The Peak of Social Distancing

We drove down to do another peak, but it was pouring rain there. So we continued to drive to Lake Poway to do the hike to Mt. Woodson. This hike is normally super crowded because you can hike up from the 67 fwy in Ramona also. The main attraction is not the peak of Mt. Woodson, but right below the peak sits Potato Chip Rock.

Last year, it was an hour wait in line. Today because of the social distancing practices taking place and the weather, there were not many on the trail and not many on the peak.

Jeff did a great post about hiking social distancing practices a couple of days ago.  I would like to add the following and call them added items to Leave No Trace principles:

1. Carpool with only immediate family. Meet others at the trailhead.
2. Bring your own food so you do not have to stop at the local places.
3. Like Lake Poway, all campgrounds are shut down, which people think is cool because they don’t have to pay the fees, but know the facilities are not being maintained/cleaned. So the cleanest place for the bathroom is actually on the trail. Bring bathroom and washing items in your pack.

We saw some people on the trail and a couple helped us on the rock. It’s nice to know that hikers remain friendly and don’t use the excuse of social distancing to ignore you on the trail. The weather was mostly clear, with a little afternoon drizzle.