Southern California Hiking and Backpacking Trails

Blue Sky Nature Reserve

SoCalTrails — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:44 +0000

Blue Sky Ecological Reserve is a 700-acre oak-lined canyon flanked by coastal sage scrub and chaparral-covered hills. The Reserve is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Brilliant colors of wild flowers on the hillsides in spring, the songs of birds, and the tree-lined creek provide an inviting escape for a nature walk.

Continue reading Blue Sky Nature Reserve

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.

Continue reading Hellhole Canyon Loop

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.

Continue reading Elfin Forest – The Way Up Trail

Crest Canyon

SoCalTrails — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 03:29:11 +0000

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

Los Penasquitos Canyon – East Approach

SoCalTrails — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 22:46:11 +0000

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 stream-side.

Continue reading Los Penasquitos Canyon – East Approach

El Monte Park – Flume Trail

SoCalTrails — Sun, 22 May 2011 00:57:23 +0000

El Monte Park is one of the original County parks. The spectacular rocky face of El Cajon Mountain rises high over this 88-acre park, dominating the other mountains that encircle this valley. There are plenty of recreational opportunities, including a ball field and play areas. Seven reservable picnic areas make every size picnic easy to arrange. The "Wedding Tree" in the meadow offers a great spot for a wedding and the "Oak Grove" at the far end of the park is a private wedding location.

Continue reading El Monte Park – Flume Trail

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.

Continue reading Bernardo Mountain

El Cajon Mountain

SoCalTrails — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 05:39:53 +0000

Continue reading El Cajon Mountain

Anza-Borrego – Palm Canyon Flower Fest!

SoCalTrails — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 05:09:11 +0000

It was a flower filled day on the Palm Canyon Trail at Anza-Borrego State Park. We came out here to check out the small window in which the flowers bloom out here. We were not disappointed. At the very end of Palm Canyon Trail there is an Oasis, with a flowing stream, wonderful palm trees and well too many people! Still worth the hike, the flowers were amazing.

Continue reading Anza-Borrego – Palm Canyon Flower Fest!

Mt Woodson East Approach – Fry Koegel Trail Loop

SoCalTrails — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:54:12 +0000

Mount Woodson's East Approach is a difficult trail for beginners, this steep trail offers many beautiful views of the lake and other areas. Worth the challenge, but be sure to bring extra water, as summer temperatures can be extreme. Portable restrooms can be found at various locations around the lake, no facilities are available on the steep climb to the peak.

Continue reading Mt Woodson East Approach – Fry Koegel Trail Loop

Ellie’s Lane Trail (Loop)

SoCalTrails — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 21:08:15 +0000

Iron Mountain Summit Trail to Ellie's Lane Trail which forms a loop back to the Iron Mountain Parking Lot.

Continue reading Ellie’s Lane Trail (Loop)

Cedar Creek Falls – East Approach

Matt_L — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:14:53 +0000

This is a hike to the top of Cedar Creek falls from the Julian trail head off of Eagle Peak Rd. The hike is relatively short and not very challenging. The distance is approx 4miles with less than 1k elevation change. The numbers from the GPS data I've posted include a small "mountain" we trekked up on a little detour that added some significant elevation gain. If you hike on down to the bottom of the falls it will add some more elevation change.

Continue reading Cedar Creek Falls – East Approach

Cedar Creek Falls – West Approach

Matt_L — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:06:29 +0000

his is the trail to Cedar Creek Falls from the Ramona trail head. There is not much to it. The trail is pretty much straight out and straight back. There is about 1k elevation change over the course of the 4 mile out and back hike.

Continue reading Cedar Creek Falls – West Approach

Big Laguna Trail

SoCalTrails — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 03:39:47 +0000

The Big Laguna Trail (or BLT as it is affectionately known by our LMVA Trail Crew that built it) offers a pleasant hike through mountain meadows dotted with pines and large boulders where you can take in the view of Big Laguna Lake, a favorite watering hole for local furry, feathered and four-legged residents.

Continue reading Big Laguna Trail

Mt. Whitney – Whitney Portal Trail

SoCalTrails — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:54:46 +0000

Mount Whitney is the highest summit in the contiguous United States with an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421 m).[1] It is located at the boundary between California's Inyo and Tulare counties, just 84.5 miles (136.0 km) west-northwest of the lowest point in North America at Badwater in Death Valley National Park (282 feet (86 m) below sea level).[5] The western slope of the mountain lies within Sequoia National Park and the summit is the southern terminus of the John Muir Trail which runs 211.9 miles (341.0 km) from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. The eastern slope lies in the Inyo National Forest in Inyo County.

Continue reading Mt. Whitney – Whitney Portal Trail

Santa Cruz Island – Channel Islands

SoCalTrails — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:30:32 +0000

Close to the California mainland, yet worlds apart, Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara) and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was.

Continue reading Santa Cruz Island – Channel Islands

Sequoia National Park Adventures

SoCalTrails — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:09:44 +0000

Hiking adventure in Sequoia National Park, we backpacked the hiking trail from an open campsite along the lake trail to Alta Peak. It was an amazing hike, one that everyone should take.

Continue reading Sequoia National Park Adventures

Three Sisters Waterfall

SoCalTrails — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 19:33:09 +0000

A day at Three Sisters Waterfalls, one of San Diego's best kept secrets. This is one amazing but tough hike down to the best waterfalls San Diego has to offer, everyone should do this hike at least once. Below are photos of our trip to the waterfalls, along with a rattler at the end of the day.

Continue reading Three Sisters Waterfall

Wilderness Gardens Preserve

SoCalTrails — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 02:29:27 +0000

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

Arroyo Tapiado Adventure Weekend!

SoCalTrails — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:55:46 +0000

The caves are really amazing, and a lot deeper then I expected them to be. We set out at the big mud cave, and spend 5 or 6 hours crawling around inside it before coming out on top of the caves on the ridge of the hills.

Continue reading Arroyo Tapiado Adventure Weekend!

Lake Poway Loop

SoCalTrails — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:56:04 +0000

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 backpackers).

Continue reading Lake Poway Loop

Woodson Mountain – West Approach

SoCalTrails — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:54:32 +0000

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

Cowles Mountain – South Approach

SoCalTrails — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:28:25 +0000

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 21st.

Continue reading Cowles Mountain – South Approach

Calavera Lake

Matt — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:52:01 +0000

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

San Clemente Canyon

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:45:04 +0000

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

Continue reading San Clemente Canyon

Indianhead Mountain

SoCalTrails — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:32:13 +0000

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 bend.

Continue reading Indianhead Mountain

Palomar Observatory Trail

SoCalTrails — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:21:20 +0000

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 Valley.

Continue reading Palomar Observatory Trail

Barker Valley

SoCalTrails — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:03:32 +0000

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 left.

Continue reading Barker Valley

Arroyo Tapiado & Arroyo Seco del Diablo Loop

SoCalTrails — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:28:28 +0000

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 fork.

Continue reading Arroyo Tapiado & Arroyo Seco del Diablo Loop

Rainbow Canyon

SoCalTrails — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:59:56 +0000

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

La Jolla Caves

SoCalTrails — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:14:06 +0000

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

Sandstone Canyon – South Approach

SoCalTrails — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:23:40 +0000

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 tributary.

Continue reading Sandstone Canyon – South Approach

Valley of the Moon

SoCalTrails — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:02:36 +0000

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 left.

Continue reading Valley of the Moon

Eagle Crag

SoCalTrails — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:43:01 +0000

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 Road.

Continue reading Eagle Crag

Sweetwater Trail

SoCalTrails — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:03:38 +0000

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

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.

Continue reading Piedras Pintadas Trail

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.

Continue reading North Shore Lake Hodges

Dripping Springs Trail

SoCalTrails — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:39:51 +0000

Dripping Springs Trail

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

Continue reading Dripping Springs Trail

Agua Tibia Loop

SoCalTrails — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:02:01 +0000

Agua Tibia Loop

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

Continue reading Agua Tibia Loop

Rockhouse Canyon & Valley

SoCalTrails — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:06:23 +0000

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

Continue reading Rockhouse Canyon & Valley

Volcan Mountain

SoCalTrails — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:28:07 +0000

Volcan Mountain

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,

Continue reading Volcan Mountain

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

Continue reading Boden Canyon

Iron Mountain

SoCalTrails — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:54:04 +0000

Iron Mountain

Distance: 6.4 miles round trip Hiking Time: 3.5 hours Elevation Gain/Loss 1200′/1200′ Difficulty: Moderate [maptype=G_PHYSICAL_MAP;gpxcheckpointtable=show;ngg_gallery=18;]

Directions From interstate 15 take either Scripps Poway Parkway or Poway Road east to highway 67. The Iron Mountain trailhead is 2 miles south on highway 67

Download GPX: Iron

Continue reading Iron Mountain

East Mesa Loop

SoCalTrails — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:45:09 +0000

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 chaparral.

Continue reading East Mesa Loop

Sill Hill Waterfall

SoCalTrails — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:21:57 +0000

Distance: 6.5 miles round trip (out and back) Hiking Time: 4.5 hours Elevation Gain/Loss 1400′/1400′ Difficulty: Moderately strenuous

Download GPX: Sill Hill Waterfall

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

Continue reading Sill Hill Waterfall

Upper Santa Ysabel Creek

SoCalTrails — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:35:17 +0000

Kanaka Flat

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

Continue reading Upper Santa Ysabel Creek

Three Sisters Waterfalls

SoCalTrails — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:00:14 +0000

[maptype=G_PHYSICAL_MAP;gpxcheckpointtable=show;] Directions: 4.0 miles round trip (out and back) Hiking Time: 3 hours Elevation Gain/Loss: 1000′/1000′ Difficulty: Moderately strenuous Directions: From interstate 8, exit at Highway 79(the Descanso Exit) and drive north. After 1.3 miles turn left on Riverside Drive. Continue 0.6mile to the main crossroads (post office, etc.) of the hamlet of

Continue reading Three Sisters Waterfalls

Cedar Creek Falls

SoCalTrails — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:44:13 +0000

Cedar Creek Calls

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

Continue reading Cedar Creek Falls

Caliente Wilderness

SoCalTrails — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:29:49 +0000

Pacific Crest Trail

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

Continue reading Caliente Wilderness

Hot Springs Mountain

SoCalTrails — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:04:21 +0000

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

Continue reading Hot Springs Mountain

Pacific Crest Trail Mt Laguna -> South

SoCalTrails — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:57:16 +0000

A southbound hike on the pacific crest trail. We hiked from Mt Laguna to Lake Morena on the Pacific Crest Hiking Trail.

Continue reading Pacific Crest Trail Mt Laguna -> South

Palomar Observatory Trail.

SoCalTrails — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:18:07 +0000

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

Continue reading Palomar Observatory Trail.

Black Beach – Torrey Pines State Reserve

SoCalTrails — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:47:38 +0000

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 Gliderport.

Continue reading Black Beach – Torrey Pines State Reserve

Pacific Crest Trail: Lake Morena to Mt. Laguna

SoCalTrails — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:16:51 +0000

This was a very cool hike, a little hot but very fun. Better review soon, including a trail map!

Continue reading Pacific Crest Trail: Lake Morena to Mt. Laguna