Hello Hikers!

Hope you enjoyed the muggy weekend and got some hiking in. Looks like there’s still some chance of thunderstorms through Monday, but hopefully after that we’ll have some normal uneventful weather conducive to hiking.

The rescue count continues to mount at Cedar Creek Falls and Three Sisters Waterfall. Last Monday alone, there were seven calls to emergency services, and on Wednesday, 2 9-year old girls were airlifted out while hiking with a YMCA group who had been warned against doing the hike by a volunteer at the trailhead. During the summer, both of the falls are generally dry and the pools are filled with a lovely algae green funk. I recommend doing these hikes in winter or early spring.

Friday is the 4th of July! Enjoy the fireworks from the top of Volcan Mountain on the Fireworks from the Summit Hike. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the many fireworks displays from around San Diego County from the Volcan Mountain summit. Join Park Attendant Bill Augustus in discussions on the history and geography of the area. We will arrive at the summit just as the sun sets to enjoy the coastal views. Around 9:00 PM, we can enjoy the many fireworks displays from around the County. We will be on the summit for about an hour before the fireworks start, so bring a jacket, water and a snack. We will hike back down to the staging area in the dark so please bring a fully charged flash light. Check out the San Diego County Parks & Recreation Program Guide for more information, or visit our Events Page to find even more upcoming hikes and activities.

Here’s this week’s Amazon outdoor deals:

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Hello Hikers!

I hope everyone safely survived the hot weekend. According to the National Weather Service, the current high pressure system should be letting up a bit, leading to an expanded marine layer and somewhat cooler temperatures later this week.

As usual when the weather gets hot, there have been a number of incidents along the trails, especially near Cedar Creek Falls and Three Sisters Falls. Last Tuesday, a 24 year old was evacuated by helicopter and later died while hiking back from Cedar Creek Falls. On Thursday, a woman was evacuated from the Three Sisters Falls trail after suffering an asthma attack, and later that afternoon another hiker in the area had to be evacuated by helicopter after being overcome by the heat. Remember, no matter how good of shape you’re in or how much water you’re carrying, sometimes it is just TOO HOT! Check the weather forecast before you head out, and during these crazy heat waves, consider a coastal hike instead of venturing out to the sweltering inland areas.

The City of Chula Vista has announced they will be installing fences and “No Trespassing” signs to close off access to local use trails used to climb Mt. Miguel. The City says this is part of an effort to protect sensitive habitat and protected species that inhabit the area, however a number of people have speculated that the real motive behind the closure is to appease nearby homeowners who have complained about being disturbed by hikers. Trespassing in California can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor under the Penal Code with penalties of up to six (6) months in county jail and/or a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000). South Bay hikers who wish to climb a mountain will now have to travel 20 miles or more to the closest peaks at Mission Trails or McGinty Mountain in Jamul. Let’s hope they all have electric cars!

If you’re looking for a South Bay hike without risk of being arrested, head to the Tijuana Estuary on Saturday for a Nature Walk!  The Tijuana Estuary protects a variety of plant communities and wildlife. Come and discover the richness that unfolds around the Visitor Center, be it upland plant adaptations or the significance of our estuarine habitat. Walks begin at the Visitor Center. All ages welcome. Visit the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Calendar for more information, or check out our Events Page to find even more upcoming hikes and activities.

This week Amazon has some nice deals on camping gear and outdoor/fitness clothing:

• Up to 50% Off Coleman Camping & Hiking Gear
• Save Up To 40% on Select Victorinox Knives
• Up to 25% Off Select Men’s Exercise & Fitness Tops
• Up to 25% Off Select Women’s Exercise & Fitness Tops
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• Up to 25% Off Select Women’s Exercise & Fitness Shorts
• Up to 50% Off Select Top-Rated Compression Clothing
• 40% off Columbia Outdoor Clothing

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Well it looks like its officially warming up. Just a reminder to everyone to check the weather forecast before you head out on your hike, and make sure you have lots and lots of water and appropriate sun protection on your hikes!

Next Sunday you can join the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers at Palomar Mountain State Park to enjoy a hike along the Thunder Spring/Chimney Flats trails. This is an intermediate 4 mile hike with elevation change of up to 1000 feet. Enjoy a picturesque trail to Thunder Spring while hiking through bracken fern, oaks, and conifers. There are some steep elevation gains/losses as well as plenty of poison oak along the trail. Visit the Canyoneers web page for more information, or visit our Events Page to find even more upcoming hikes and activities.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors recently approved the purchase of an additional 175 acres of land to connect the east and west portions of the Santa Ysabel Preserve. Hopefully this means some new trails are in our future!

Get ready for some outdoor adventures with this week’s deals from Amazon:

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Hello Hikers!

I hope everyone got out on Saturday to enjoy National Trails Day! It looks like the weather is starting to warm up so make sure you check the local forecast when planning your upcoming hikes. Always make sure you have plenty of water and sunscreen, and it might be time to start planning for early morning or late afternoon hikes to beat the worst of the heat. Of course you can always enjoy a nice coastal hike if you’re looking for cooler temps and a refreshing breeze.

If a coastal hike sounds appealing, next Saturday you can enjoy a Wildlife Walk along the Rios Avenue Trail with the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy. Blue-eyed grass, lupine and California sunflower begin to splash the hillsides with color. Focus binoculars and cameras for opportunities to see Cormorants on the power poles at the inlet, Osprey, waterfowl, and the rare Ridgway’s (Clapper) Rail. This is San Elijo Lagoon’s south side, featuring riparian woodlands and coastal sage scrub, with intimate views of the salt marsh. Visit the Conservancy’s web site for more information, or check out our Events Page to find even more upcoming activities.

The Times of San Diego has a great article on the new section of the Coastal Meander Trail that has just opened in La Jolla. This is a 380-foot section of stairways and pathways leading from La Jolla Shores Drive down to a bluff overlooking the Scripps Pier. This is part of a longer trail connected to the California Coastal Trail. It looks like there are some amazing views!

And the Union Tribune reports that a small expansion of the Iron Mountain parking lot has been approved. They will add 20 spaces to the often crowded parking lot. While this obviously isn’t a complete solution to the trail’s parking woes, at least its a step in the right direction.

Here’s this week’s roundup of Amazon’s best outdoor deals:

• 40% off Garmin GPSMAP 64st, TOPO U.S. 100K with High-Sensitivity GPS and GLONASS Receiver
• $10 off $50 Purchase of Select Northstar Sports Gear
• Up to 40% Off Select Kids Tents & Sleeping Bags
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• 40% off Columbia Outdoor Clothing

Did you know you can receive our latest blog posts via email? Sign up here and you can make sure you never miss out on our latest trail write-ups. You can unsubscribe at any time if you wish to stop receiving emails.

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Well, we finally had a dry weekend, and this persistent May Gray/June Gloom is making for some fantastic hiking weather. It looks like we should have similar conditions for the week ahead. If you’re craving some sunshine, try heading up to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Pine Valley or the Mount Laguna area to escape the marine layer and replenish your Vitamin D!

Speaking of Cuyamaca, next Saturday the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers will be leading a hike to Airplane Monument. This is an intermediate 5 mile hike with elevation change of up to 1000 feet. There are scenic views along the trail to the monument, which marks the site of the 1922 crash of Lt. Col. F.C. Marshal and 1st Lt. C.L. Weber. The memorial is a 12-cylinder engine mounted in stone. For more information, go to the Canyoneers’ web site, or check out our Events Page for even more upcoming hikes!

Here are some other fun happenings this weekend:

• Tecolote Family Day at the Tecolote Nature Center: Live snake presentation, scavenger hunt, face painting, arts & crafts, and more! June 6, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Tecolote Nature Center, 5180 Tecolote Road, San Diego, 92110. Call 858-581-9959 for more information.
• Hike it Off Clothing website launch party at the Fallbrook Brewing Company: 20% of beer sales will be donated to the Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park, plus a raffle and Wayne Gregory (founder of Gregory Backpacks) will be there. June 6, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

If you’re looking for some camping or outdoor gear, checkout the latest deals at Amazon:

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• Save $20 When You Buy $100 of Select Alps Gear
• $10 off $50 Purchase of Select Northstar Sports Gear
• 40% off Columbia Outdoor Clothing
• 15% Off Dorcy Flashlights

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Happy Memorial Day! While I’m thrilled to have a 3-day weekend and welcome the official start of summer, we need to take a moment to remember what today is really about: today we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and died while serving in the armed forces. Freedom is not free.

In honor of Memorial Day, California State Parks are offering free admission to Veterans, Active Duty and Reserve Military personnel today.

One of my favorite things about a 3-day weekend is a 4-day work week. If you’re already thinking about next weekend, consider a hike at the Santa Ysabel Preserve East Side next Sunday. Join preserve staff on a hike around the Kanaka Loop trail. Meet at the Farmer Road staging area. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed. Please wear appropriate hiking attire, including a hat and light jacket. Bring water and snacks for along the trail. Inclement weather will cancel event. Check out the County of San Diego Parks and Recreation Guide for more information, or visit our Events Page for even more upcoming hikes.

Here’s the latest outdoor deals from Amazon:

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• $10 off $50 Purchase of Select Northstar Sports Gear

And if you’re looking for some healthy snacks to take on your hikes, now through May 29 Vitacost.com is giving an extra 15% off KIND bars. KIND bars are non-GMO, gluten free, and are amazingly delicious. First time customers to Vitacost can also get $10 off their first order of $30 or more when you sign up here.

Hello Hikers!

According to the National Weather Service, this is now the second wettest May in San Diego on record! While we’ve still got a long way to go to ease the drought conditions, anything is helpful. It looks like the temperatures should remain pretty cool for the upcoming week so it should be great weather for hiking.

Take advantage of the cool weather next weekend with an Interpretive Nature Hike at Lake Morena County Park. During the hike you will learn about native plants in the area, and how the Kumeyaay Indians utilized the natural vegetation in their daily lives. You will also learn the history of Lake Morena. Before the hike there will be a short talk about snakes and storm water. The hike lasts about an hour and a half. Call in advance to verify the hike start time. Visit the County of San Diego Parks and Recreation Guide for more information, or check out our Events Page to find even more upcoming hikes and activities.

Memorial Day is next weekend! Are you ready for summer adventure? Amazon has some great deals on popular outdoor brands this week to help you prepare:

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And don’t forget some healthy snacks for your next hike! Vitacost.com has lots of snack/energy bars,trail mix,  and other healthy snack foods that are perfect to take along on your hike to keep yourself fueled. And, if you sign up through this link, you can get $10 off your first purchase of $30 or more!

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

We had some unusual but much appreciated precipitation last week, I hope everyone had a good weekend and got some good hiking in. Did anyone get out to play in the snow?

Next Saturday is Explore Mission Trails Day! Come out and celebrate one of San Diego’s most well-known regional parks. There will be a variety of activities suitable for the whole family, including nature walks, a climbing wall, and pony rides. Visit the Mission Trails Regional Park website for more details, or check out our Events Page for even more upcoming activities.

We mentioned a few weeks ago that the City of Poway was working on plans to acquire additional land near Iron Mountain and link several trail networks including Iron Mountain, Dos Picos Park, Mount Woodson, and Lake Poway. Part of this initiative involves building a pedestrian bridge over State Route 67. The City of Poway has recently launched an online survey to determine how many people would use such a bridge if it were built, so click on over and let your opinion be heard! The survey also includes a map showing the location of the proposed bridge, as well as a proposed trail leading to Dos Picos Park!

Right now at Amazon you can save $25 when you spend $100 on Platypus, MSR, Therm-a-Rest & more. Included are MSR’s popular lightweight PocketRocket backpacking stove, numerous water filters, SeaLine dry bags, and tons of other gear to get you ready for summer adventures!

And there are even more great deals at Amazon this week:

• Merrell Men’s Shoes, Clothing, & Accessories Under $50
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Have a good week!

Hello Hikers, and May the Fourth be with you!

We’ve got lots of exciting things to look forward to this month:

• This Sunday, May 3, is a full moon! Moonrise is at 7:21 pm so get out for a moonlit nighttime hike! Some popular full moon destinations include Iron Mountain and Cowles Mountain.
• May 9 – 10 and 16 – 17 are San Diego River Days. Over these two weekends there will be more than 30 events held at various locations along the San Diego River. There will be guided hikes, volunteer opportunities, educational events, a 5k, and more! Check out the San Diego River Days website for all the details!
• May 16 is Explore Mission Trails Day – there will be guided nature walks, outdoor recreation demonstrations, public safety information, and a variety of kid-friendly activities including pony rides and crafts. Visit the Mission Trails Regional Park website for more information.
• May 25 is Memorial Day! Hopefully you get an extra day off work to go hiking!

And don’t forget next Sunday, May 10th is Mother’s Day! After you cook her breakfast, why not take mom out on the Oakoasis County Stroll? 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. Check out the County Parks and Recreation Guide for more information, or visit our Events Page for even more upcoming activities.

Now through May 25, you can Save More when you Spend More at Amazon’s Great Outdoors Savings Event:

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• Spend $75, save an extra 20%
• Spend $100, save an extra 25%

Amazon has a couple of other new deals this week as well:

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• Save $20 on Your $100 Purchase of Select Quik Shade Products and More

Hello Hikers!

Well that was some interesting weather for April! I certainly appreciate any precipitation we can get these days, but it looks like we should be back to our regularly scheduled sunshine and mildly warm temperatures for the next week.

Take advantage of the nice weather next Saturday and join the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers for a special hike on the Boulder Mountain Road Private Nature Trail. This is an easy 4 mile hike with elevation change of up to 200 feet. The owner of this private property has given the Canyoneers special permission to lead a hike on this date only. Please join us at this Poway location with an exceptional variety of native plants. Visit the Canyoneers’ web site for more information, or check out our Events Page for more upcoming hikes and activities.

Another segment of the growing San Diego River trail has been completed. The Walker Preserve Trail in Santee was officially opened last Thursday. We’re looking forward to checking it out. If you’ve already visited, please leave us a comment and let us know what you think!

Under Armour Outlet has just added new items! Check them out before they’re gone.

If you’re looking to upgrade your car camping set up, Amazon currently has a nice deal on pop-up shades: Save $20 on Your $100 Purchase of Select Quik Shade Products and More.

Have a good week!