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Barnett Ranch
By Karen Carlson
 | | Barnett Ranch
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Right here in our very own backyard is the newest Open Space Preserve in Ramona. Barnett Ranch is a small slice of heaven that we can call our very own.
I've been dragging everyone out there to ride, and often go it alone with my equine buddy, Cricket, just to "Hit the Trail." Cricket and I enjoy getting out and exploring trails, and Barnett Ranch offers the comfort and security of being at home and being out on the trail, too!
From the late 1800s until recently, Barnett Ranch was a working ranch that raised cattle and grew field crops. The county acquired the land for inclusion in the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) Subarea Plan, and now the public is welcome to hike, bike, or ride horses along its trails and enjoy the wildlife and scenery preserved in the park. The new preserve encompasses habitats ranging from coastal sage scrub to oak savannah to nonnative grasslands.
Visitors can enjoy the scenic views from the miles of multiple-use, non-motorized trails, and can observe wildlife, including golden eagles, white-tailed kites, coyotes, orange-throated whiptails and the rarely seen ringtail.
 | | Enjoying Barnett Ranch Open Space Preserve are, from left, Shawn and Bob Russell and their daughter Jennifer. |
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The trails are wide and mostly flat, ranch road-type trails. There are two vistas that provide visitors a chance to get a view of the valley that encompasses the 4,000 acres of the Monte Vista Ranch (not open to the public).
The staging area lies at San Vicente Road and Diviney Lane. The entrance is wide, well marked and easy to navigate, but the staging area is small. If your horse trailer is a larger vehicle, practice backing up before you go! It can get crowded, so go early (or late) if you can. Barnett Ranch is open Friday to Monday, from 8 a.m. to sunset. There are no water or restroom facilities at Barnett Ranch, but the ranger is working on getting a water trough to fill for your equine pals.
Barnett Ranch is smaller than many other open space areas at just over 700 acres and approximately four miles of trail (that's eight miles round trip). But for a quick outing, it's well worth the short time to travel there. It's beautiful, quiet, and full of wildlife.
For more information and maps go to: www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/parklist.html#openspace.
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