Black Friday Hike. Santa Margarita River Route

Hike at Santa Margarita River Trails, Fallbrook
9:30 AM, Friday, November 29 2024 (Black Friday)

New Trail head and parking lot: 2477 Willow Glen Rd.
GPS: 33.41355, -117.21358
(Enter the GPS No. in the address line in your cell map)

After Thanksgiving dinners on Thursday, come on out the next day, on Black Friday, for a beautiful hike along the Santa Margarita river just north of Fallbrook town. This is last remaining free-flowing undiverted river left in CA.
The trail is an out and back, about 5 miles round trip for the full length, but you don’t have to walk the whole distance out. You can walk as far as you wish, like 1 or 2 miles, and go back or wait on one of the park benches for us on the return. The trail is a long easy-moderate effort walk. Trail has two hills, little ups & downs, small stream crossing, and flats through woods and open areas all within sight of the river. Dogs on leashes are ok. Portopotty is available at trail head.
Bring: Pocket snack and 1-2L drink bottle, sun hat, layered clothes for warm or chilly, trail shoes, extra money to contribute for carpool gas.

Directions note: We are NOT at Santa Margarita Preserve Park on DeLuz Rd, nor the Santa Margarita River Trails lot on Sandia Creek Dr.

Note about Willow Glen Rd. trailhead parking lot: Willow Glen road is a T-intersection off E. Mission by a brown wooden fenced yard. It’s 1.6 miles from hwy 15. Once you’re on Willow Glen follow the double yellow lines all the way down hill carefully, on the curvy road, to the parking lot. Easy.
Drive from Vista area: (NCC)(~30 minutes) Hwy 76 to S. Mission Rd northbound (S13) towards Fallbrook. Through town S13 will turn right heading east becomes E. Misson Rd. Follow E. Mission 3.4 miles to Willow Glen Rd on the left side, then down to the parking lot.
Alternately; you can go S. Mission to Stage Coach Ln then up to E. Mission then eastwards to Willow Glen Rd.
Or; follow 76 to hwy 15 to E. Mission Rd, 1.6 miles, to Willow Glen Rd on the right.
Drive from Escondido area: (~35 minutes) Take Hwy 15 north. Exit at East Mission Rd towards Fallbrook. Head west, left across bridge over Hwy15 then right, up into Fallbrook 1.6 miles. Turn right, north, onto Willow Glen Rd. Follow to the end.
Carpools?: Escondido area people: Vinnie will have carpool meeting place at the Target store lot, off Valley Parkway and Hwy 15, Escondido, closer to the Starbucks store area. Meet time 8:30 am, leave by 8:40. Willing drivers needed. Text Vinnie to plan the meet.
From Vista area: If there is a volunteer, then at NCC Vista parking lot, west end, kitchen side, meet time 8:40 am leave by 8:50. Text Vinnie if this is your choice and for available drivers.

Contact info: Text/call, Vinnie Rodrig 858-231-7722.