Hikers can explore Poway’s former ranchlands on this journey through the Goodan Ranch Sycamore Canyon County Preserve.
The 3.6-mile moderate loop follows Martha’s Grove Trail before traveling past the Goodan Ranch Visitor Center and open grasslands. The first 2.25 miles is where this hike shines, with Martha’s Grove Trail featuring diverse views and vegetation as it winds through oak forests and across now-dry creek beds.
The Kumeyaay Nation lived in the area for thousands of years before a small town named Stowe was founded in Sycamore Canyon in the late 1800s. The canyon was also used as a mail route and as a way for residents to travel from Poway to El Cajon, according to Goodan Ranch historical documents.
In 2003, the Cedar fire burned the preserve and much of its structures, including the original ranch house. The Goodan Ranch Visitor Center now sits across the road from the former building.
But that’s not the only history that hikers will find in the preserve. Martha’s Grove Trail is named after Martha Harville, who served as a ranger for the county’s department of Parks and Recreation from 1978 until she passed away from melanoma in 1988 at the age of 31. The trail features an informational placard about Harville, as well as a memorial oak grove named in her honor.
To begin this hike, park at the Goodan Staging Area and Entrance at the end of Sycamore Canyon Road in Poway. There is a designated parking lot and a public restroom at the trailhead.
!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
Martha’s Grove Trail begins on the lefthand side of the parking lot behind the informational kiosk. There is a small sign marking the trail. Note that this is a one-way trail, so you can only complete this loop going clockwise.
The trail travels along a ridge overlooking Goodan Ranch to the south before descending a hillside, facing east. It’s rocky and steep at times, so use caution and be sure to wear hiking shoes with traction.
As hikers descend, laurel sumac, willows and sycamore trees provide shade — a welcome respite since most of this hike is exposed to the sun. The Martha Harville Memorial Oak Grove is located about half a mile down the trail.
After walking about 1.6 miles, hikers will reach an intersection with a trail that connects to both the Goodan Ranch Staging Area — where you started — and the Highway 67 Staging Area to the east, both of which are marked on a sign with directional arrows.
But hikers should stay straight on the trail, following the sign pointing toward Martha’s Grove Trail to Windmill. The trail continues for another 0.2 miles before hikers reach the windmill and a bench underneath it.
The rest of the hike — about 2 miles — continues north on a gravel service road, which is admittedly a bit monotonous. However, along the way, hikers will pass the Goodan Ranch Visitor Center. Plus, there is some antique farming equipment featured along the trail that nods to the area’s history.
