GOSD Membership Campout!
Laguna Mountains: Horse Heaven Campground
Description
Contrary to its name, Horse Heaven Group Campground has no equestrian sites. Instead, this tent-only facility can accommodate group gatherings. It provides a great mountain getaway for city dwellers to relax and enjoy cool summer temperatures, hiking and other outdoor recreation, just one hour east of San Diego.
Facilities
This site offers three areas for group gatherings: Lupine Loop can accommodate 40 people and 10 vehicles; The facility is equipped with vault toilets and drinking water. A general store is located 2.3 miles away at Mt. Laguna and Pine Valley. Opening and closing times can vary for these two locations.
Natural Features
The campground sits at an elevation of 6,000 ft. in the Laguna Mountains. It is forested with pines and oaks that provide plenty of shade, in addition to a meadow. The area is home to many species of birds, as well as the endangered Laguna Skipper butterfly. Little Laguna lake is located just a short distance from the campground and is an excellent hiking destination for photographers and visitors looking to explore the area.
Recreation
The Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is known for great horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking trails. Visitors can get their boots dusty on the Laguna Meadow Trail system or access a segment of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from California to the State of Washington. Wildflowers are usually abundant in April and May on the Big Laguna Trail, which takes visitors past Big Laguna Lake. In wet years there is water in Big Laguna Lake by December or January and ducks and other birds can be found. The trail presents a number of options to the user. A return to the trailhead parking can be made by cutting through the Laguna Campground or by taking the Pacific Crest Trail north. Families can learn about the area's flora and fauna by attending educational programs at the facility's amphitheater. Or for history buffs, the El Prado Cabin located at nearby El Prado Campground, is the first ranger cabin built in the Cleveland National Forest in 1911. The San Diego State University Observatory also sponsors "Star Parties" for campers most Saturday evenings during the summer (schedule can be obtained at the nearby visitor center or by calling 619-473-8547).
Horse Heaven can be reached by taking Sunrise Highway (S1) from the I-8 freeway. Go up through the mountain. After you pass the lodge (Note this is a 40MPH section), you will reach this sign shown in the first photo above. I’ve provided a short video above that describes what to look out for. The section past the sign will be narrow. Keep to your left when driving on the narrow section.
GPS coords: https://maps.app.goo.gl/V8mY99mQxaiRusR2A
Parking - Parking at Horse Heaven.
For non-overnight campers: Please do not park in the first 10 spots if you are only planning to day hike. Keep these spots reserved for campers only.
Sunrise Mt Laguna: 6:05AM Sunset Mt Laguna: 7:37.
Horse Heaven group campsite has been reserved for us from Thursday, August 21 at 2:00PM to Sunday, August 24 at 11:00AM. Everyone must vacate the campground before 11:00AM and take everything that was brought in.
A sign-in form will be on the table in the campground. Please write your name on the paper and write when you leave/enter the campground. This just assures me that nobody is lost.
Please check the hikes here and sign up for any that interest you. The Laguna lake hike does not require a signup
I’ve provided photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/EoxPJcXvQSjyK8UP7 of sections of the campsite and a couple of videos. When I was up there (Jul 1), temps were mild, there was toilet paper, two toilets, and running clean water.
Potluck (including ideas)
Bring any breakfast or dinner idea for the potluck. Simple ideas could include chopped bananas with toothpicks, a box of energy bars, or sandwiches, etc. Also, bringing bowls and spoons would be really helpful.
For the potluck, make something that you enjoy and make it fun — Surprise us. Feel free to use Facebook to coordinate with others or share photos. Try to limit foods high in processed sugars unless you're planning to make one yourself.
We’ll have an ice chest available for the group, and a pop-up tent. If you can lend a hand Sunday and help me pack these up and load them into the Subaru Outback, that would be much appreciated!
Main hike - Mount Laguna Lakes
Our main hike will be the Mount Laguna Lakes, located within walking distance of the campground, and passes through the El Prado campsite. This will be an out and back 2.5mi hike. Along the way, you’ll see lakes, some ducks, and other local wildlife. Feel free to take photos and share them and your experience on the greatoutdoors facebook page. There is cell service in this area. This link contains Photos of a previous hike
Camp leader - Jeremiah O’Neal
Please feel free to reach out to me. I will have my cell on me throughout the weekend and you’re more than welcome to text me (619)788-9407. Also, feel free to email me at [email protected] or reach out to me on Facebook Messenger if you have any questions or concerns.
Supplies (What to bring)
This will be a checklist. Please feel free to print this up and check through it. Not everything will be
listed, however, some important items will.
● Tent
● Sleeping bag
● Warm long-sleeve/pants clothes
● Cool clothing
● Camp chair
● A mug - If coffee is provided. I’ll let you know
● Plates (Unless someone can provide plates)
● Hiking shoes
● Suntan lotion
● A water bottle
● A USB battery pack and your phone for photos, etc.
● Matches (if you plan to cook anything)
Weekend Schedule
Thursday, August 21
2:00 PM Arrival - Tent setup. Keep paths to restrooms, water, and the bonfire open and place tents left of the road. Anywhere on that side of the road will work.
6:00 PM Evening Meet & Greet
7:00 PM Evening Group Dinner and Bonfire
Friday, August 22
8:00AM- Coffee/Breakfast (on own) - I’ll see if a coffee pot is available
8:30AM Hike: Big Laguna lake
Anytime Lunch (on own)
Around 6:45PM - Evening Potluck
Along with potluck or after Storytelling/Bonfire/Other fun activities
Saturday, August 23
Morning Coffee/Breakfast - I’ll see if I can get a coffee pot going
8AM - 24 bagels & cream cheese.
Hike: 9AM - 5 mile loop hike (Registration link: https://greatoutdoors.org/event-6291609)
Afternoon Lunch (bring your own food) At the campsite with hikers who are not camping.
5:30PM Hike: Big Laguna lake
Evening Group Dinner (bring own)
Along with dinner, Storytelling/Bonfire
Sunday, August 24
Morning: Please, if you can help take down everything and put it in my car. It’s the Subaru Outback.
11:00 AM Must Leave Camp
Health Problems/Allergies: Discuss any medical concerns with the trip leader that may affect your ability to complete the event.
GOING GREEN! Please bring your own plates, cups, mugs, eating utensils, napkins, paper towels, camp soap, etc. There are water spigots located in the camp or in the nearby restroom for washing dishes.
Great Outdoors San Diego EDI Statement
Great Outdoors San Diego and our members enjoy the privilege of using the outdoors for recreation. We strive to include more of our community, especially those historically not included. Please encourage your friends, neighbors, and community members to come out and join us! If something is holding them back, please contact GOSD to explore accommodations including equipment available for lend or sponsorships for events.
