I was in the passenger seat of a van trekking up from the fertile farm valleys of Fallbrook into Palomar Mountain. It’s a stark contrast from rows of orange and avocado trees into an ancient landscape of chaparral. Unlike other hiking trails in San Diego, I was honestly surprised by the sheer amount of biodiversity on the drive up to this mountain which was dense with several species of sages, flowers, yuccas, and other chaparral plants. Eventually the landscape changed to dense forest of large gnarly oak trees, many very thick and twisted from age.
I’ve heard that this mountain was sacred, but the drive up to the mountain was an incredible impression on what they mean.
From a naturalist point of view who regularly hikes around San Diego, I was impressed by the landscape because most places only have a handful of species that thrive in that area in pockets (Example: like groups of manzanita, groups of sage, and yucca). But Palomar Mountain had sages growing over yucca, chamise hugging manzanita, not isolated in groups, with a brilliance of color and smells as you drive up.
From a spiritual standpoint, I could feel so much life thriving.
Once on Harrison Serenity Ranch, I really felt the vibration of ancient land echoing through oak trees so thick my heart tinged in awe. If there were more oak trees this thick, large, and old, then most of them were burned in the large Cedar Fire, which took out many of San Diego’s sacred and natural ecosystems. The fire did rage on Palomar Mountain, but this place was somehow protected and untouched.
The first oak grove I found myself sitting under had rocks scattered about. The keeper of this land educated me about this historical site and pointed out rocks with holes and the original grinders used by the Kumeyaay to grind up acorn and local edibles in this very spot.
Piecing together history, I recently attended a talk and book signing from author, Michael Wilken-Robertson, and learned about Kumeyaay edibles and use of native plants. I was taught how for thousands of years the native peoples hunted and gathered the land, exploiting the extreme biodiversity throughout the year. In the winter, they would gather shells and seafood by the coast, and would migrate up to the mountains in the summer. Tribes from the desert floor and further east would trade and gather under the large oak trees in the mountains. Archaeologists are still figuring out how this lifeline worked, some have even found shells traded by the Kumeyaay in ancient Midwestern sites, as they were considered precious.
Harrison Serenity Ranch was originally built and founded by California’s first black settler, Nate Harrison, who was successful in his time establishing trade. The drive up made me wonder how people came across his ranch, since it was quite the journey even in a modern day vehicle, but it makes sense with the ancient trade routes that were already established.
As we gather this June for Sacred Flame Solstice Celebration, remember that this land is not only beautiful and a perfect place to commune with nature, but has always been a place where ancient people decided to do so. That the very land you walk on was been a place of refuge and community rooted in native Kumeyaay tradition.
About the Blogger: Elura is an artist painter and graphic designer in San Diego. She enjoys many art forms such as dance, singing, and music and has studied the arts for 14 years. She took a special interest in nature and holistic healing on her own personal journey, and is avid on creating sacred spaces.