

At several points along the trail, you will also see signs that warn about the high risk of being eaten by ticks. These rocks make climbing difficult for the inexperienced or the weak. Along the way, you will pass many large rocks broken off from the main trail. Some sections of the trail are level while other portions are inclined.

The lone elk park trail is quite difficult due to its winding nature. Backtracking about one mile, the trail reaches an access road leading to a parking lot where there are restrooms, fire rings, and picnic areas. The trail continues to make several turns and returns to the forested hills of Lone Elk National Wildflower Center on the west side of the trail. The trail proceeds west towards the La Jolla Cove Trail and eventually makes a turn to follow the San Diego Bay. To gain access to the lone elk park, one would need to follow a trail from the west entrance of the park, which starts at the La Jolla Cove Entrance on the south. This is in direct violation of both state and federal laws. It is illegal to use an automatic or semi-automatic gun to hunt. Hunters are required to kill the animals using a bullet or shotgun. Hunting is regulated by federal law, meaning hunters must be licensed or be Otherwise lawfully permitted to hunt. The lone elk park has some of the best opportunities for hunting available in the state. The herd has moved into the valley to mate and produce young. The reason for the closure is the presence of mature male elk that have been given birth. The reason for the closure is to reduce over population of deer in the area, which causes damage to the grass, trees and vegetation, in addition to creating the risk of injury to wildlife and people. The approximate date of closure is May 15th every year. Hikers and hunters should be aware of a closure date due to deer movement in and around the park. This route allows hikers to return to the parking lot and take their vehicles out. At this point, the trail goes back on a path along the right side of the valley. At this point, the trail turns right and leads hikers to a viewing platform for an overlook of the park and river valley. The trail starts with a challenging ascend toward the top of the climb, then it becomes gentle as it makes its way down to a panoramic valley. The trail is approximately two miles long, straight through the middle of the park, leading hikers to the lone elk park’s entrance. Other activities at the park include horseback riding, hiking, boating, tennis, hiking, bicycling, fishing, golfing and camping. There is also a gift shop that offers coffee, tea and snack bars. The park has a gift shop where one can purchase gift baskets containing items such as coffee mugs, coffee grinders, flavored gels, tea, hot chocolate mix, doughnuts, cookies, candy and specialty coffee. Lone Elk Park is an 18-hole public golf course that offers scenic views of the North American landscape.
