Middle Peak is one of several promontories in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Along with Cuyamaca Peak to the south and North Peak to the north, Middle Peak is a landmark easily identified from many other popular trails in the county. Once covered in pine and oak trees, Middle Peak, like the rest of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, was hit hard by the 2003 Cedar Fire. Much of the mountain is now covered in ceanothus, and the charred remains of blackened trees line the slopes. Reforestation efforts are underway, but in the meantime, the lack of trees allows for some sweeping views of the surrounding area. Continue reading Middle Peak (Cuyamaca Rancho State Park)
This Week in San Diego Hiking – September 26, 2016
Photo: Sunset from the Iron Mountain Trail
Hello Hikers!
Welcome to fall! While much of the country gets to look forward to cooler temperatures this time of year, San Diego gets Santa Anas and red flag fire conditions. It look like things should start cooling off a bit around Wednesday.
We are sad to report that a hiker collapsed and died on Cowles Mountain Sunday morning. The hiker went into cardiac arrest while on the trail, and despite rescue efforts, died.
Mark your calendar for October 16th, when the 6th Annual Palomar Apple Festival will be held at Palomar Mountain State Park. There will be free admission to the park for the entire day, as well as games, arts and crafts, apple pressing demonstrations, apple goodies, live music and more!
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Photo: Laguna to Cuyamaca
Famosa Slough
Famosa Slough is a 37 acre Marine Conservation Area which protects fragile wetland habitat near the point where the San Diego River meets the Pacific Ocean. While the surrounding area has been heavily developed, this small portion of wetland provides a peaceful patch of nature. The Slough is a popular spot for birdwatchers year-round, and a frequent stopover point for migrating birds in the winter. Over 190 species of birds have been spotted here. Continue reading Famosa Slough
This Week in San Diego Hiking – September 19, 2016
Photo: Lucky 5 Trail
Hello Hikers!
The National Weather Service is forecasting a slight chance of thunderstorms today and tomorrow throughout the county, so watch out for lightning if you’re headed out. After Tuesday it looks like it should be pretty nice out.
Next Saturday is National Public Lands Day! There will be free admission to National Forest and National Park lands all day.
Also next Saturday is the thrid annual Wildlife Hike-A-Thon at Border Field State Park. All proceeds will benefit the Fund For Animals Wildlife Center in Ramona, allowing it to continue its rescue and rehabilitation services to ill, injured and orphaned wildlife and to provide care to permanent sanctuary residents. This event takes place on a scenic trail from Border Field Park to the Pacific Ocean. Bring the whole family and take the leisurely hike to the half-way point where you can enjoy a refreshing view of the Pacific Ocean and Monument Mesa before turning back to the finish line. Games and activities will be set up before and after the hike, including “Duck Rescue”, Wildlife Trivia and more! Go here for more information and to register.
On Sunday, you can join the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers as they hike the Soapstone Loop from the Sunrise Trailhead in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. This section of ABDSP was acquired in 2001. The lands are adjacent to Cuyamaca Lake and connect the desert park to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, providing a wildlife corridor between the mountains and the desert. This is a difficult 9 mile hike with an elevation gain/loss of up to 1000 feet. Visit the Canyoneers web site for more information, or check out our Events Page to find even more upcoming hikes and events.
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Photo: Double Peak
Boulder Loop Trail (Daley Ranch)
Once threatened by development, Daley Ranch is now a 3058 acre habitat conservation area in northeastern Escondido. With over 20 miles of trails to explore, it is a popular spot for hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. The Boulder Loop Trail is a scenic hike in the southwestern portion of the property with some decent hills to conquer. Continue reading Boulder Loop Trail (Daley Ranch)
This Week in San Diego Hiking – September 12, 2016
Photo: Trans-County trail to Knott Grove
Hello Hikers!
I hope everyone had a nice weekend and got to enjoy some trail time. Looks like the forecast is calling for cooler temperatures through Tuesday, then it will begin to slowly warm up through the end of the week.
The City of San Diego has opened a new wheelchair accessible trail at the Black Mountain Open Space Preserve. The “Jas Arnold Trail for All People” is a 1100 foot flat loop hike, that is accessible to the elderly, mobility impaired, and young children. It can be access from the same trailhead as the Miner’s Ridge Loop off of Carmel Valley Road.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 6th, when the Friends of Hellhole Canyon Preserve will be holding an Art Auction & Wine Tasting at Melrose Ranch in Escondido. This event is a fundraiser to raise money to purchase 400 acres of habitat adjacent to the current Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve. This new acquisition is an important component in maintaining a wildlife corridor between the Preserve and other protected areas such as the Cleveland National Forest, Palomar Mountain, BLM land, and Rancho Guejito.
Next Saturday, join the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers as they hike Marian R. Bear Memorial Park (San Clemente East). This walk provides easy access to a riparian woodland habitat with huge sycamores, live oak trees and willows. Vegetation is both dense and diverse. This is one of the most productive areas for wildlife due to abundant water and cold air drainage. This is an easy 3 mile hike with an elevation gain/loss of up to 200 feet. Visit the Canyoneers web site for more information, or check out our Events Page for even more upcoming hikes and events.
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Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is a small pair of peaks just north of Silverset Park in Poway. The taller, western peak gets the “Twin Peaks” label on topographic maps and appears to be the more popular destination. The smaller peak, a short distance to the east, is an easy side trip worth visiting at least once. Overall its a relatively short hike (just over 2 miles round trip for both summits), but the steep, rugged terrain makes for a worthy climb. Continue reading Twin Peaks
This Week in San Diego Hiking – September 5, 2016
Photo: Tijuana River Valley Regional Park
Hello Hikers!
Happy Labor Day! Hopefully you’re enjoying the cool weather and long weekend, because neither is going to last.
CBS has an article that is both entertaining and informative alerting Southern California hikers that it is now tarantula mating season, so we are much more likely to encounter male tarantulas on the trail as they wander around seeking mates.
San Dieguito River Park has announced that there will be a temporary trail detour between Jimmy Durante Blvd and the Coast to Crest trail as work is done to restore more wetland habitat in the vicinity. About half of the existing boardwalk is being removed to accommodate more wetlands, and a new, permanent segment of the Coast to Crest trail will be constructed once the restoration work is completed.
If you have a few minutes to spare, there is a survey being conducted about ideas for interactive hiking trails, so click on over and share your opinion.
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Florida Canyon (Balboa Park)
Balboa Park has something for everyone. There are museums, theaters, an archery range, and tennis courts. You can see puppet shows, play disc golf, race remote control cars, there’s even a velodrome! So it should be no surprise that there are a number of notable hiking and walking trails throughout the park. Continue reading Florida Canyon (Balboa Park)
This Week in San Diego Hiking – August 29, 2016
Photo: Blue Sky Ecological Preserve
Hello Hikers!
I hope everyone had the opportunity to get out and enjoy the cooler weather this weekend. It looks like we might be getting some warmer temperatures coming up.
The San Diego Reader reports that the Marines have agreed to open a section of trail on Miramar that will connect Mission Trails and trails in Poway. There is still a lot of work to be done to make this happen, and trail users will be required to get a permit, but this is a huge step forward in what has been a very long process. The Marines estimate the trail will be open some time next year.
If you’re a regular visitor to the San Diego River Trail in Santee, the San Diego River Park Foundation is looking for people to serve as Park Watch Volunteers. Volunteers report vandalism and grafitti, asses who is using the parks. There is an upcoming training on September 10th from 9am – 11am at Mast Park. If you’re interested or would like more information, contact DeVerna at volunteer@SanDiegoRiver.org 619-297-7380.
5 miles of new TRACK trails have been opened at the San Dieguito County Park. TRACK trails are family-oriented, self-guided nature trails where kids can track their excursions using an online journal at the Kids in Parks website. Participants can engage in various adventures like scavenger hunts or physical exercises, and even sign up to win prizes. This is a great way to engage young children who might otherwise get bored on a hike.
If you’re headed up to the Laguna Mountain area for a hike this weekend, stop by the Red-Tailed Roost Volunteer Center, where the Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association will be presenting “Living History” demonstrations. Presentations will be held hourly beginning at 9:30 am on Saturday, September 3rd and Sunday, September 4th. For more information call (619) 473-8547 or 445-6235. Admission is free, donations accepted.
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