|  SoCalTrails  Thursday, 1st of April 2010 at 06:29:27 PM The park is open Thursday through Monday, 8 A.M to 4 P.M. The trailhead features a nice picnic area. The nearby Alice Fries Nature Trail loops a sort distance around the north bank of the San Luis Rey River. The hike described here starts by crossing the San Rey River. Just ahead, on the left the Upper Meadow Trail begins. Follow it along an oak-dotted terrace and up some steps to the small “upper meadow” and around the edge of a small, dried-up reservoir at 0.5 miles into the hike. Continue reading Wilderness Gardens Preserve SoCalTrails Tuesday, 15th of December 2009 at 10:56:04 AM Find the trail just beyond the lake entrance, to the left of the park office and concession stand. The trail follows the west shoreline to the rock-fill dam, descends to a creek crossing, and soon reaches a dirt maintenance road. Turn left (north) and stay with the that road for about 100 years, where you will see the Lake Poway Loop trail continuing on the right (at this juncture, if you want, you can make a short side trip down to the “Wilderness Campground”, a walk in or ride in site for Continue reading Lake Poway Loop SoCalTrails Saturday, 5th of December 2009 at 03:59:13 PM The trails are divided into two networks, each with its own trail head. To explore the South Trails, start from the South Trail head, 5.3 miles east of the Wild Animal Park entrance. You begin by zigzagging .6 miles to the first marked trail junction. Choose the right branch for a relatively east climb to a 1550 foot knoll. From this vantage, there is often a rather good ocean Continue reading San Pasqual Hiking Trails SoCalTrails Wednesday, 2nd of December 2009 at 07:29:11 PM Pick up the wide path heading north and gradually downhill. After less then 1 mile, you reach Racetrack View Drive, across from the southern arm of San Dieguito Lagoon. This is also a possible starting point of the hike. Continue reading Crest Canyon SoCalTrails Wednesday, 2nd of December 2009 at 12:54:32 PM Begin at the grassy picnic area on the southwest shore of Lake Poway, and follow either of the two wide trails southeast (they soon merge). After skirting the south shore and dipping to cross Warren Canyon, you come to a trail junction at .8 miles. Turn right on the signed Mount Woodson Trail and climb east on a steep grade through sage and scrub and chaparral. Continue reading Woodson Mountain – West Approach SoCalTrails Sunday, 29th of November 2009 at 02:46:11 PM Take along a picnic lunch and a blanket on this hike. There are many fine places, sunny meadows, oak-shaded flats, and the sycamore-fringed Continue reading Los Penasquitos Canyon – East Approach SoCalTrails Saturday, 28th of November 2009 at 11:28:25 PM Precisely on that flat spot, there once existed a circular array of stones crossed by an “arrow” of rocks pointing southeast to the exact point on the horizon where the winter solstice sun rises, typically on December Continue reading Cowles Mountain – South Approach Matt Tuesday, 24th of November 2009 at 10:52:01 AM From the I5, take the 78 East and exit College Blvd, make a right. Not too far down make a left onto Lake Blvd. After about two miles you will see Old Riparian Park and head into the parking lot and park. Look for the playground and head south towards a trail, you will need to cross a small wooden bridge. Continue reading Calavera Lake Matt Tuesday, 24th of November 2009 at 10:45:04 AM San Clemente Canyon – photo via Flickr – driven to capture2 Directions: also called Marian Bear Memorial Park, this trail runs across the 52 freeway off of either Genesee Ave. or Regents Rd . If you are heading south it is just past the 52 freeway and if you are heading north it is just before the 52, there are parking lots for both entrances. There are mountain bikers Continue reading San Clemente Canyon SoCalTrails Monday, 23rd of November 2009 at 03:32:13 PM From the trail head proceed up the Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail to the first palm grove (1.5 miles). From here you’ll pick up an informal path on the south side of the creek and follow it to a rightward Continue reading Indianhead Mountain SoCalTrails Monday, 23rd of November 2009 at 01:21:20 PM Staring from the upper trailhead, walk first through a thicket of chaparral, then past pines, oaks, and incense cedars. About half way down, the trail bends around a ravine, alive with the sound of a stream. Soon after, you come to a wooden platform on the left overlooking Mendenghall Continue reading Palomar Observatory Trail SoCalTrails Friday, 20th of November 2009 at 08:03:32 PM Start off on the old roadway, which gradually descends west down a hillside. Hike for 1.7 miles on a gradual descent until the old roadbed switches back sharply to the Continue reading Barker Valley SoCalTrails Friday, 20th of November 2009 at 01:28:28 PM Follow the wheel tracks in Arroyo Tapiado north across the low-lying hills. About 2 miles up the wash the canyon walls begin to get huge. Arroyo Tapiado widens after 4 miles and sets up a straighter course northwest. The canyon divides at 6.3 miles; take the right Continue reading Arroyo Tapiado & Arroyo Seco del Diablo Loop SoCalTrails Thursday, 19th of November 2009 at 10:59:56 PM From your parking spot along Highway S-2, head northeast across a sloping alluvial fan towards a nearby mouth of a rocky canyon. Starting at just .3 miles you’re inside the canyon proper. At mile .7 you arrive at a major canyon fork – stay right. At mile 1.1 the canyon bends left, widens and becomes less interesting. Continue reading Rainbow Canyon SoCalTrails Thursday, 19th of November 2009 at 09:14:06 PM South of the wide La Jolla Shores Beach, the sand disappeats and wave-washed cliffs begin. Just offshore, LA Jolla Canyon swallows the sand that normally would migrate down the coast. The western most cave is well-known among tourists and natives alike. It can be reached from above by a long stairway that begins inside the Cave Store and passes through a human-made tunnel. The half dozen or so other grotto’s in the series are usually only accessible by water, or very low tides. Continue reading La Jolla Caves SoCalTrails Wednesday, 18th of November 2009 at 02:23:40 PM From your parking spot head east for .5 miles, take note of your route so you can follow it back to your car. Proceed up June Wash over sand and rocks for 2 miles until the area assumes a canyon like appearance (you should be roughly at 1800 ft), there is also a small tributary here that joins on the left. Wind sheltered campsites can be found on the flat sands about 100 yards up the Continue reading Sandstone Canyon – South Approach SoCalTrails Wednesday, 18th of November 2009 at 12:02:36 PM From the parking area, walk up the road to a saddle at 3830 feet. A 4-wheel drive road branches off to hte left to Smugglers Cave. Proceed another .1 miles south and stay Continue reading Valley of the Moon SoCalTrails Tuesday, 17th of November 2009 at 01:43:01 PM Start off by descending sharply on the Cutca Trail into the depts of Cottonwood Creek.
Climb the saddle at 1.2 miles and then descend to the Aguanga Trail junction at 2.1 miles. Continue on the Cutca Trail through Long Canyon, at 5.0 miles you cross Cutca Continue reading Eagle Crag SoCalTrails Tuesday, 17th of November 2009 at 01:03:38 PM Starting from the North end of Sweetwater Summit Campground, the Sweetwater trail runs east, first passing a fishing access area for the reservoir. After about 1 miles the trail veers sharply right and begins a series of rather tough up’s and down’s. Continue reading Sweetwater Trail SoCalTrails Monday, 16th of November 2009 at 01:37:01 PM From the trail head, the well marked trail swings around Bernardo Bay (the south arm of the lake) passing a small waterfall that splashes happily during the wet Continue reading Piedras Pintadas Trail SoCalTrails Monday, 16th of November 2009 at 12:50:58 PM The trailhead on Sunset Drive is a major access point for the Coast to Crest Trail, which when compelted around 2016 will span 70 miles between the ocean and the crest of the Peninsular Ranges. One branch on the trail trends east for about 10 miles through the San Pasqual Valley. The other branch, the one you want to follow begins as a concrete walkway heading south, parallel to the Continue reading Bernardo Mountain SoCalTrails Monday, 16th of November 2009 at 12:38:54 PM One branch on the trail trends east for about 10 miles through the San Pasqual Valley. The other branch, the one you want to follow begins as a concrete walkway heading south, parallel to the freeway. After about .4 miles, the walkway turns sharply right and passes under the I-15 bridge. After swinging north on the far side of the freeway the Cost to Crest Trail joins for a short time on the crumbling Continue reading North Shore Lake Hodges SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 06:39:51 PM Distance: 14 miles round trip, out and back
Hiking Time: 8+ hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3100′/3100′
Difficulty: Strenuous From Interstate 15 at Temecula, drive 10 miles east on highway 79 to Dripping Springs Campground. 0.4 miles inside is the trail head. This is an all day (or overnighter) hike. From the register this starts switchbacking. After .1 miles the trail intersects The Wild Horse Trail. After 1 mile the trail gains the Continue reading Dripping Springs Trail SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 05:02:01 PM Distance: 20 miles, loop
Hiking Time: 12-14 hours (over night possible)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 4100′/4100′
Difficulty: Strenuous Directions: From interstate 15 at Temecula, drive 10 miles east on Highway 79 to Dripping Springs Campground (on the right south side of the road). Inside .4 miles is the trail head. The first third of the hike is all elevation gain as you walk up the crest of Agua Tibia Mountain. Turn left Continue reading Agua Tibia Loop SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 04:06:23 PM Rockhouse Canyon & Valley Distance: 19 miles, loop
Hiking Time 13 hours (over night)
Elevation Gain/Loss 3500′/3500′
Difficulty: Rough Directions: From Borrego Springs follow Highway S22 generally east for 7.5 miles to miles marker 26.7, turn onto Clark’s Well Road. After 1.5 miles bear left on Rockhouse Truck Trail. 13 miles later you reach your destination. From the road closure proceed about 1 mile up the canyon to Hidden Spring.
Over the next Continue reading Rockhouse Canyon & Valley SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 03:28:07 PM Distance: 3.2 miles, loop
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss 200′/200′
Difficulty: Moderate From your car on Farmer Road, hike the gravel access road going easy, and you soon reach the preserves gateway. An old fire road continues sharply up the hill ahead. Presently, you swing right and continue climbing along a rounded ridge line leading towards the Volcan Mountain crest. At 1.2 miles up the fire road take the Continue reading Volcan Mountain SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 03:12:57 PM Distance: 11.0 miles out and back
Hiking Time: 4.5 hours (round trip)
Elevation Gain/Loss 500′/500′
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous Directions: take the 15 to Escondido and follow the signs to the San Diego Wild Animal Park – on highway 78 east of Escondido.
From the Wild Animal Park entrance, drive 7 miles east to Boden Canyon’s entrance, a gated dirt road intersecting on he left (north) side, this entrance is 5 miles Continue reading Boden Canyon SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 02:54:04 PM Distance: 6.4 miles round trip
Hiking Time: 3.5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss 1200′/1200′
Difficulty: Moderate # Latitude Longitude Elevation Distance 1 N 32° 58' 34.23" W 116° 58' 21.11" 473 m Continue reading Iron Mountain SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 02:45:09 PM This is the grand tour of the East Mesa area. From the Sweetwater River Bridge Trailhead, follow the Harvey Moore Trail south and east across a hill side, passing first through a band of oaks and pines and then through a Continue reading East Mesa Loop SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 02:21:57 PM Distance: 6.5 miles round trip (out and back)
Hiking Time: 4.5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss 1400′/1400′
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous Directions: Follow highway 79 9.4 miles south from Julian or 13.4 miles north from Interstate 8 at Descanso to reach the trailhead, on the inside of a sharp bend in the road. This trailhead is located at mile 10.7 according to the highway 79 mile markers. This hidden 30-foot waterfall lies within Cleveland National Forest, just outside the west boundary of Cuyamaca Continue reading Sill Hill Waterfall SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 01:35:17 PM Distance: 7 miles, loop
Hiking Time: 3.5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1200′/1200′
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous Directions: From Julian, drive 2 miles north on Farmer Road to Wynola Road, jog briefly right, turn left to remain on Farmer Road. Continue 1.2 miles north to the Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve staging area on the left. From the staging area head west along side the upper reaches of the Santa Ysabel Creek, on Continue reading Upper Santa Ysabel Creek SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 01:00:14 PM var so6_1 = {
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so6_1.start(); SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 12:44:13 PM Distance: 4.5 miles round trip (out and back)
Hiking Time: 2.5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss 1200′/1200′
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous This is one of San Diego County’s hidden treasures, tucked back in a tributary of the upper San Diego River.
Bring plenty of water as the walk back is uphill, and can be quite strenuous. Directions:
Follow Eagle Peak Road for 1.4 miles, veer right staying on Eagle Peak Road. After 8.2 miles Continue reading Cedar Creek Falls SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 12:29:49 PM Distance: 12 miles round trip (out and back)
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss 1700′/1700′
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous This Section of the Pacific Crest Trail, through lands formerly considered for offical wilderness status. From Lost Valley road walk up the abandoned road (a lateral link to the PCT) 0.5 mile to the point where the true PCT joins from the right. Continue uphill on the sameold roadbed, some-what monotonously, Continue reading Caliente Wilderness SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 12:04:21 PM
Distance: 5.5 miles round trip (out and back)
Hiking Time: 3.5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1250′/1250′
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous Hot Springs Mountain, the highest point in San Diego County at 6533 feet. SoCalTrails Saturday, 10th of October 2009 at 09:39:53 PM Everything ranging from a easy Class 1 hike to a Class 3 scramble to a large 5.11 wall is found here, and is a jewel for climbers. However, the fact that the mountain is nearly completely surrounded by either private property or an Indian Reservation, the trailhead is difficult to find, the valley below is often quite hot, and there is little or no vegetation(fires sweep through Bi-annually), all contribute to this being Continue reading El Cajon Mountain SoCalTrails Saturday, 10th of October 2009 at 09:18:07 PM
A hike along Observatory Trail on Palomar Mountain is like a “three-for-one” deal at the supermarket: for the price of sweating out a hike on one beautiful, coniferous, oak-lined trail, you reap the benefits that normally only result from having hiked along at least three other trails: a good aerobic climb, magnificent scenery along mostly good trail, and access to a world-famous observatory. The trailhead is easy to find within the Observatory Campground
Continue reading Palomar Observatory Trail. SoCalTrails Friday, 4th of September 2009 at 07:47:38 PM I-5 to Genesee Ave. exit. Head W at end of exit. L onto North Torrey Pines Rd. R onto Torrey Pines Scenic Dr. Park at dirt lot near Torrey Pines Continue reading Black Beach – Torrey Pines State Reserve SoCalTrails Wednesday, 2nd of September 2009 at 02:16:51 PM This was a very cool hike, a little hot but very fun.
Better review soon, including a trail Continue reading Pacific Crest Trail: Lake Morena to Mt. Laguna SoCalTrails Wednesday, 2nd of September 2009 at 10:53:44 AM This was a great hike. It starts off at a parking lot and quickly gets into a wooded area, with in 10 minutes you can no longer hear the traffic. Just before the climb up the hill is a small rest area with picnic tables and a porta-potty. Ascending the hill is fairly quick, it is well Continue reading Blue Sky Nature Reserve |
