Barker Spur Trail descends along the old Barker Valley Road for about 2 miles before joining the old Barker Valley Trail. The trail then descends the west side of the drainage and ends in a large meadow on the north side of the west fork of the San Luis Rey River. The trail offers some great views of Dyche, Will, and Mendenhall Valleys. Vegetation along the trail is mostly chaparral, lower in the valley sycamore, black oak, coastal live oak, and cottonwood are found. A spring exists at the riverside of the meadow. The water should be filtered or otherwise treated before use. The meadow area provides good camping. A visitor pass is required for overnight stays in the backcountry. Campfires are not permitted at any time. Other features of interest in the area are a set of falls in the San Luis Rey River canyon to the southeast of the meadow.

Forest maps available at Palomar Ranger District Office located on Black Canyon Road in Ramona.

Directions: From San Diego, CA, Take Interstate 8 east to Highway 67. Travel Hwy. 67 north through Ramona to Santa Ysabel. Turn left on Highway 79 and drive north to Forest Road 9S07 (about 7 miles northwest of Warner Springs). Follow FR 9S07 west to the trailhead.

Elevation: 4,000 feet

Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet

Distance: 3.4 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Visitor Information