2003 marked my third year working for the San Dieguito River Park. I started out in 2000 working as a contracted Ranger Aide/ Maintenance worker and progressed to a full time Ranger later that year. As the park continued to grow and purchase the land needed to build the Coast to Crest Trail, we were… Read More »
As the idea of a San Dieguito Regional River Park was gaining speed in 1992 and lands on both ends of the park were being purchased, the reality of what was to unfold started sinking in. The areas around Lake Hodges were regarded as an important link between both the San Dieguito Regional River Park… Read More »
The Cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) has a white eye stripe just behind each eye extending to just before its upper back. Its throat and breast are heavily spotted dark brown and black, and its wings and tail are barred with black, white and brown feathers. Its overall appearance is a creamy colored brown bird with… Read More »
The red-tailed hawk occupies a wide range of habitats and altitudes including deserts, grasslands, coniferous and deciduous forests, agricultural fields, and urban areas. This is the most widespread and familiar large hawk in North America, bulky and broad-winged, designed for effortless soaring. An inhabitant of open country, it is commonly seen perched on roadside poles… Read More »
Senior Park Ranger David Hekel will be hosting an open training for new volunteer mountain bike trail patrol members on Sunday, July 19th, 8-10am, at the Park Headquarters (18372 Sycamore Creek Road, Escondido). If you are interested in attending, please email david@sdrp.org. Over the last two years since the Volunteer MTB Patrol Program was established… Read More »
Senior Park Ranger David Hekel and San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy Conservation Manager Jess Norton teamed up with Pizza Port Solana Beach to brew a special limited edition Coast to Crest Trail Ale using California Sagebrush, which will debut during a “Hoppy Hour” event on Monday, April 27, 5-8pm! If you can’t make it to… Read More »
Senior Park Ranger David Hekel’s latest blog is about how hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians can all share our trails. New brochures are now available at our interpretive kiosks, or you can read his blog here.
David Hekel, a Senior Park Ranger and avid mountain biker, recently completed a bike ride through the entire San Dieguito River Park from Crest to Coast. He follows in the footsteps of former Executive Director, Dick Bobertz, Poway City Councilman, Jim Cunnigham, and San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy Board Member, Bill Simmons, who hiked from… Read More »
