COUNTY TO BUILD LOT FOR HIKERS

$3.5M area to help visitors to Mount Woodson avoid parking along SR 67, which has fast-moving traffic

Hikers who want to pose for a photo perched precariously atop Potato Chip Rock, a popular North County hiking destination, will soon be able to traverse the trail without the added danger of parking along a bustling stretch of state Route 67.

The county Board of Supervisors on Wednesday unanimously approved spending $3.5 million to build a parking lot at the trailhead for Potato Chip Rock and other trails near Mount Woodson, a well-used recreational area between Poway and Ramona.

Construction of the 209-space lot — which should begin this spring and be completed by the end of the year — will resolve a long-standing safety concern by county officials about the dangers posed by cars stopping and parking along the shoulder of a busy highway, and pedestrians darting back and forth across the road.

“This has been a traffic nightmare,” said Supervisor Joel Anderson, acknowledging the work of his predecessor, former Supervisor Dianne Jacob, on addressing the issue. “I think it’s going to save lives.”

In 2019, the county acquired 84 acres of land along the west side of the highway for the project. The parking lot will be built on 9 acres, and the rest of the land will become an open-space preserve for plant and animal species. The parking lot will include 209 total parking spaces, 11 spaces for disabled parking, signage, a solar-powered entry gate, solar-powered lighting, trash and recycling receptacles and space for portable restrooms.

The board’s action Wednesday authorizes county staff to advertise and award a construction contract of $1.5 million for the project, which includes a contingency fund. An additional $2 million covers land acquisition, design, inspections, permitting, monitoring, construction management and project administration.

Estimated annual maintenance costs of $108,000 will be covered by day-use parking fees and the county Parks and Recreation Department budget, according to a staff report.

HOWARD LIPIN PHOTOS FOR THE U-T Pedro Avendano and Arcelia Dominguez, both from Oceanside, walk next to parked vehicles along the shoulder of state Route 67 on their way to the trailhead for Mount Woodson.

A sign points the way to the Mount Woodson trail. The route from the Ramona side of the mountain is quicker and easier.