French Valley Palomar Mountain

October 26, ride will be at French Valley.
Directions:
From Santa Ysabel go north on Highway 79.
Go about 6.5 miles and turn left on Highway76
Go about 4.5 miles and turn right on E.Grade Rd.
Go to the top of the mountain.
Drive past the fire station and merge onto Canfield Road.
Follow the signs to Palomar Observatory.
Go to mile marker 51. Start looking for a large yellow sign that reads NOTICE NO ENTERING PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Just past this sign on the left is the entrance to the ranch. It is a large metal gate.
Drive in on a dirt road about 1 mile. Staging area is on the right.
MAKE SURE TO CLOSE THE GATE DUE TO CATTLE ON THE PROPERTY.

French Valley, Mount Palomar history
French Valley, located on the slopes of Mount Palomar, has a rich history that dates back to the Spanish era. The area was known for its seasonal villages, where native Americans hunted game and gathered acorns and other seed crops. The village sites and temporary camps were identified within the present-day Palomar Mountain State Park. The area around Boucher Lookout was called T’ai, and other areas were known as Chakuli, Malava, and Ashachakwo. These areas were used for hunting and gathering during the summer and early autumn. The main native village at the foot of the mountain was called Pauma, with sturdy conical houses made of pine poles covered with bark. The indigenous people referred to the mountainous area as Wavamai, and the Spanish named it Palomar, or “place of the pigeons,” due to the thousands of bandtailed pigeons nesting in the area.