Fans of the popular Potato Chip Rock trail in San Diego's east county, may someday get a parking area away from the busy roadway.
The County Board of Supervisors Wednesday voted to purchase land near the trail that could possibly be used to create a parking area for the thousands of hikers who make their way to the much photographed rock.
The eastern access to Mount Woodson and Potato Chip Rock trail is located in an unincorporated area of Ramona. The actual trail is on property owned and operated by the City of San Diego. Parking has long been an issue because hikers use the shoulder of the busy State Route 67 to park their cars and walk to the trail. The speed limit is marked at 60-mph in that area.
The board approved the purchase of 84 acres of land in the area at a cost of $1.7 million dollars. The county will now move forward with environmental studies and possible designs for an off-road parking area in addition to talks with the City of San Diego. The trail is located on city property.
Photo Credit: M. Ayala