Hello Hikers!

Don’t forget this Saturday is Valentine’s Day, so celebrate with a Valentine’s Day Hike! What better place to tell your significant other “I Love You” than on the trails of Daley Ranch? Meet Naturalist William Sherrard for just such an occasion. You will be furnished with a map of the trails with pre-selected hikes—it can be 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, or 14 miles in length – your choice! The normally planned hike is between eight and ten miles in length and lasts about four hours. We will have a moderately paced hike on the trails of Daley Ranch. Check out the City of Escondido website for more info, or visit our Events page for even more awesome hikes for you and your special someone.

The US Forest Service recently released their Annual Fire Outlook Report and the predictions aren’t good. They are forecasting a higher number of grass fires this spring and below average rainfall for the rest of the season. San Diego 6 has a story here.

Today and tomorrow (February 9 – 10), you can get a subscription to Popular Photography for only $4.99/year from DiscountMags.com! Use Promo Code: 3902

Wednesday and Thursday (February 10 – 11), you can get a subscription to Outside Magazine for only $4.99/year from DiscountMags.com! Use Promo Code: 3295

Amazon has all kinds of great deals for us this week on running and hiking gear:

• Up to 50% Off Fitness Headphones
• Over 60% Off High Sierra Tech Series Titan 65 Frame Packs
• Up to 40% Off Men’s Hiking and Trail Shoe
• Up to 30% Off Under Armour Training Clothing
• Up to 40% Off Select Women’s Running Jackets
• Up to 35% Off Select Men’s Running Jackets
• 30% or More Off Top-Rated Carhartt Gear
• 50% Off or More Active Jackets
• Up to 40% Off Women’s Hiking and Trail Shoes
• 30% Off Top Rated Compression Clothing
• 50% Off or More Active Pants

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Welcome to February! Start making plans now, because President’s Day weekend, February 14 – 16, there will be free admission to all National Parks. President’s Day, February 16, will be a fee-free day in the National Forests. A long weekend and free admission? You have no excuse not to go for a hike!

But you don’t have to wait for President’s Day. Next weekend you can go out with the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers to hike the Bow Willow – Rockhouse Canyon Loop in Anza-Borrego. This is an intermediate (plus extra challenges) 8 mile hike with elevation change of up to 1000 feet. This is a moderately strenuous hike over some well-marked trails. Hearty desert plants like cholla, ocotillo, and creosote bush are likely to be seen on the way to a rock shack, watering trough, and pipeline leading to a seasonal spring and waterfall. Part of the journey requires boulder hopping and some simple route finding. For more information, visit the Canyoneers web page, or visit our Events Page to find even more upcoming hikes and activities.

Mission Trails has announced that the South Climber’s Loop Trail is now open after extensive renovation following last summer’s fire.

Wednesday and Thursday only, Subscribe to Field & Stream Magazine for just $4.99/year from DiscountMags.com! Use Promo Code: 1812 

Today only, get an extra 25% off your entire purchase + Free Shipping & Returns on all orders (includes sale & clearance items) at Eddie Bauer. Use code: SUPER.

Get your free membership to LeftLane Sports, and check out their awesome sale on Clif Bars. Hurry! Sale ends 2/7.

Have a good weekend!

Hello Hikers!

I hope everyone survived the windy weekend and got out for some hiking! It looks like there’s a chance of some rain this week. We could certainly use it so I say bring it on!

If the weather cooperates next weekend, head out to the Tijuana Estuary for an afternoon Bird Walk on Sunday. Take a leisurely stroll down the McCoy Trail and view and learn about some of the 370 species of birds that live or stop by this Reserve on their yearly migration. Walks begin at the Visitor Center unless otherwise noted on calendar. Bring binoculars if you have them. All ages welcome. No reservations required. Visit the Tijuana River National Esuarine Research Reserve’s calendar for more information, or visit our Events Page for even more upcoming hikes and activities.

ABC 10 has a story explaining how the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has set traps in a canyon area near the 4800 block of East Alder Drive in Kensington to catch a coyote that bit a jogger. The jogger was not seriously injured but is undergoing a series of rabies shots as a precautionary measure. This is VERY unusual behavior for a coyote, who are normally extremely leery of humans. According to the article, the next few months are pupping season for coyotes, so they may be more protective than usual. If you happen to visit that canyon area, be cautious of both coyotes and traps, especially if you have a dog or children with you.

The Del Mar Times has an article discussing the fate of the boardwalk near San Dieguito Lagoon. The California Coastal Commission wants the boardwalk moved in order to open more area for wetland restoration, while other groups, including the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy and the cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach, are objecting.

In another story from ABC 10, a 15 year old boy was bitten by what was believed to be a rattlesnake while hiking at Mission Trails Sunday afternoon. His condition is unknown.

Amazon still has some great deals on outdoor gear and hiking shoes:

• Up to 20% Off Select Outdoor Gear
• Up to 40% Off Men’s Cold Weather Boots
• Up to 40% Off Women’s Cold Weather Boots
• Up to 40% Off Men’s Hiking and Trail Shoes
• Up to 40% Off Women’s Hiking and Trail Shoes
• Save 55% or More on Select Nathan Hydration Vests

RockyMountainTrail.com is having a PrAna Season Ending Sale, Up To 40% Off.

Eddie Bauer has All Winter Outerwear 40% Off, plus free shipping on orders of $99 or more when you use code GOOSE.

Have a good week!

Hello 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:

• Up to 30% Off Select Water Bottles & Hydration Gear
• Up to 40% Off Men’s Cold Weather Boots
• Up to 50% Off Select Backpacks & Bags
• Up to 40% Off Men’s Hiking and Trail Shoes and Boots
• Up to 20% Off Select Outdoor Gear
• Up to 40% Off Women’s Cold Weather Boots
• Save at Least 25% on Helly Hansen Apparel
• Up to 40% Off Women’s Hiking and Trail Shoes and Boots

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

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Yet another Monday is upon us. I’m very appreciative of the rain we’ve been getting, but it would be slightly more convenient if we could arrange to have it rain during the week when I’m stuck at work, and the weekends could be nice and clear. Someone want to take care of that for me? Thanks!

I hope that in spite of the drizzly weather on Sunday everyone had a chance to get out and hike. So far, the forecast for the next week looks perfect. If you’re trying to decide what to do next weekend, consider heading out on Saturday with the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers to explore Indian Hill in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.  This is an intermediate 6 mile hike (plus extra challenges) with elevation change of up to 1000 feet. Hike through hillsides of teddy bear cholla and barrel cactus to the remains of a primitive 1912 railroad camp. Directions: (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park) From I-8, exit on S2 (Imperial Hwy.) at Ocotillo. Go northwest (left) on S2 for 8.7 miles, turning left onto Mortero Wash. Meet the Canyoneer host there. They will consolidate into 4WD or high-clearance vehicles to reach the trailhead. No facilities. Check out the Canyoneer’s web page for more information, or visit our Events Page to see all the other activities that are going on.

Other awesome things going on next weekend include Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday the 19th. Hopefully you’ve got the day off, because  this is the first FREE National Park Entrance Day for 2015. This is some great desert weather right now, so you might want to consider a day trip to our nearest National Park Joshua Tree. If that’s too long of a drive for you, you could go to Cabrillo National Monument to look for whales (we’re in the middle of peak migration season) or hike the Bayside Trail. It’s also a free day for National Forest entry, which means no Adventure Passes are required.

Hopefully you’ve got some Christmas money or gift cards leftover, because Amazon has some great deals on hiking gear this week:

• Up to 50% select backpacks and bags (Includes some High Sierra, Gregory, and Osprey packs, among others.)
• Up to 30% Off Select Water Bottles & Hydration Gear
• Get Outside: Up to 20% Off Select Outdoor Gear
• Up to 40% Off Women’s Hiking and Trail Shoes (Merrell, Vasque, Keen, and more!)
• Up to 40% Off Men’s Hiking and Trail Shoes (Salomon, Vasque, Lowa, and more!)

Looking for even more deals on gear? Save up to 40% on past seasons Columbia Gear only at Altrec.com!

And if you’re looking for some healthy snacks to take along on your hikes, check out Vitacost.com. If you sign up through this link, new customers can get a coupon for $10 off their first order of $30 or more, plus free shipping on all orders over $49. My favorite are Luna bars, (Chocolate Peppermint Stick? Yes please!) but they’ve got tons of other good trail snacks too.

Have a good week!

Happy New Year Hikers!

It’s been a great start so far to the new year. Did anyone else get out to play in the snow? We did a short trip to Cuyamaca on New Year’s Day to hike down to Green Valley Falls. We had a great time, but it was a good thing we went out early since traffic in the afternoon was a nightmare. We left Cuyamaca around noon and saw eastbound traffic on 8 was backed up all the way from 79 to El Cajon! Yikes.

It looks like we should start seeing some warmer temperatures over the next week, so it should be perfect for some outdoor adventures. Ready to start planning next weekend’s hike? How about a Wildlife Walk along the Santa Helena Trail at the San Elijo Lagoon Saturday morning? Access the heart of the East Basin where you can view westward over the lagoon from an elevated mesa. Through patches of coastal sage scrub and grasslands, we hike west to find remnant salt-tolerant plants and coast cholla. Bring binoculars to scan for shorebirds probing the mud, and raptors preying from above. Trailgoers might see a patient Great Egret uncoil its neck in a quick snap to catch a fish. Visit the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy calendar for more information, or visit our Events Page for even more upcoming hikes and activities.

NBC 7 has a report about a creeper who’s been hiding in the bushes and following women around the path at Lake Miramar. Apparently, the man has been identified and police have spoken to him, but since he hasn’t actually committed a crime there isn’t much that can be done about him at this point.

On a completely unrelated subject, Amazon has SABRE Pepper Spray on sale this week, and its eligible for FREE super saver shipping when you spend $35 or more.

If you’re looking to get some new hiking gear for your best friend, check out Wag.com. They’ve got all kinds of packs, collars, leashes, travel bowls, and more to help your four-legged hiking partner out on the trail. Right now, new customers can get 25% off their first order using the code SKRA2183.

Have a good week!

Hello 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!

Hello Hikers!

Welcome to the second day of winter! In many places across the US, winter means its time to put away your hiking boots and stay inside by the fireplace for the next few months. Fortunately in San Diego, hiking season is in full swing this time of year! The temperatures are perfect, and our recent rains have caused the hillsides to start erupting into a lovely shade of green.

If you’re thinking of celebrating Christmas with a little outdoor time, you’re in luck! Daley Ranch is holding their 9th Annual Christmas Hike at 8am Christmas Day. Join Naturalist Lee Dezan on a 3.5 mile hike, lasting about 3-3.5 hours. Three pond sites will be visited and the external Ranch House renovation will be viewed. Wear layered clothing and bring at least 2 liters of water. Treaded footwear is recommended, along with a wide brim hat. Binoculars are always handy as we usually see many birds. OK for leashed dogs. Rain never cancels. Free parking at the La Honda trailhead. Check out the Daley Ranch web site for more details, or visit our Events Page to find even more upcoming hikes and activities.

If you’re not done with your Christmas shopping yet, you’re cutting it close. But with Amazon Prime, you can get free two-day shipping and still make the deadline if you order today! Right now they’re also offering a great Spend More, Save More deal on select outdoor products.  Spend $50 and save an extra 10%, spend $75 and save an extra 15%, and save an extra %20 when you spend $100 or more. The list includes some great gift items for hikers, like:

• Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle, 1-Quart
• Sawyer Products Squeezable Pouches
• Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System
• Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
• Light My Fire Original Swedish FireSteel Army 12,000 Strike Fire Starter – Red
• Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Pole

Today only, you can get a subscription to Field & Stream for just $4.50 a year from DiscountMags.com! Use Promo Code: 3041

Tomorrow, you can get a subscription to Popular Photography for just $4.99 a year from DiscountMags.com! Use Promo Code: 8129

Happy Holidays and have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Mother Nature was quite kind to give us a clear weekend in between rainstorms, so I hope everyone got out and got their hike on this weekend! It looks like we’re in for some more rain mid-week, but hopefully it should be clear again by next weekend.

And clear weather is what we want for Winter Solstice! Next Sunday, join the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers as they ascend Cowles Mountain in near-darkness to watch the sunrise on the first day of winter. Their viewing spot is a Kumeyaay solstice observatory, about halfway up the mountain. Meet at the trail head at the corner of Golfcrest Drive and Navajo Road at 6 am. Check out the Canyoneers’ web page for more information, or visit our Events Page to find other hikes and activities!

Are you still working on your Holiday shopping? You’ve only got 10 days left, but fear not, we’ve totally got you covered. Check out our Holiday Gift Guide for some of our favorite gift ideas, or explore some of the other awesome new deals we’ve found for you:

• Shop our Holiday Specials Sale and save up to 60% on tens of thousands of products! Only at Altrec.com!
• Shop Eddie Bauer’s Top 10 Gifts For Men and  Top 10 Gifts For Women
• You can’t go wrong with a subscription to Backpacker Magazine
  

• Shop the Teva Gift Guides for Men and Women and Find the Perfect Gifts for Everyone on Your List!
• Check out The Under Armour Gift Guide + Free Shipping On $25+ with Code UAHOLIDAY25
• Amazon has some great deals on Outdoor Clothing & Accessories: Spend More, Save More
• Get $10 Off $50 on Select Victorinox Knives

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

I hope everyone got to hit the trails this weekend and enjoy the post-rain beauty. We hiked El Cajon Mountain and my legs are still sore!

If you are NOT into long hikes that leave your legs aching and wobbly, there’s still lots to do! Next Sunday you can check out the Bird and Butterfly Walk at Tijuana River Valley Regional Park. This is a docent led, one hour interpretive walk through the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, Bird and Butterfly Garden. The walk is led by Joan Brooks who has a great deal of knowledge about the local birds and plants in our area. The walk is free and open to the general public and is geared towards kids and adults. It is best to bring hats and sunscreen. Binoculars are also recommended for viewing the birds. For questions or to confirm the walk is still on: 619-428-2946. Check out the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve’s calendar for more information, or visit our Events page for more upcoming activities throughout the county.

Don’t miss this deal! Today only, Eddie Bauer is offering 40% Off Your Entire Purchase + Free Shipping & Returns on All Orders. Use Promo Code: GREEN

Need some cold weather gear? Right now Under Armour has 25% Off Select ColdGear Baselayer + Free Shipping, No Minimum.

If you’re looking for some good stocking stuffers, Amazon’s got some nice deals on hats and socks this week, as well as other outdoor goodies:

• Buy 2 Pairs of Teko Socks, Get 1 Pair Free
• 25% Off Thorlo Socks
• Under $20 Men’s Cold-Weather Accessories
• $20 Off $100: ALPS Mountaineering Products
• Save on Select Apparel from Columbia, Icebreaker, Outdoor Research & prAna

If you are looking for more gift ideas, check out our Holiday Gift Guide – some of our favorite gear and guides for the San Diego Hiker on your list!

Have a good week!