POWAY 9TH STREET HIKE Submitted by Bobby G, Fred F and Master Gunny Fritz Photos by Fred F
Image:
Located about a mile from the Poway Alano Club this is an ideal hike for anyone willing to do some hiking and climbing. It will challenge the fit and work for the non-fit if they will simply take it slow and easy. The trails are well defined and almost impossible to get lost on. The attractions are great views of Poway, Scripps-Poway, Rancho Penasquitos and on a clear day the Pacific. If you take camera batteries with you (mine died), you won't have to rely on your buddies pics like I did. This is a nice hike for the pooch to go with you. I would recommend snake trained prior to taking them in the warmer months. This protects the dog and the dog will smell the snake and protect you. I understand that anti-venom is now about $900.00. The cost of training is certainly less than that. Talk to your vet or Petco for leads on trainers.
The trail head is obvious if you take Pomerado to 9th St. Turn west past the school and park either in the uppermost school lot or better yet in the preschool which is now closed. The trail(s) go West up the hill. Many form a loop and return on the west end of the Meadowbrook Middle School Campus while some go over the ridges and drop down abeam the newer housing developments along Poway Road. We have taken this route twice and stopped conveniently by StarBucks. In fact my four legged friend Mika is now a StarBucks certified mutt ! They tell me you can follow the ridges over to I-15 but I haven't done it yet. On our last trip a Very Physically Fit member took his mountain bike. Don't do it unless you are in great shape
DANGER... Snakes and Illegal Immigrants. We have seen no snakes but rest assured they are out there ! There are some encampments along the hillsides which we presume are undocumented workers. The folks camped there are really not interested in contact however be aware that they are there. We understand the INS is going to go through soon but it won't be a permanent fix. I don't recommend solo hikes. A recent hike turned up what some have believed to be large cat tracks. None have been spotted.
Look carefully and you may come across a memorial to a hiker that had a heart attack while hiking and passed away. Check the slide show for a picture.
What you take is up to you but remember that any remote hikes require emergency supplies such as energy bars, water (lots of it during hot weather), 1st aid kit, and sun protection for head and body. Plan on drinking the water on the way, don't hoard it. Cell phone coverage on the hill is very good.
You can do this hike for a short duration or stretch it out to 4 hours or so. The views are spectacular and of course the breeze and temperature change as you climb.
