July
September
October
| Just a few short months ago, Jack's Pond Park was one of my favorite spots for hiking. The trail entrance was a mere 5 minute walk from my house... and the twisty trails provided lots of variety, some nice scenery, and a steep hill which afforded a view of much of San Marcos and eastward to Escondido. Here's an aerial map which shows my neighborhood just to the east of the park. | |
July |
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| Here's some pictures of the park taken last July when my family was visiting. | |
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September |
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| Just two months later, I headed up the trail that parallels the lake. Normally, just as you crest this hill, you looked out over a small valley filled with trees and brush... towards my favorite hill in the distance (which is just peeking over the top of the trail in this picture). | |
| This time, the little valley had been destroyed... the bulldozers had been busy! Here's some pictures of the valley, panning from left to right | |
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| Here's some pictures taken from the top of the hill. The first is towards the northwest, the second towards the northeast. Note the gorgeous view of Escondido in the distance. | |
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| The first one here was taken in July from atop the hill. The second one is of the same view in September. The hill in the distance hill been stripped bare. Remarkably, the only part not bulldozed is my favorite little hill. Of course, there is no way to get there anymore without trapsing through the construction zone (which I can only presume will soon be a field of red-tile roofs!). | |
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October |
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| In October, while Pati was visiting, we headed back over to the park to check out the damage. My little hill stands in the distance like an oasis in the desert. | |
| They've started building roads. It's pretty clear now this will be another housing development. This road is heading from the center of the trail area south towards the main trail head (it parallels the ponds, just east of what used to be the main trail towards the valley). It then turns into a little cul-de-sac which looks like it will be right in the back yard of some of my Williamsburg neighbors. | |
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| This picture is looking towards the south, towards the parking lot off of La Moree Rd. There really isn't going to be much left of Jack's Pond Park when they are done. | |
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| I just found this article in the North County Times which explains some of the plans for this area. | |