backcountry

EAST SAN DIEGO COUNTY: BACKCOUNTRY TRAVELS FOR SUMMER

By Rebecca Person

Photo:  Farmstand in Jacumba Hot Springs

July 13, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- The backcountry of San Diego, though seemingly quiet,  is  alive with opportunities for adventure and local events.

Aside from the lure of the open road on one of San Diego’s most scenic highways, oak-and -boulder-studded Old Highway 80, or via beautiful CA-79,  there are barbecues, fairs, country markets, art and music shows, occasional farm stands, lakes, yard sales, horseback riding and the like tucked into the breathtaking scenery along the route. 

San Diego’s backcountry offers unforgettable AirBnb experiences in the rural towns of Campo, Boulevard, Guatay, Descanso, Julian, Pine Valley and Jacumba Hot Springs. 


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SUPERVISORS ADD BACKCOUNTRY WATER SOURCES FOR FIREFIGHTING

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 28, 2022 (San Diego) - The Board of Supervisors today approved additional water tanks and backcountry helicopter hydrants to give firefighting helicopters more water sources during wildland firefighting.


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VALLEY CENTER’S TRIBAL CASINO RESORTS: GETAWAY RETREATS IN SAN DIEGO’S NORTHEAST COUNTY

 

Our guide to unique lodging and adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2018 (Valley Center) – Tucked into the largely rural Valley Center area of northeast San Diego County are two tribal-owned casino resorts on Native American reservations: Harrah’s Resort and Valley View Casino and Hotel.


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COUNTY SEEKS COMMUNITY INPUT TO IMPROVE AMBULANCE SERVICES IN BACKCOUNTRY

 

The County of San Diego is studying how to improve access to and quality of emergency medical services provided in San Diego County’s backcountry, which includes rural and desert communities.


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ROADS CLOSED IN THE BACK COUNTRY

 

By Nadin Abbott

September 16, 2014 (East County) - San Diego has many rural roads, many of them maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) maintains other roads.


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COMMUNITY RAISES CONCERNS OVER ALCOHOL PROBLEMS IN THE BACKCOUNTRY

January 26, 2013 (Campo) -- Underage drinkers, empty lots littered with empty beer bottles and irresponsible alcohol retailers have residents speaking out after a recent community meeting to voice their concerns about youth access to alcohol in Back Country areas.

Boulevard resident Tammy Daubach said she noticed teens drinking in the empty lot near her home in Boulevard. She explained kids frequent the empty lot to ride their BMX bikes on the dirt tracks. “When the kids need to fill their motor bikes at the gas station nearby, they gas up and get their stuff. You constantly see the trash back there. We’ll go out with bags to pick it all up and find chips and wine coolers and little liquor bottles, all of that.”


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SUPERVISOR JACOB ADVISES TAXPAYERS TO PROTEST FIRE FEE

By Bill Weaver
 
November 17, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –Supervisor Dianne Jacob has issued a statement urging backcountry residents who oppose the state fire tax fee to take the following steps to protect their rights in the event that litigation ultimately overturns the fees.  While some support the fees as a means to fund firefighting services by Cal Fire during fiscally challenging times for the state, Jacob contends the tax places an unfair burden on rural residents.
 
"County Supervisor Dianne Jacob advises residents in her district to pay a new state fire tax now being levied on tens of thousands of local homeowners, but to do it under protest.


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ANOTHER WIND TURBINE FIRE –THIS TIME, IN TEHACHAPI

 
By Miriam Raftery
Photos by Donna Moran
 
August 2, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – For the second time this summer, an industrial wind turbine sparked a grass fire in Southern California. On Friday night, July 27, a large wind turbine burst into flame in the Tehachapi are above the Mohave Desert. In June, as ECM previously reported, a wind turbine fire in the Whitewater area of Riverside County spread into a wildland fire that charred 367 acres and forced evacuation of homes.

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HIKING AND CAVING SAFETY TIPS FROM THE SAN DIEGO SHERIFF

 

May, 2012 (San Diego County) -- In light of recent rescues in the backcountry, the Sheriff's Department is reminding the public to be safe and prepared for caving or hiking.
Cave hiking can be challenging and require technical skills of varying levels. Caves are dark, muddy, rocky and at times quite wet. People can become easily disoriented once deep inside. Caves are an easy place to get hurt, and no one will know if you're trapped if no one knows you're there.

 


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JACUMBA’S FIRST “BLUES FEST” OFFERS FREE FAMILY FRIENDLY FUN MAY 12

 

May 1, 2012 (Jacumba)-- The Jacumba community will be “jammin and wailin” on Saturday May 12th as the Jacumba Arts Council presents their first “Spring Blues Fest” at the Highland Center on old Highway 80. “People have been very enthusiastic about the event,” says Celia Sigmon, President of Jacumba Arts Council. “There have been some wonderful changes happening in Jacumba so we wanted to celebrate with the community and fellow music lovers. We also feel that the arts, especially music, should be available to all. This is why we are putting on a free event that is suitable for families. Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy our scenic backcountry location!”
 
Lots of local and not so local artists will be there. There will be pulled- pork sandwiches, hot dogs, water and soft drinks available at the center. The Jacumba Women’s Club will have delicious baked goods available for sale. A raffle is planned with a Fender guitar and amp as the grand prize.
 
“We are particularly excited about the variety and talent of the musicians who will be appearing,” enthuses Joe Marshall, Event Coordinator and one of the featured performers. “BC Blues is a real get back together performance by seasoned music professionals. Its members are: Sam Cannon, Allan B3 Carrol on one of his Hammond Organs, Bob Horne, Bruce Craw, Danny Berg and Majid Rahmen from Imperial Valley.  Alex Gomez and the Gomez Blues Project will also appear. This is a fine blues group from San Diego with quite a following. Members are Alex Gomez on lead vocals and guitar, Gregg Miller on vocals and drums and others. Don Belter will also play. He is a blues artist from San Diego and formally a member of the Pine Valley Posse. Singer-songwriter Michael Seth Smith will be there from Boulevard. He has some great sounds!”
 
Joe’s group, One Way Out, will also play.  One Way Out is another great blues group that has been retired for some time but is getting back together for this event. Its members are JoeMama on the Harp, Wild Willie on Vocals, Mark the Shark on lead guitar, Rockin Raul on the Bass and Wonderful Ernie on the Drums.
 
Blues Fest Schedule for May 12
Bill Moffet and the Ghostriders Noon – 12:30
Mike Smith 12:45p – 1:15p
One Way Out 1:45p – 2:30p
Don Belter 2:45 –3:15p
Alex Gomez Blues Project 3:15pm – 4p
BC Blues 4:15p – 5:30p
Monster Jam (all players) 6pm - ?
 
The Jacumba Arts Council (JAC) is a non-profit organization (501C3 status) located in the high desert community of Jacumba, 70 miles East of San Diego and 50 Miles West of El Centro.
 
visit the web-site (www.jacumbaartscouncil.org). 

 

 


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PASSAGES: DESTINY PIERCE, 3, CHILD WHO DEFIED THE ODDS

 
April 1, 2012 (Jacumba) – “Little Destiny Pierce of Jacumba lost her last battle of life on March 27, 2012 at 11:18 p.m.,” Lorrie Ostrander, who had helped organize a fundraising drive to help the Pierce family, informed East County Magazine.  

 


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