. It was green!  Now it’s brown (aka California’s Gold) and the only wildlife is a bee hive in the tree.


There are a series of ‘Time Line’ signs along the trail, providing the history of the area.  But I’d rather had water in Oak Creek!


I’ve reached the return point on this adventure.  About 5 miles, but the foot feels good.  The East Fortuna staging area is less than a mile over the hill.


I did see a few late blooming wildflowers.  Enjoy!