What a travesty! .... Will they ever get it right?... Who has their fingers in this?...
"Palomar Mountain State Park features spectacular views of the Pacific, camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing (trout and bass) in Doane Pond. Coniferous forests cover most of the 1,862 acres and contrast the dry lowlands surrounding the mountain. This is one of the few Southern California areas with a Sierra Nevada-like atmosphere".
Palomar campgrounds has been around about a century and with a fiberglass pole in hand, kids of the kids have been fishing the lakes and streams throughout the area. If you've ever camped in southern California, you already know Palomar Mountain and what it brings to everyone visiting or camping overnight. Palomar is not only an excellent park for camping but is famous world wide for it's observatory. It's the best park in Southern California and one of the best in the country for observing planets, stars, meteors and anything else in the night sky. Surrounded by giant old growth pines, rugged mountains and lush valleys, makes the park prime for any adventurer of any calliper. Palomar campgrounds are one of our favorite local spots, their clean, safe and offer fishing at the local "Doane Pond". Kids and adults both love fishing and hiking and camping there. In the winter snow abounds and winter fun is everywhere, it's beautiful and easy to drive to.For man, many years, the month of September marked our family camping reunion at Palomar Mountain. The arrangements were made, we packed our fish rods, dome tents, camp stoves and portable chairs and away we went. It is close to every ones homes, down in the suburbs of San Diego and is less than a hour away. The drive up mountain is always exciting and the views outrageous, especially at night. During the day you can see all the way to the pacific ocean, not many mountains afford that type diversity. Fishing with a fiberglass rod or fish pen, worm or floating bait at Doane Pond is relaxing and fun, the kids can't get enough in. Back at camp everyone grabs a camp stool and mingle around the camp fire telling great stories of epithet till late in the evening then retire to the dome tent to dream the night away.
The serene environment of Palomar is most unique, with it's lush forest peaking high in the sky to it's teaming wildlife roaming the hill sides, Palomar is an experience comparable only to the High Sierras. The fishing with our fiberglass rod or fish pen and the memories will live on but the Palomar experiences may never again be seen. It will be a sad day when they close Palomar campgrounds. Now our final family reunion at Palomar may pass and anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to indulge may not have that chance. Preserves such as this must be kept open, its part of our heritage and provides experiences and camaraderie like nothing else. Maybe we'll just throw the dome tent up in the backyard, jump on a camp stool, blow up a kiddy pool, break out the fish pen and act like were in the woods.
With great anticipation the trip up the mountain excited us once again, but when we arrived at the campground we were shocked to find out of the likely closing of the park and relished our possible final days there but Its not too late to fight for our parks! A coordinated effort would help the cause, what can you do? You can do your part to call your representative, congressman, tell them how valuable it is to maintain Palomar Campgrounds an historic park, an adventure to be experienced.
