Del Dios Highlands is a 774 acre preserve adjacent to the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. The Preserve has one trail, a wide fire road, which begins along the Del Dios Highway and climbs just over 900 feet to an unnamed peak. The road then goes on to connect to the Elfin Forest trail system. Surrounded by a mix of chaparral and coastal sage scrub, the trail offers some superb views of nearby Lake Hodges and Olivenhain Reservoir. Continue reading Del Dios Highlands Preserve
Photo: Garnet Peak
Hello Hikers!
I can’t believe its October already! Fall means cooler weather and longer hikes. We’ve also got a full moon this Thursday if you’re up for a little night hike.
Sunday, October 15th is the 7th Annual Palomar Mountain State Park Apple Festival, from 11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. There will be arts & crafts, games for the kids, a pie-eating contest, free apple goodies, and chili & cornbread for $5. There will also be free admission to the park, making it a great time to check out the trails.
The San Diego Union Tribune has an interesting article about a 2300 acre parcel of land adjacent to Mission Trails Regional Park which officials are hoping can be added to the park.
Nearly 27 miles of new trails have been established on Catalina Island. These trails augment the 38-mile Trans-Catalina Trail, which was previously one of few hiking options on the island. Check out the Catalina Island Conservancy website for more informaion.
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Photo: Kumeyaay Lake
One of the things we love about Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is the fact that its numerous miles of interconnecting fire roads and single track trails can be combined into so many different hikes. This loop along the West Mesa Trail overlaps a portion of the Airplane Monument/Arroyo Seco Loop, but begins at the West Mesa trailhead and travels south towards the monument. Continue reading West Mesa Loop (Cuyamaca Rancho State Park)
Photo: Harvey Moore/East Side Trail Loop
Hello Hikers!
Welcome to Fall! I hope everyone took advantage of the recent cool weather, because it looks like things are going to warm up a bit. We’ll also be subjected to some Santa Ana winds over the next few days, so be extra vigilant with fire safety!
Don’t forget next Saturday, September 30th, is National Public Lands Day. There will be free admission to all federal public lands, including National Parks and Forests.
The San Dieguito River Park announced last week that they have broken ground on the Pamo Valley segment of the Coast to Crest Trail! This will be a 3 mile segment connecting the existing Lower Santa Ysabel Truck Trail and Upper Santa Ysabel Truck Trail. The Pamo Valley segment is expected to be open in 2018.
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Photo: Blue Sky Ecological Preserve
Photo: Corte Madera Mountain
Hell Hikers!
I hope everyone has been enjoying this cooler weather. It looks like these temps should be sticking around for a bit, so get out and take advantage of it!
The Coast News reports that the final phase of the River Path Del Mar extension is underway. Funding has been acquired and contracts awarded for biological and topographic surveys. The next steps will be planning the trail, then construction, for which funding has not yet been acquired.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 30 – National Public Lands Day. On this day there will be free admission to all federal public lands, including National Parks and Forests.
Sunday, October 15th is the 7th Annual Palomar Mountain State Park Apple Festival, from 11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. There will be arts & crafts, games for the kids, a pie-eating contest, free apple goodies, and chili & cornbread for $5. There will also be free admission to the park!
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Photo: Dust Devil Nature Trail
Balboa Park has miles of trails and walking paths with something for everyone. A number of predefined routes have been established and labeled with numbered, color-coded trail markers to help visitors explore the many sights the park has to offer. Trail #43, marked with purple square trail markers, explores the western edge of the park. The trail travels primarily across paved sidewalks, passing a number of Balboa Park’s huge array of public facilities and showcasing a diverse array of plant life that can be found in Balboa Park. It is also home to an abundance of camera-ready squirrels. Continue reading Jerry Schad Memorial Trail (Balboa Park)
Photo: Piedras Pintadas and Bernardo Bay
Hello Hikers!
There will be a series of guided hikes in a section of the Ramona Grasslands normally closed to the public. Each 6-mile (round-trip) excursion provides a unique look at local history, plants and wildlife. Tour guides will answer questions about the preserve, and share information on resident raptors. Advance registration is required, visit the County Parks page for more information.
There will be a community workshop from 10 am to 1 pm on October 7th at the Riverwalk clubhouse to seek community suggestions for the new Riverwalk development in Mission Valley which will replace the existing golf course. The proposed development will include a mix of housing, offices, retail space and an 80-acre park with trails and natural habitat.
You may remember a few weeks ago there were reports of a man exposing himself to women along the Walker Preserve Trail in Santee. It appears police have identified and arrested a suspect in those incidents.
Voting is on now for the SDG&E Earth 8 River Ambassador ecoambassador award. The winner will receive a $20,000 grant for educational and environmental program. Nominees include Mission Trails Regional Park, San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, and San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy.
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Photo: Del Mar Mesa Preserve
The Otay Valley Delta once held farmland, but over the years the land was neglected and soon filled with invasive, non-native plants. In 2012 55 acres were restored, the weeds replaced with native plants and trees, creating a beautiful stretch of riparian habitat. This short loop explores the restored section of the Delta where the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the Otay Valley Regional Park meet. Continue reading Otay Valley Delta
Photo: Dyar Spring/Juaquapin Loop
Hello Hikers!
Well I’m certainly glad that stupid heat wave is over. Hopefully we’ll have some more reasonable temperatures this week!
The National Park Service has proposed increasing the entrance fee at Cabrillo National Monument from $10 to $15 for cars (similar increases are proposed for bicycle, motorcycle, and pedestrian fees). The public is invited to submit feedback regarding this increase between September 1 and September 30. You can submit your comments by emailing cabr_info@nps.gov or mailing the Park Superintendent, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, CA 92106.
Construction of a segment of the Bayshore Bikeway will begin in National City in the next few months. When completed, this will be a 24-mil bike path around the San Diego Bay that runs through Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City, and downtown San Diego. The full project is expected to be completed by 2020.
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Photo: Love Valley Meadow
Carmel Mountain Preserve, surrounded by dense housing developments, is home to a multitude of unique habitats including southern maritime chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and vernal pools. While the best time to visit is likely in winter or early spring so you can see the vernal pools, it’s also a good spot to visit in summer since its proximity to the coast means you’ll likely enjoy slightly lower temperatures than the rest of the county on a hot day. Continue reading Carmel Mountain Preserve
