Southern California Hiking and Backpacking Trails » Escondido

Hellhole Canyon Loop

Matt_L — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:27:19 +0000

Hellhole Canyon Preserve is a 1,907 acre preserve that offers 13.5 miles of moderate to advanced trail opportunities. An equestrian friendly staging area has ample trailer parking, vault restrooms, potable water, an ADA look out point and small amphitheater. The main trail descends from the staging area to the riparian zone astride Hell Creek. Here hikers will find a reprieve from the sun as mature Sycamore and oak trees line the creek bed. The trails beyond Hell Creek began to challenge hikers as they rise out of the creek bed and transition into the chaparral plant community. As the trail continue on into the preserve interior they wind up Rodriguez Mountain and become more advanced, but the serenity and views are worth the effort. On a clear day the Pacific Ocean can be seen from the top of Rodriguez Mountain. The preserve is home to a wide variety of plant life and animals, with dawn and dusk being the best time to spot wildlife.

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Elfin Forest – The Way Up Trail

SoCalTrails — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:36:58 +0000

Elfin Forest is a wonderful hidden spot in Escondido, as you approach the area you notice the city stops and a rural community begins. The Way Up Trail is the main trail of the area, starting at the parking lot and bringing you straight up the ridge line, about 3/4th of the way up is a small hut with a very nice view of the area.

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Bernardo Mountain

SoCalTrails — Mon, 16 May 2011 00:50:58 +0000

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 freeway.

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Piedras Pintadas Trail

SoCalTrails — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:37:01 +0000

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 season.

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North Shore Lake Hodges

SoCalTrails — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:38:54 +0000

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 pavement.

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Boden Canyon

SoCalTrails — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:12:57 +0000

Boden Canyon

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

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