Trailhead with the beautiful artwork of James Hubbell

Weather was a bit warm as we didnt start till 8:45am.  Official trailhead is up a dirt road .1 mile to the beautiful entry by James Hubbell, an international artist from Julian.  There’s a portapotty at the start as well as a compass on the ground around the corner from the bathroom also designed by Hubbell.

Our group took the main trail to the summit and the Five Oaks Trail down.  Normally, when I do this hike on my own, I hike both ways on the Five Oaks Trail as it’s so pretty.

It’s a steady climb up the dirt road with a few benches along the way to sit and enjoy the view.  Many hawks graced the sky and some came quite low.

Once you spot the summit, you will be on a wide dirt path all the way to the top.  There’s the remains of a cabin that was used to house scientists who were trying to determine where a Hale Telescope was going to reside.  (Palomar was selected.)   This stretch can be very windy.

You can see Banner Grade to your right and the Anza-Borrego desert to your left.

When you get close to the top, stay straight.  The grasses were taller than I have ever seen when I’ve been here!  Go to the picnic table by the tower.  Go into the slightly wooded on the other side of the cement pad and you’ll find the survey market in the top of a rock.

There is also lovely bench which overlooks Banner Grade on the other side of the trail.   Continue hiking around the circle and you’ll see a small bench also created by James Hubbell on your left.  The bench is to honor the founder of the Volcan Mtn Foundation.   You are now back on the windy main trail   About a mile or so down, you’ll see the signpost for Five Oaks Trail.  Take that to the Main Trail to your left and back to the start.

You can take Farmers Rd. into Julian for pie! or take the newly paved Wynola Rd back to Dudley’s in Santa Ysabel for a delicious sandwich and pastry!