The most remote area for horse camping in San Diego County is the Hauser Canyon Wilderness Area. It is located in the very southeast part of the Cleveland National Forest, just East of Barrett Lake. The Cottonwood creek flows from Lake Morena to Barrett Lake and the fun thing about that is that there is almost always some type of water flow as the dam at Morena Lake continues to leak, and the county likes to keep the Otay Lakes full, so they continue to drain Lake Morena through Cottonwood Creek, consequently there is always some water flowing in the creek. The only designated way into this wilderness is along the Pacific Crest Trail from the Lake Morena County Campground. You can park your rigs right at the entrance on the left just before their gate and conveniently next to the trail crossing. Follow the PCT south to the road at the bottom of the canyon and then turn right or west, you cannot get lost once you are in the canyon. Make this trip an overnight excursion as it is about a 10 mile trip to Barrett Lake. If you only have time for a day trip then make the old Hauser Creek Campground your destination. There is a great swimming hole, lots of oak trees and what used to be a nice developed campground area that you could drive to.This is a great trip for using your packing equipment and testing your horse camping skills. Don't tell anyone, but Hauser Canyon is also one the best kept secrets for deer hunting; the remoteness of the canyon and the surrounding hills is home to only the more industrious of hunters. No good ol' boys hunting from pickup trucks. The Cottonwood Creek is also home to many a migratory waterfowl. If you are a hunter than you will know at what time of year to visit this canyon. Anytime but the summer has been good for us. The elevation is only 1200 feet and it can get hot with not much breeze. We usually camp in Salazar canyon, not too far from Barrett Lake. The Sycamore Grove is great for picket lines and the valley is large enough for grazing, the creek is nearby for water. I am sure you will find plenty of other lovely camping areas along the way, but consider that there is a flow of illegal Mexicans so it is best to camp out of their way. The oaks are so thick along their trails that at Salazar they won't even notice you. The corrals you passed in the canyon were originally part of the Salazar homestead, and later used by the Campo Cattle Company and subsequently Jim Kemp. Usually there are cattle in the area, but not as many as there used to be. The arroyo toad has taken their place. These environmental issues have become a good way for the forest rangers to design the forests the way they personally want to see them. Wildfire problems are making them rethink a little, and that maybe grazing can be of benefit.It takes as much effort to plan an overnight trip as it does for a week's trip, so plan to stay awhile, this is one of those unique, remote areas you don't find in Southern California much anymore. The Barrett Lake nearby is closed to public fishing, but there is a slice of National forest that touches the lake, and rumor has it that you can fish there. Just remember that it is always easier to get forgiveness than permission, and back off if you need to.You will need a wilderness camping permit from the forestry station in Alpine, the cost is minimal and it is for your own protection. It is also good that they know the horse people are using the area. The only way home is back the way you came, unfortunately, but it always looks a little different than when you came in. Morena Butte is the mountain where the PCT climbs up the face. As you climb you will notice a few old mining roads and tailings on the side of the mountain. They always look for gold , but feldspar is what they mined here. Hopefully you found some fresh air, clean water and campfire camaraderie that the out of doors always provides, and maybe even back strap of venison, duck a la mandarin or filet of big mouth. Whatever it was, be sure to take it home with you and leave the area nicer than you found it. Picking up the trash of others always gives you something to return to.This is a great place for a pack trip and very special to all those who use the area, so please enjoy your trip and take a little extra care of the little that is left of our wilderness areas, and truly this is about as much wilderness as you will in San Diego County.
