Bernardo Mountain
- At 1000 feet in elevation, Bernardo Mountain is the most prominent feature west of I-15 on the northern shore of Lake Hodges
- Rich in coastal sage scrub habitat, rare species and cultural resources, the property was already approved for a residential development of more than 50 houses when the Conservancy, and its partners, purchased it
- The Conservancy, with strong neighborhood and city-wide citizen-donor support, raised $625,000 in the two-months to complete the $4.1 million purchase
- Bernardo Mountain is being managed as part of the San Dieguito River Park and has a trail to the summit – with panoramic views – that is open for hiking, biking and equestrian use
- Prominent undeveloped (without a building, without a light at night) “hill” just east of I-15 on north shore of Lake Hodges between Rancho Bernardo and Escondido
- Entire undeveloped portion of the mountain is in protected ownership – 232 acres purchased by the Conservancy & River Park and the land on the western slope provided as mitigation for an earlier widening of I-5
- Access is from the North Lake Hodges segment of the Coast-to-Crest Trail
- Trail up Bernardo Mountain can be reached off the Coast-to-Crest Trail from staging areas at Sikes Adobe east of I-15 off Via Rancho Parkway or eastward from the staging area near the Lake Hodges boat ramp, off Lake Drive
- Major portions of the property are not accessible because they are protected habitat mitigation – but there is an interesting, winding trail segment along the east and north slopes to the top
- There is no pubic access from the residential areas to the north and northwest of the mountain
- Prominent scenic feature helping preserve the natural open space nature of Lake Hodges
- One of largest remaining populations of endangered California gnatcatchers; important nesting area for threatened cactus wrens; major patch of coastal sage scrub
- Rare plants on the north slope including a protected – but viewable – rare ceanothus “tunnel”
- Great family trail – for family hiking, biking or horseback riding – with rewarding views from the up-and-back trail to the summit
- Views up-river to Volcan Mountain and west and south across Lake Hodges
- Conservancy and River Park partnered to purchase the property
- Raised $625,000 from the community – within the 2-month deadline to complete the $4.1 million purchase
- Neighboring communities led the way in supporting the purchase – with strong city-wide support
- City of Escondido assigned major state grant to the project and The Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land provided loans (now paid-off) for the purchase
- Managed by River Park staff as part of the San Dieguito River Park
- The sale of mitigation credits on Bernardo Mountain by the Conservancy has generated funds for additional purchases within the River Park
- Work is underway just east of Bernardo mountain for a pedestrian (walking and biking) bridge across Lake Hodges connecting to Piedas Pintadas along West Bernardo Road
