Patches of blue sky seen through the fog

This Week in San Diego Hiking – December 29, 2014

Patches of blue sky seen through the fogHello Hikers!

Can you believe 2014 is almost over? We’ve had a fantastic year here at hikingsdcounty. We’ve written up over 30 hikes, acquired close to 200 Facebook followers, and over 100 Twitter followers. We’re all about helping people discover all the great places to hike in San Diego, so thank you everyone for following us and sharing with your friends!

We’re looking forward to sharing even more hikes with you next year. We’re aiming to add some more longer, 10+ mile hikes in the new year as well as some gear reviews and other fun goodies here and there. If there’s anything you’d like to see, please leave a comment and let us know.

What are your plans for the New Year? If you want to start the year off right, check out one of the First Day Hikes from California State Parks:

  • Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. New Year’s Day Resolution Hike: Hike Alcoholic Pass!. Join Volunteer Naturalists Ron & Peg Poitras to experience and discover the prehistory, history, and present-day journey of those who have used this trail for food, water, work, and fun. This is a 4 hour excursion into the pass. Meet at the north end of DiGiorgio Road. This is a strenuous but relatively short hike, bring water, snacks and wear hiking boots. more info
  • Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Hike Borrego Mountain West Butte. Join Volunteer Naturalists Mary Ekelund and Paul Larson for a moderate 3-mile (roundtrip) hike to the top of one of our smaller peaks, but with great views! There will be some walking on narrow ridges and scrambling on rocks toward the summit. Meet just off Highway #78 at the intersection of Buttes Pass Road, 1.5 miles east of Borrego Springs Road. more info
  • San Onofre State Beach: 11:00 am. San Mateo Campground to Trestles. Meet at the San Mateo Campground and hike to the Trestles to take in the views on this moderate four-mile hike. We will also hike on the sand to Church Surf spot to eat a snack and take photos. After our snack return on the inland trails back to San Mateo Campground. This hike is open to all ages, but trail is steep in some places and may be challenging for little legs. Please bring water, hat, sunscreen and stable shoes for hiking. Leashed dogs allowed on paved trails, but not on the beach at the Trestles. Rain will cancel. Call (949) 366-8503 to check for post-rain cancellation. more info

As always, visit our Events page to find even more upcoming hikes and activities.

Torrey Pines has had some excitement this past week. On Friday, two hikers were stranded and required rescue after going off trail and finding themselves stuck on a cliff ledge.  Then, on Saturday, NBC 7 reported a hiker fell off a cliff near the gliderport and fell 30 feet – his condition was unknown at the time of writing, but the article should have updates as they’re available.

If you didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas, then check out the Under Armour Post-Holiday Outlet Event. You can get free shipping on orders over $25 with code SHOPUA25

New Sierra Trading Post customers can get $10 off their first order by signing up here.

Save Up to 60% Online and In Stores now at the Eddie Bauer Semi-Annual Sale.

Have a good week!

Switchbacks wind their way up the top of Iron Mountain