Читать книгу 50 Best Short Hikes: San Diego - Jerry Schad - Страница 23

Trailhead Location: South Carlsbad, just inland from the coast

Trail Use: Hiking, running, dog walking

Distance & Configuration: 2.8-mile out-and-back

Elevation Range: Basically flat, just above sea level

Facilities: Water and restrooms at the start; the nature center at the trailhead is open daily, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Highlights: Fresh coastal breezes and one of the best bird-watching opportunities in San Diego County. Bring binoculars!

DESCRIPTION

Just beyond the placid north shoreline of Batiquitos Lagoon, white flecks of shell glint in the sunlight where the land begins to rise. Centuries ago, American Indians of this region gathered and consumed shellfish here. As generations of natives discarded the shell remains over thousands of years, their middens (refuse piles) grew in size and extent. Keep a sharp eye out, and you may see evidence of those middens today.

The Batiquitos Lagoon of prehistoric and early historic times lived up to its lagoon designation. Seawater surged in and out on the tides, alternately bathing and uncovering the low-lying, salt-tolerant vegetation, referred to as salt marsh habitat, an ecosystem of salt-tolerant vegetation increasingly threatened by coastal development throughout Southern California. In the 20th century, however, vast loads of soil loosened by agricultural activity and urban development on the lagoon’s watersheds were flushed downstream during winter floods. Much of this silt dropped out of suspension near the lagoon’s mouth, forming a plug that interfered with normal tidal flows. As a result, Batiquitos Lagoon lost its permanent connection to the ocean and became a stagnating, freshwater lake.

In a giant leap backward, or forward as the case may be, a massive dredging and lagoon restoration project in the 1990s converted the body of water back into a functioning estuary. Millions of cubic yards of sand were dredged from the lagoon’s bottom and entrance channel and deposited on nearby beaches or piled up along the lagoon shoreline to provide nesting sites for least terns and western snowy plovers.

Two hikers on Batiquitos Lagoon Trail

Today, you may meander along a delightful trail on the restored lagoon’s north shoreline. For the best bird-watching results, arrive here during early morning or late afternoon, when resident shorebirds and migrating visitors are most active. This also makes a good spot to cool off during one of San Diego’s rare summer or autumn heat waves, when temperatures can reach into the 90s.

THE ROUTE

Starting from the Gabbiano Lane trailhead, head eastward on the main trail. The nearly level pathway curls along the lagoon’s north shore, where colorful interpretive panels provide informative background on local flora and fauna. Traffic noise from I-5, annoying at first, fades as you continue east and pass several small eucalyptus coppices. An iron fence separates a perfectly manicured golf course and upscale housing on your left from the wild assortment of native sage scrub vegetation and nonnative palms, eucalyptus, mustard, and fennel on the shoreline strip you’re walking through. (Along the route four side trails lead north to small parking lots along Batiquitos Drive.)

At a point 1.4 miles from the start, the shoreline trail pulls left and goes under dense eucalyptus foliage. This is a fine resting or picnic spot, and also a good place to turn around and return to the trailhead.

TO THE TRAILHEAD

GPS Coordinates: N33º 5.617' W117º 18.077'

Exit I-5 at Poinsettia Lane (Exit 45) in Carlsbad. Proceed east on Poinsettia 0.3 mile, and turn right on Batiquitos Drive. Continue 0.5 mile, and turn right on Gabbiano Lane, which leads directly to the Batiquitos Lagoon parking lot, nature center, and trailhead.