Palomar Mountain
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How to get there:
Locate Hwy. 79 runnung south. From Temecula (near I-15),
this road runs eastward, then more south passing Aguanga.
Continue south on Hwy 79 until you hit location
N33.33067, W116.70924, elevation about 930 meter.
A forest road that runs all the way to the summit starts here.
This road is dirt, but very nice for a couple of miles, it then is paved
(with some potholes) for the next 4 miles or so. It then turns back to
dirt again, but it is generally quite nice. A high clearance vehicle
would be preferable, 4WD is likely not needed under good (dry) conditions.
The road crosses several hills before Palomar finally comes into view.
Route description:
This report is a drive-up.
There is a fire lookout at the summit.
The highest point is located very near the base of this tower.
Comments:
I had climbed Toro Peak in the morning, then drove east to Palomar.
I had some initial trouble with locating the correct turnoff from Hwy. 79,
wasting a bit of time. I finally started driving uphill at 1220. The drive
to the summit is almost 13 miles and required slightly less than one hour.
I was greeted by a friendly man serving as a volunteer fire lookout in the tower.
He came down and told me quite a bit about the fire lookouts in San Diego, there was
one more. He was doing this unpaid, now retired, previously a police officer.
The tower also have a big information sign.
The view down to the famous Palomar telescope is good.
This was a very big scientific
instrument, the worlds biggest telescope from 1949 until 1975.
We talked for about 40 minutes before he climbed back up and I started my drive
back down.