2006-2007 Orange Book: Internet Directory
Friends of Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve

Friends of Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve

One of the most unique habitats in San Diego County is located right here in Valley Center, and, although you wouldn't guess it from the name, Hellhole Canyon is paradise on earth to people who love the native plants and animals of the region.

Such people are the Friends of Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve, a recently organized group that has been formed to try to save and even expand the County's open space preserve.

Most of the preserve is hot, steep mountain slope, but the habitat includes a year round stream, Hell Creek, chaparral, coastal sage scrub and riparian. The preserve is criss-crossed with challenging hiking and riding trails. The Friends would like to provide less strenuous trails by acquiring some additional property in the canyon itself.

It has some interesting historical features too. The Escondido Canal was built through here in the 1880s, mostly out of dirt and wood. It was replaced with concrete in the just completed century, and takes water from the San Luis Rey River to Lake Henshaw. The abandoned portions of the canal serve as part of the hiking trail at the bottom of the canyon.

"We want to promote solutions that protect the preserve, honor the interests of property owners near the preserve, and that provide the community at large with an improved and expanded preserve," says Chairman Rick Landavazo. He describes the preserve as "rich in natural bio diversity and inspiring in its beauty and restfulness.

According Landavazo, who has been a volunteer docent at the preserve for three years, the group has a mailing list of 70 people. Other organizers include Mike Klingbeil, another volunteer docent, and Kris Preston, an ornithologist and naturalist, who has made the study of the preserve her special project. Currently the group meets quarterly.

For additional information, visit their website at www.hellholecanyon.org.

To join their mailing list, go to groups.yahoo.com/group/hellholecanyon.

Friends of Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve, PO Box 221, Valley Center, CA 92082. Or call (760)749-5320.