For years, we have watched Lake Hodges shrink toward its dam, leaving dry bays, an enormous bathtub ring, high-and-dry boat ramps, and “Forest Hodges” on both sides of I-15. In December 2004, the lake was at only 17% capacity. But now, Lake Hodges has refilled in a month’s time! When the lake is full, it has 1,234 surface acres and 27 miles of shoreline. It will probably overflow for the first time since 1998 before this rainy season is over. In a Union Tribune article dated Dec. 19th, 2004, George Loveland, an assistant city manager in San Diego, said "That's the fastest filling reservoir by natural runoff that we have in our system. So if we had a wet year between now and 2008 that was a gully-washer, it could fill up by itself." Well, no need to wait, George. LAKE HODGES IS BACK!! And thanks to the Emergency Storage Project, we'll probably never see the lake that low again.
This cache commemorates the return of a full Lake Hodges. No puzzles, no intermediate waypoints, no camouflage. Just a nice hike to a spectacular 360 degree view high above the lake. The cache is an ammo box filled with some nice geoswag.
Park on Eucalyptus Ave. and walk up Via Rancho Parkway to the trail head at N33 05.017 W117 06.376. Be sure to pick up the two caches on the south arm of this trail while you’re there. Enjoy the view!
2/7/05 UPDATE. Part of the fun of geocaching is finding the right trail yourself. But judging from the first 10 logs or so, it's not much fun in this case. So...if you want some hints to find the best route to the cache, read the early logs before you go, particularly Gary Samad's. This is an easy hike on the correct trail. (It's also plain as day on the aerials.)