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 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
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Directions: also called Marian Bear Memorial Park, this trail runs across the
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
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Dripping Springs Trail
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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.
Continue reading Dripping Springs Trail
SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 05:02:01 PM
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Agua Tibia Loop
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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
Continue reading Agua Tibia Loop
SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 04:06:23 PM
Rockhouse Canyon & Valley
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Distance: 19 miles, loop
Hiking Time 13 hours (over night)
Elevation Gain/Loss 3500′/3500′
Difficulty: Rough
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Directions: From Borrego Springs follow Highway S22 generally east for 7.5 miles to miles marker
Continue reading Rockhouse Canyon & Valley
SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 03:28:07 PM
Volcan Mountain
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Distance: 3.2 miles, loop
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss 200′/200′
Difficulty: Moderate
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From your car on Farmer Road, hike the gravel access road going easy, and you soon reach the preserves gateway.
An old fire
Continue reading Volcan Mountain
SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 03:12:57 PM
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Boden Canyon
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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
Continue reading Boden Canyon
SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 02:54:04 PM
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Iron Mountain
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Distance: 6.4 miles round trip
Hiking Time: 3.5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss 1200′/1200′
Difficulty: Moderate |
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![]() 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
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IMAGE COMING SOON
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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
Continue reading Sill Hill Waterfall
SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 01:35:17 PM
Kanaka Flat
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Distance: 7 miles, loop
Hiking Time: 3.5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1200′/1200′
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
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Directions: From Julian, drive 2 miles north on Farmer Road to Wynola Road, jog briefly right, turn left to remain on Farmer
Continue reading Upper Santa Ysabel Creek
SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 01:00:14 PM
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Continue reading Three Sisters Waterfalls
SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 12:44:13 PM
Cedar Creek Calls
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Distance: 4.5 miles round trip (out and back)
Hiking Time: 2.5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss 1200′/1200′
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
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This is one of San Diego County’s hidden treasures, tucked back in a tributary of
Continue reading Cedar Creek Falls
SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 12:29:49 PM
Pacific Crest Trail
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Distance: 12 miles round trip (out and back)
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss 1700′/1700′
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
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This Section of the Pacific Crest Trail, through lands formerly considered for offical wilderness status.
Continue reading Caliente Wilderness
SoCalTrails Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 12:04:21 PM
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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
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.
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 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
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