Saturday, 5th of December 2009 at 03:59:13 PM| Distance: Up to 12 miles round trip Hiking Time: Varies Elevation Gain/Loss: Varies Difficulty: Easy to Moderately strenuous Trail Use: Dogs Allowed, good for kids Download Map |
Directions: From any major Interstate 15 exit in Escondido follow the signs to the San Diego Wild Animal Park — on Highway 78 east of Escondido. The San Pasqual South Trail head is located 5.3 miles east of the Wild Animal Park entrance. The San Pasqual North Trail head is located .3 miles beyond (east of) the South Trail head.
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 view.
The left branch of the trail, a more rugged alternative — begins with a short passage through a spooky raving, replete with live oaks, mosses and fungi. On the other side, you tackle switchbacks leading toward a prominent, monolithic boulder on a high ridge to the east. After passing with in a few yards of the boulder, there’s a side trail on the right leading to a 1755 foot viewpoint, which is good for another view to the west.
Keep straight and continue towards a 1635 foot bump on a ridge .5 miles northeast (you join a dirty road briefly) and resume travel on a foot trail branching left towards the high point. This is where you get a really stunning view of the upper San Pasqual Valley. Almost straight down 10000 feet you’ll see toy like cars making their way along the gray ribbon of Highway 78.
By tracing all the branches of the south trail network and returning, you cover about 7 miles with a 1900 foot total elevation gain, and the same loss.
To explore the north trail, start from the north trail head, just east of the south trail head on Highway 78. You begin with a quick .3 mile descent into Santa Ysabel Creek.
On the far side of the creek, you tackle a steeply ascending trail, which has proven to be difficult to maintain. Dozens of switchbacks take you to a point 1300 feet higher and 2.5 miles farther, to the brow of a rolling plateau. The trail ends here.
Really love the post. Maybe hiking shoes can assist someone there.