At The Backroads

Lake Poway from Lake Poway Loop Trail

We had been enjoying such pleasant warm weather here in San Diego despite some parts of the country in sub zero temperature. It is a hiking-perfect weather. The hike would really have been perfect had I not brought a very weak battery for my camera. Therefore, we were not even at the middle of the hike and my camera went dead  All the pictures here were taken from last weekend except the very last one of Ramona Dam which was taken last summer since I no longer had camera battery to take any picture after we reached the Ramona Dam/Lake Poway Intersection.

There are two routes for a hike to Ramona Dam. One starts at Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, hiking distance would be approximately 5 miles out and back with 800 ft change in elevation. The other one is through Lake Poway which is approximately 7 miles hike with change in elevation of 800 ft, but it will be like a 1200 ft change in elevation. Since you gain about 400 ft elevation at Lake Poway, go down to the intersection of Ramona Dam/Blue Sky/Lake Poway loop and then climb up another 800 ft. The hike from Lake Poway is a little bit longer than the hike from Blue Sky.

@ Lake Poway

We usually take the first route @ Blue Sky at summer when non-Poway residents (like us) have to pay the entrance fee at Lake Poway. However, during non-peak months from November to March, entrance at Lake Poway is free even for non-Poway residents. During these non-fee months that we make use of Lake Poway as our starting point to hike to Woodson Mountain or Ramona Dam.

Lake Poway abounds with waterfowls and ducks during the cooler months. From the parking lot, the shorter trail to Ramona Dam would be to take the trail to your left, this will lead you to Ramona Dam trail directly without rounding Lake Poway, and will cut the hike shorter by about 1- 1.5 mile. However, if you want to round Lake Poway, take the trail to your right first towards Woodson Mountain. But instead of taking the Woodson Mountain trail, you take the trail that is right next to the lake and follow the trail. But should you get lost and took the Woodson Mountain trail, Woodson Mountain is another beautiful hike which I had described here in my blog previously. It is my favorite local hike here in San Diego County.

Rounding Lake Poway

Lake Poway Trail is not limited to pedestrians only, but the trail is also open for bikers and equestrians.

Horseback Riders

However, there are some portions of the trail where bikers are not allowed. After rounding Lake Poway in about 2 miles, you will see branching trails to Lake Poway Loop, Blue Sky Ecological Reserve and Ramona Dam. Follow the Ramona Dam trail, the last 1.3 miles would be a steady ascent gaining an elevation of about 700 ft in that distance. It is a little more ascent than the Lake Poway ascent, but still not that very strenuous. The trail gives you an expanding view of Poway, Rancho Bernardo and much of inland Northern San Diego County.

@ Ramona Dam

Once you hit Ramona Dam, you can take your time taking in the scenery, or have a little snack break, and then, turn around back to Lake Poway.

Directions to Lake Poway: From I-15, exit Rancho Bernardo Rd, go East on Rancho Bernardo Rd, Rancho Bernardo Rd becomes Espola Rd, make a left at Lake Poway Drive, and arrive at Lake Poway. Parking is free for non-Poway residents from November-March, at other months, parking is $5.00 for non-Poway residents, free for Poway residents.