Palomar Observatory Trail

Palomar Observatory

Distance: 2.2 miles, point to point Hiking Time: 1 hour Elevation Gain/Loss: 100′/750′ Difficulty: Easy Trail Use: Dogs allowed, good for kids.

Directions: From Highway 76 at the foor of PAlomar Mountain, take either South Grade Road or East Grade Road to where the two meet at a crossroads called Crestline, high atop the mountain. From there, follow Canfield Road north toward Palomar Observatory Campground. The upper trailhead is located at the observatory entrance, where Canfield Road ends.

Staring from the upper trailhead, walk first through a thicket of chaparral, then past pines, oaks, and incense cedars. About half way down, the trail bends around a ravine, alive with the sound of a stream. Soon after, you come to a wooden platform on the left overlooking Mendenghall Valley.

After meandering some more under a leafy canopy, you descend to the east edge of the Observatory Campground.