Love Valley

DISTANCE: 2 MILES
TIME: 1-2 HOURS
DIFFICULTY: EASY

Love Valley, located on the east foot of Palomar Mountain near Lake Henshaw, is a secluded meadow paradise. Complete with a rustic barn, rolling green hills, shady oaks, and a small pond (if you visit after a rainy season), this is a great spot for a pleasant picnic away from the fast pace of life.

To reach the trailhead, drive to Lake Henshaw and find East Grade Road on the northwest side of the lake off Highway 76. After 3.3 miles, you will see a turnout on the left with a large Cleveland National Forest sign designating the Love Valley trail. Walk past the gate and follow an unshaded dirt road about a mile down into the valley.

Once you arrive at the Valley, the road forks. If you follow the right fork, you will soon arrive at a rustic barn (actually, "rusty shed" is a better description, but I am trying to keep it romantic), that is more pleasant when viewed from a distance. Near the barn you will find a small trail that follows a tiny stream for some distance.

If you follow the fork on the left, you will head toward the pond, and along the left side of the road you will catch great views of Lake Henshaw, Volcan Mountain, and the valley below. The left fork offers the better picnic spots in my opinion.

I should add one caveat: Be sure your visit does not coincide with turkey hunting season, as ours did, for your peaceful picnic will be shattered by shotgun blasts from nearby hunters, who apparently feel this is one of the better places to find wild turkeys.