PALOMAR MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
Landscape view of the mountain from the air over Palomar Mountain State Park "Palomar Mountain State Park features spectacular views of the Pacific, camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing (trout) in Doane Pond. Coniferous forests cover much of the 1,862 acres, in contrast to the dry lowlands surrounding the mountain. This is one of the few Southern California areas with a Sierra Nevada-like atmosphere.
Cedar Grove Group Campground will be on reservations starting April 1 through the end of November and Doane Valley Campground will be on reservations starting April 1 through the end of October.
Day-UseFishingyes
Hiking Trailyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
Palomar Mountain State Park is located near Escondido, Murrieta and San Marcos
Scott?s Cabin Trail
From Silver Crest Picnic Area to Scott?s Cabin; Cedar Grove Campgroundand Boucher Lookout is a 3.5 mile loop with 800-foot elevation gainPalomar Mountain is a state park for all seasons. Fall offers dramatic color changes, and blustery winter winds ensure far-reaching views from the peaks. In spring, the dogwood blooms, and during summer, when temperatures soar, the park offers a cool, green retreat.
A mixed forest of cedar, silver fir, spruce and black oak invites a leisurely exploration. Tall trees and mountain meadows make the park especially attractive to the Southern California day hiker in search of a Sierra Nevada-like atmosphere.
The discovery of bedrock mortars and artifacts in Doane Valley indicate that native peoples lived in this area of the Palomars for many hundreds of years. The mountains? pine and fir trees were cut for the construction of Mission San Luis Rey. Remote Palomar Mountain meadows were a favorite hiding place for cattle and horse thieves, who pastured their stolen animals in the high country until it was safe to sneak them across the border.
This day hike is a grande randonnee of the park, a four-trail sampler that leads to a lookout atop 5,438-foot Boucher Hill.
The park is off Highway 76, up Highway S6, then left on Highway S7 at the junction near the mountaintop.