05/06/2026
Beautuful day out at Lake Calavera Preserve….Carlsbad, CA
Lake Calavera Preserve in the Tri-City North County area of Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista is an ecological preserve and home to Calavera Mountain. The word “Calavera” means skull, which probably comes from the unusual shape of the area’s centerpiece, Mount Calavera. The 513-ft. Mount Calavera is not really a mountain at all but rather a 22 million-year-old volcanic plug.
How to get there:
I entered the preserve at the Sky Haven West Trail head, which is actually in Oceanside on the northern edge of the preserve.
From state Route 78, exit at College Boulevard, heading south. Turn left onto Lake Boulevard, then right onto Sky Haven Lane. Sky Haven dead-ends at Azure Ladd Drive; park here on the preserve’s side of the road.
The trail system here is vast and much of it would be classified as easy to moderate.
The trail composition for the most part is hard pcked sand and clay, however their are sections of the trail that get very rocky, washed out and unstable
Any way you go you will have hard time getting lost in the 14 miles of trails in the Preserve.
Today I did 4 miles crossing at the dam from the Skyhaven Trailhead and then up to the summit.
There are 4 trailhead starts at the preserve.
Ps - fair warning. I have no issues with rattlesnakes - this then assures they have no issues with me. If it’s warmer, chances are good to see one of natures beautiful creatures at LCP…Stay on the trail you will be fine.
Hike on - never give up -finish strong
Have fun.
