Many Trails To Travel, Many Tales To Tell

By Barbara B. Baker, Event & Volunteer Coordinator

THE SEASON FOR MISTLETOE

The San Dieguito River Park has many trails to explore within its 55 mile corridor.   When the weather turned cooler I opted to go on a “Mike Hike” to Volcan Mountain.   I had ideas about losing weight before the holidays when I planned to thoroughly indulge in Christmas cookies and hot apple cider like I do every year; after which the cycle is repeated and I am looking for ways to shed pounds by way of a New Year’s Resolution!   This hike would be special because it isn’t for everyone.   On a “Mike Hike” you have to be serious about your exercise and equally serious about the importance of views, vistas, panoramas   . . .

I love beautiful scenery. As I huffed and puffed my way to the summit of Volcan Mountain I did think of the upcoming holidays, but not in any way I expected.   Mike pointed out mistletoe on top of the Black Oak trees and explained how there are many species of mistletoe; including one that grows on Sycamores and Willows.   I always buy the mistletoe when kids are selling it from Thanksgiving through the New Year.   It’s not so much that I long to capture a kiss, but I like the whole romantic notion of it.   Then Mike revealed to us that this hairy substance is in fact a parasite, putting its “host” under stress.

Mike Thacker has been a River Valley Guide with the San Dieguito River Park for years, almost from its inception.   Quiet and unassuming, he is also passionate about the environment.   He conveys this when he’s walking and talking – his activities have been dubbed “Mike Hikes” by returning participants.  

Mike Thacker

I discovered that the strenuous five mile round trip was a small part of the experience.   My fears of crumpling to the ground exhausted when I reached the top faded as I gazed for miles in every direction.    I momentarily forgot about the hot apple cider minutes away in Julian.   I had a bird’s eye view . . .

Birds distribute the mistletoe seeds by eating the berries; the seeds of those berries must pass through their digestive tracts to germinate so that in essence the bird droppings on a branch or stem become mistletoe, hence the combination of Greek words meaning dung and twig.   Tiny roots sprout from the seeds, penetrate the tree’s bark and begin taking nutrients.   From the roots, green shoots sprout, the plant grows, fruit is produced, and then the cycle is repeated.   Young or small trees are seldom infected by mistletoe because birds are attracted to larger and older trees.   Mistletoe doesn’t put roots in the ground.

This liberation from the earth made the Druids believe the mistletoe was sacred; it was considered bad luck to let any mistletoe touch the ground.   Traditions grew from these pagan beginnings.   Mistletoe came to symbolize the magic of fertility and then strength and through time it came to represent love and health.   Although mistletoe is a Christmas tradition with no Christian symbolism, the western world incorporated it into the festivities.   Today mistletoe is part of the whole holiday celebration.   It’s a business as well, and a productive one at that!

The Volcan Mountain Hike is truly worthwhile.   Although it is closed in wintertime due to its high elevation and inclement weather, the San Dieguito River Park will be hosting another Mike Hike on Saturday, March 26 th   -- I’ll be there again to see what Spring offers!   In the meantime, you can still go up to Julian, sip hot cider and enjoy the views from the bottom.   They’re not quite like the summit, but there’s just something about the crispness of the air in this season, the beauty and peace that we take time to enjoy more than at any other time of the year, and the promise of never ending cycles of life   -- like my cookies!

  If you have a favorite trail or story please contact me at Barbara@sdrp.org.   History isn’t always in the books; sometimes it’s in the stories!   Share your history with the San Dieguito River Park.