Blue Sky Reserve to Ramona Dam

Google Earth: Blue Sky Reserve to Ramona Dam

Distance: 5.29 miles. Elevation Gain: 818 feet. Time to Complete: 1.5 -2 hours. Level: Easy to Medium Intensity

Directions: The easiest way to get to the start of this hike would be to head to the 15 freeway, north or south, but you want to get to the Rancho Bernardo Road Exit and take Rancho Bernardo Road east. Rancho Bernardo Road will turn into Espola road as it cross’s Pomerado Road, but don’t worry just keep on the same road. Espola will keep heading east and then hit a right bend, right after the bend in the road you should see the entrance for the Blue Sky Reserve on your left hand side. Blue Sky Reserve Trailhead

Is this a kid friendly hike: Yes this hike is kid friendly. There are bathrooms near the trailhead and there are also bathrooms along the main trail as it goes through the oaks ( Green valley Truck Trail) and the Poway Lake Trail. The first 1.5 miles of trail winds its way through the oaks and is pretty easy before it starts making its way up towards the Ramona Dam.

Equipment you will need. This is not a really hard hike, running shoes would do you fine on this hike, although I always recommend a good pair of hiking boots and wool socks over running shoes for a hike any day. Also make sure to bring water with you. This area can get really hot once you make your way out of the shade of the oak trees and up towards the dam.

Starting down the road and main trail ( Green Valley Truck Trail) for Blue Sky.

Once you have made your way to the trailhead for Blue Sky Reserve. Head to the south end of the parking lot and that is where the trail starts. Head down the road onto the dirt service road ( Green Valley Truck Trail). Pretty soon the road starts to make its way under the oak tree canopy as it winds its way through the Blue Sky Reserve.

Heading through the oak tree canopy on the Blue Sky Reserve

About 1/4 a mile into the hike you will come across the Creekside Trail ( although I have yet to ever see a creek running here). This trail is a nice alternative to the road. at least for little bit, it reconnects with the main road at about 6/10 of a mile. Be careful as you make your way through this area, there is a lot of poison oak around here.

Creekside trail in the Blue Sky Reserve

After connecting back up with the main trail you will continue on winding your way through the oaks before you come to the first trail junction. This junction is about a mile into the hike and connects with the Lake Poway Recreation area and the Mt Woodson Trail.

The trail junction with the Green Valley Truck Trail (Blue Sky Reserve) and the Lake Poway Recreation Area.

As you continue on the main trail past the junction you will pass by the outdoor classroom, which consists of 4 picnic tables and a bathroom. At about 1.25 miles into the hike you will reach the end of the trees and start making your way up the road towards the Ramona Dam.

The road winding its way up from Blue Sky Reserve towards the Ramona Dam.

I’ve hiked up Mt Woodson so many times it was nice to get a different perspective on the mountain. As you make your way up the road the northern side of Mt Woodson starts to make its presence known. You can see the terraced mountain side where it looks like there used to be some avocado groves.

A closer look at the terraced mountain side and Mt Woodson looming in the back ground.

1.25 miles later or about 2.5 miles into the hike you will make it to the top of the Ramona Dam, heading up the steep road reminded me of the eastern side going up Mt Woodson. This is a great place to take in the view and if you are more adventurous you can keep following the Green Valley Truck Trail around the northern side of the Dam.

A closer look at Ramona Dam

Feeling a little more adventurous I made may around the towards the northern side of the dam because I wanted to see if there was a way to get up on the first hill side and get a better view of the area. Sure enough I found what looked like a old service road going up the side of the hill and decided to follow it to its end over looking the northern side of the dam.

Old service road making its way up the side of the first hill on the northern side of the dam.

Once you are up there you can do some bushwhacking and keep making your way towards the top. Eventually if you keep looking to get to the top you will see a rock with a old white X painted on top of it. Tucked behind this rock is a Geocache box if you feel so inclined to sign the register.

Geocache spot near Ramona Dam.

This is a good spot to sit, take in the view and have something to munch on before making your way back down to the dam and back down the road.

Looking down at the Ramona Dam with Mt Woodson and Lake Poway in the background.

I thought I had some snake tracks in the dirt road on the way up, but I thought naw, that’s to big for a snake. I was not disappointed when on my way down some guy warned me about the big rattle snake on the side of the road just ahead. By the time I had gotten to that area the 4-5 foot long rattle snake was making his way across the road. I’m not stupid and I didn’t want to mess with that big old boy, but he was slowly making his way across the road and I wanted a better picture so I got within about 10 -15 feet of him taking some pictures with out bothering him. It wasn’t until I bent down to get a better angle on him that he seemed to be upset that he couldn’t see me anymore and coiled up a little. A good sign to back off and let him be. Keep your eyes open for these snakes while hiking. I have yet to every hear one rattle, so keep your eyes open not just your ears.