A little known chapter of California history is commemorated in a rural, pastoral, serene San Diego County valley. The place is the San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park which marks the site and events in the Mexican-American war which decided who would rule California.
It all took place on December 6, 1846 when General Stephen Kearny was leading a force of the U.S. Army from Missouri to San Diego. This force of approximately 120 men was intercepted by a smaller force of Californios led by General Andres Pico.
In this battle the Americans, worn out from their long trek across the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona, were defeated by the Mexicans.
With superior horses, the Americans were mostly mounted on mules, the Californios used their horsemanship and lances with deadly effect. The Americans suffered 35 dead and wounded and became besieged on Mule Hill.
Only the courage and wilderness skills of Kit Carson and Army Lieutenant Edward Beale saved them from total disaster. Slipping out at night they skillfully evaded Mexican sentries.
They made their way to San Diego Bay and signaled U. S. Navy ships moored in the harbor. Navy Commodore Robert Stockton then mounted a force to save those under siege on Mule Hill. Later the combined American force went on to win the battle of San Gabriel on January 8 and 9, 1847
Today San Pasqual Historic Park offers exhibits and programs at its Visitor Center. The park also offers hiking and nature trails as well as a picnic area with tables, rest rooms and drinking water. Every December volunteers perform a reenactment of the Battle of San Pasqual.
We visited the Park on a blustery winter day with a chill wind and forbidding storm clouds. Much like conditions faced by the American and Californio forces that December day so long ago.
The Park and Visitor Center is only open on weekends. It is located eight miles south of Escondido on Highway 78, just a couple of miles from the San Diego Wild Animal Park. The address is 15808 San Pasqual Road, Escondido. Weekend hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 760 737-2201 for more information and on the web at www.parks,ca.gov/
I was planning to picnic at the San Pasqual Park but the weather said no. Instead I proceeded east on Highway 78 and checked out two hiking trailheads These trails, through the chaparral covered mountains typical of east San Diego County terrain, are part of San Dieguito River Park, administrated jointly by San Diego City and County. This park offers 55 miles of trails from Volcan Mountain, near Julian, to Del Mar at the ocean.
The two hiking trailheads off Highway 78 are called the Clevenger Canyon trail. They are will marked and offer off highway parking. The south trail takes one to Mule Hill and San Pasqual Valley. The north trail to Bandy Canyon. Check out San Dieguito River Park at www.sdrp.org.
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