The Bayside Trail at Cabrillo National Monument

This Week in San Diego Hiking – January 19, 2015

The Bayside Trail at Cabrillo National MonumentHello Hikers!

In case you missed the update last week, today is free entrance to all National Parks as well as National Forests. That means no Adventure Pass is required if you want to do any hikes in the Cleveland National Forest, plus there is free entry to Cabrillo National Monument today.

And if you’re ready to start planning next weekend already, consider a stroll at Oakoasis Preserve on Sunday morning. The Oakoasis Sunday stroll will provide a moderately challenging walk the whole family can enjoy. Bring a half gallon of water per person, sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and snacks to get you through a nice 3 mile loop featuring fantastic overviews of San Vincente Reservoir. Be prepared for a few hundred feet in elevation change that will challenge your skills. Meet at the Oakoasis parking lot at 8am. For more information, visit the San Diego County Parks & Recreation Activity Guide, or check out our Events Page for even more upcoming hikes and activities.

CBS News 8 has a quick video report of a hiker rescue on Cowles Mountain last Thursday. The hiker apparently suffered some kind of medical problem on the trail. Other hikers called 911 and the afflicted hiker was transported via pickup truck to an ambulance at the bottom of the mountain. Hope he/she is recovering!

The City of Poway is discussing plans to add additional parking spaces at Lake Poway. The parking area at the Lake often fills up on weekends, in no small part due to the popularity of the hike to Potato Chip Rock (Mount Woodson). No final decision has been made, but it looks like the preferred option will add 91 spaces.

The Union-Tribune reports that the Forest Service is planning to cut the number of daily permits issued for day hikers at Cedar Creek Falls. Permit sales are rarely maxed out, however, so it doesn’t sound like the new limit will have a terribly adverse affect on hikers. The permit system was instituted several years ago after a series of incidents in the area, including numerous unprepared hikers requiring rescue, problems related to alcohol and drug use, and the death of young man cliff-diving into the pool.

We’ve still got lots of great deals running at Amazon this week. Some of these deals end this week, so don’t wait if there’s something you’ve been looking for:

New Sierra Trading Post customers can get $10 off their first order here!

Have a good week!

Enjoying the view of Anza Borrego from Monument Peak