Hello Hikers!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and was able to get out for some awesome hikes over the long weekend. It’s hard to believe, but it’s already December. The holidays mean different things to different people, but to me its all about getting more time off work to go hiking!

If you haven’t seen the weather forecast for this week, looks like we’re going to get some actual rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hopefully this is a sign of a wet winter ahead!

Ready to start planning next weekend? How about checking out the Red Hill Nature Hike at Sweetwater Summit Regional Park. Join a ranger-led hike at Red Hill featuring a mild 1.5 mile walk. The ranger will point out interesting topics, history, native plants, and points of interest. Bring water, a hat, a walking stick and binoculars. Groups and clubs welcome. Meet at the flagpole next to the ranger station. Check out the County Parks & Recreation Activity and Program Guide for more information, or visit our Events Page to find even more activities going on next weekend.

Well, today is Cyber Monday, which apparently means you’re supposed to buy stuff. If you’re in the market for some new hiking gear or photography equipment, you should be able to score some nice deals today. Here’s a couple deals we spotted at Amazon that might pique your interest:

• $20 Off $100: ALPS Mountaineering Products
• Save up to $125 on Manfrotto Tripods & Bags
• Save $420 on the Nikon D5200 Digital SLR Two Lens Bundle
• Up to 40% Off Top Rated Compression Clothing
• Yoga Gifts Under $25
• Spend More, Save More on Select Cold-Weather Clothing
• Carhartt Women’s Gear Under $40

Here’s some more Cyber Monday deals and codes from other retailers:

• Altrec.com: Shop our Cyber Monday Sale and save up to 60% on tens of thousands of products! Only at Altrec.com!
• DiscountMags.com: Cyber Monday Sales at DiscountMags.com! Pick 3 for $12, 5 for $18, or 10 for $30!
• Eddie Bauer: Cyber Monday: 30% Off Your Entire Purchase + Free Shipping & Returns on All Orders. Use Code FROSTY.
• RockyMountain.com: Hiking Gear up to 50% off
• Teva: Teva Holiday Offer! Get one free pair of Men’s or Women’s Mush® II flip flops with any purchase of $75 or more plus receive Free Shipping on all orders!
• Under Armour: Limited Time: Free Shipping, No Minimum. Get the gear that’s on every athlete’s list.

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Who’s ready for Thanksgiving? I’m thankful for a long holiday weekend I can spend out on the trails, and all of our awesome readers we can share our adventures with. Whatever your Thanksgiving plans are, I hope you’re able to get outside and have some fun.

You can burn off some of those extra pie-induced calories next Saturday morning on a Discover Daley Ranch Hike.  Meet Naturalist Bill Sherrard for a moderately paced hike on the trails of Daley Ranch. The planned hike is between 8 and 10 miles in length and will last for approximately 4 hours. We recommend you bring a minimum of two liters of water and wear layered clothing as it will be cool in the mornings and warmer as the hike continues. Visit the City of Escondido’s Daley Ranch page for more info, or check out our Events Page for even more fun post-Turkey Day hikes!

Don’t spend the day after Thanksgiving at the mall when you could be out hiking and having fun instead. Instead, get your holiday shopping done this week online while you’re at work! There’s already a bunch of great deals to be had at some of our favorite outdoor retailers:

• Altrec.com‘s Pre Black Friday Sale is on NOW: Shop our Pre Black Friday Sale and save up to 60% on tens of thousands of products! Only at Altrec.com!
• The Under Armour Gift Guide. This gear’s on their list. Trust us. Shop Now.
• Eddie Bauer Sale: Shop Now.
• RockyMountain.com – Hiking Gear up to 50% off

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

I don’t know about the rest of you, but we’ve been busy busy busy. We’re taking advantage of the cooler temps by hitting the trails, as well as gearing up for the impending Thanksgiving holiday. And sadly, there’s that whole going to work thing too. Somewhere in there we’re squeezing in editing photos and writing up trip reports for the blog. We spent a couple of days last weekend at Anza-Borrego State Park, so stay tuned for some deserty goodness in the coming weeks!

In the meantime, you should totally start planning your next adventure. Next Sunday you can head to Daley Ranch for an East Side Overview hike. Naturalist Donna Tierney will lead a new hike on the east side of the ranch to take in all the overviews. The highlights will be spectacular views of Dixon Lake, Stanley Peak, Mallard and Middle ponds, and the ranch house. You will learn about the diverse geography and see many of the native plants on this 4-mile-loop hike that will last approximately 2 ½ hours. Check out the City of Escondido’s Daley Ranch web page for more information, our visit our Events Page to check out the many other hikes and events that are going on.

Mission Trails Regional Park has announced that the Kwaay Paay Summit trail will be temporarily closed from November 12 – December 18 for restoration work to repair damage caused by the fire last July.

If you’re looking to get a jump on your holiday shopping, check out some of these deals Amazon has going on:

• Up to 20% Off Select Water Bottles & Hydration
• Up to 50% Off Select Women’s Pants (includes outdoor and fitness pants)
• Up to 40% Off Select Lights & Lanterns
• Up to 50% Off Select Men’s Tops
• Adjustable Premium Paracord Bracelet with Fire Starter only $7.49 (great stocking stuffer)
• Yoga Gifts Under $25
• Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife from $10.29 (also a great stocking stuffer)
• Up to 40% Off Select Men’s Jackets
• Up to 50% Off Select Women’s Jackets

Another great gift idea for the outdoor person on your list is a subscription to Backpacker Magazine. This Wednesday (November 19), you can get a subscription to Backpacker Magazine for just $4.50/year from DiscountMags.com when you use promo code 5715.

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day! I would like to take a moment to thank all the Veterans and Active Duty Service Members out there (including my husband and favorite hiking partner) for their service. It’s easy to take their sacrifices for granted, but these people give up months or years of their lives away from their families and put their lives on the line so the rest of us can enjoy our freedom. Thank you all!

In honor of Veteran’s Day, the National Forest Service is waiving entrance fees for the long weekend, from November 8th – November 11th. This means you can skip the Adventure Pass when you head out to areas in the Cleveland National Forest. Here’s a couple suggested hikes in the Laguna Mountain area if you’re thinking of heading out there.

Not to be outdone, all National Parks are offering free admission on Veteran’s day (November 11th). Joshua Tree is not too far for a reasonable day trip, and the forecast’s looking pretty good out there with a high around 80 degrees. If you’d rather stay closer to home, you could check out Cabrillo National Monument for some hiking, history, and tide pool fun!

And there’s still more free admission for Veterans and Active Duty military at California State Parks. You’ll need to show valid Military ID or your DD-214.

And of course we can’t have a major federal holiday without some sales, so if you’re looking for some new gear or trail food check out these promotions:

• Save an extra 20% on clearance clothing and footwear at REI.com – Valid 11/8 – 11/11
• Save 5% on Wise Company Freeze-Dried Food! (valid until November 13, 2014)
• A Special Veteran’s Day Gift for Those Who Protect Our House: 15% Off for Veterans & Service Members at UnderArmour.com
• Teva.com – Get Free 2 Day Shipping on all orders of $40 or more with code T2DAYSHIPFALL.
• Free Shipping Over $50 at Altrec.com!
• Get $10 off your first order over $30, plus free shipping on all orders over $49 at Vitacost.com

If you would like to support Veterans in need with your purchase, as well as support our website, check out The Veterans Site over at GreaterGood.com.

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Welcome to November, complete with actual bona fide rain! Hopefully this weekend’s weather is a sign of what’s in store for us this winter, and we’ll have some full streams, cascading waterfalls, and abundant wildflowers come springtime. Not to mention we can finally start showering again.

November also means we’ve got some holidays to look forward to. November 11th is Veteran’s Day, when admission to National Parks will be free. National Forests will have free admission for the entire weekend, November 8th – 11th. That might be a good weekend to head out to the Mount Laguna area to get your hike on!

And of course November 28th is Thanksgiving, which means a nice long weekend to hit the trails while everyone else is at the mall buying crap!

Right now the forecast says it should be clear and sunny next weekend, so start making plans! On Saturday, you can enjoy a short hike up Ghost Mountain in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Experience the Marshal South story on this trek up Ghost Mountain with Volunteer Naturalist Dan Leidecker. The hike is steep but relatively short (one mile up, one mile down) and offers a glimpse into the family’s life on this remote mountain top. Bring water, a snack, hat and sturdy footwear. Meet at the entrance to Blair Valley, about a 45 minute drive from the Visitor Center. Check out the Anza-Borrego State Park Interpretive Activities Guide for more information, or visit our Events Page to find more upcoming activities.

If you’re looking for some new gear for fall, Amazon has some good sales this week:

• Up to 20% Off Water Bottles & Hydration
• Up to 35% Off Tents
• Up to 35% Off Sleeping Bags
• Up to 25% Off Camp Bedding & Air Mattresses
• Up to 50% Off Select Snow Sports Clothing
• Save 25% or More on Carhartt for Women

Have you checked out LeftLane Sports yet? Membership is free, and once you join you can save up to 70% off top brands of outdoor gear. Plus you get free shipping on orders over $75!

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Can you believe its almost November already?? We’re getting into prime hiking season with the cooler weather. Unfortunately the days are getting shorter too. At least next weekend is the end of this silliness known as Daylight Savings Time and we get an extra hour to sleep and/or hike!

If you’re looking for a constructive use of your extra hour, or a way to burn off some of those post-Halloween calories, check out the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers hike at William Heise County Park on Sunday:  Intermediate 5 mile hike with elevation change up to 1000 feet. Forests of oak, pine, and cedar are found in this 929-acre park that is one of the few county-run parks to have snowfall each year. Be prepared for temperature changes. Check out the Canyoneers’ web page for more information, or visit our Events Page for more activities.

The Union Tribune recently had a story about two arrests that have been made related to vehicle break-ins at trail heads in Mount Laguna. Its always best to avoid leaving any valuables in your car while you’re out hiking.

Also in the news is this story from NBC San Diego, which reports on a new trail being built at the Walker Preserve. This new trail will link Santee and Lakeside along the San Diego River, and will close a large gap in the ever growing 52 mile San Diego River Trail. The trail is expected to be completed in the next few months!

Today only, you can get a subscription to Backpacker Magazine for just $4.50 a year from DiscountMags.com. Use promo code 6972 at checkout.

And now that the weather is starting to finally cool off, it’s time to start thinking about a new hoodie! Shop Under Armour Hoodies. We’re just getting warmed up.

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Another lovely weekend is behind us, which means its time to start planning next weekend! It sounds like it might be getting warmer this week with the possibility of some mild Santa Ana winds. This might be a good weekend to plan a morning hike, or head out to Mount Laguna where the temps look like they’ll still be pretty cool. Just be aware of the increased fire danger that accompanies those pesky Santa Anas!

Another good destination would be Palomar Mountain State Park. The forecast is calling for cool temperatures up there as well, and Sunday is the 2014 Palomar Apple Festival. The Festival will feature delicious apple goodies like pie and cider (guests are invited to bring their own treats to share), live folk music and square dancing, arts & crafts for the kids, games, and period re-enactors. And, most importantly, admission to the park will be free that day! Check out the Friends of Palomar State Park web site for more information.

If you’re looking for something a bit closer to home, try a Nature Walk at the Tijuana Estuary on Saturday morning. Discover the native plants of the Tijuana Estuary on this tour led by a very knowledgeable docent. Docents will be happy to answer your questions as well as give you an overview description of an estuary. Meet at the reception desk in the Visitor Center to begin your tour. Visit the Tijuana Estuary calendar for more information, or check out our Events Page for more things to do!

New Vitacost customers can get $10 off any order of $30 or more if you sign up using this link. Vitacost has a wide selection of meal bars that make great snacks when you’re on the trail.

Check out RockyMountain.com’s Clearance Sale – The North Face, JanSport, Columbia & more up to 60% off!

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Well the weather was certainly much more cooperative this weekend, I hope everyone was able to get out and get their hike on!

It’s only a couple of weeks until Halloween! You can get in the spirit (haha) this weekend with a couple of Halloween-themed hikes and activities at some of our County Parks:

• San Elijo Lagoon will be holding their Not-So-Scary Estuary days on Saturday and Sunday from 1pm – 4pm. Meet creepy, crawly, and hooting animals this Halloween. Costumes are encouraged! Conservancy volunteers and county rangers will treat guests to a rare glimpse into the wonders of wetlands. Kids can create lollipop spiders and animal facemasks, feel animal pelts, and make animal tracks in the sand. Go trick-or-treating along the “Haunted Hike” nature trail—a photo opportunity and experience not to be missed! more info
• Dos Picos Regional Park will be having Haunted Trail Hikes this Saturday from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. During this time of year the woods come to life with creatures natural and supernatural. Meet the rangers and spirit guides in the day use parking lot by the light at the restroom. Guided hikes last about 20 minutes and cover some challenging terrain. Wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes. Bring a flashlight and an adult. Event and parking are FREE! more info

Or if those sound a little to scary for you, you can enjoy a laid-back Bird Walk at the Tijuana Estuary this Sunday at 3pm. It’s fall migration time so there’s probably a lot of cool critters to see! 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 Estuary’s Calendar for more information, or check out our Events Page for more upcoming hikes and activities.

Need some warmer gear now that fall is finally approaching? Right now RockyMountainTrail.com is offerrng 20% Off One Full Priced Item With Promo Code fall20

Amazon has a few good deals this week as well:

• 25% or more off select merino wool products
• Save up to 50% on Select High Sierra Backpacks
• Midland LXT650VP3 36 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio for $49.99
• 25% or more off select outdoor socks
• 33% off Magellan eXplorist 610 Waterproof Hiking GPS

Now through October 16, you can get FREE Emergency Supplies plus FREE shipping on Long-Term Food Kits at WiseFoodStorage.com!

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Welcome to October! I hereby declare an end to summer and its accompanying unpleasantly hot temperatures. From now on it will be cool and pleasant, with an occasional moderate breeze.  Promise.

In addition to pleasant fall weather, October has lots of other cool stuff to look forward to, including:

• October 12 – 16 is National Wildlife Refuge Week! To kick it off, this Sunday, October 12 is Animals on the Bay Day at the Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista. There will be free admission and numerous special activities for the whole family. More information
• October 26 is the Palomar Apple Festival. There will be free admission to Palomar Mountain State Park all day, plus fun festival activities from 11 am to 4 pm. More information

We’ve updated our Events Page with County Parks activities for the fall season, plus Daley Ranch and Anza Borrego State Park activities for October. There’s loads of hikes and other activities listed. For example next Sunday you can join the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers as they hike the Cabrillo National Monument Bayside Trail.

Today only, you can get a subscription to Outdoor Photographer magazine for just $4.99/year from DiscountMags.com when you use promo code 4628.

Looks like Amazon has some good end of season deals on outdoor gear:

• Up to 50% Of Select Coleman Sleeping Bags
• Up to 30% Off Select Bike Tools
• Up to 25% Off Coleman Airbeds
• Save up to 40% on the Xtreme Bright LED Lantern
• Save 25% or More on Select Pepper Spray Products from Sabre
• 74% off LED Hand Crank LED Flashlight – Cell Phone Charger, FM Radio, Alarm

Fall means its time to put away those sandals and look for some new boots! Reboot for Fall – Shop Teva’s Boot Collections for Men and Women!

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers!

Looks like San Diego’s nice weather has been continuing, unfortunately we’ve been out of town and not able to enjoy it. The long range forecast says it will be a bit warmer next weekend, but hopefully it will still be pleasant enough to get out and get some dirt under our boots.

If you’re looking for something to do next weekend, how about joining the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers on Sunday at the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve? This is an easy 5 mile hike with elevation change up to 1000 feet. This easy walk just north of Lake Poway follows along a stream and a woodland canyon of large oaks. The tracks of wild animals—including coyotes, mountain lions, and bobcats—attest to the habitats protected by the reserve. The new longer hike option will climb to an overlook of Lake Poway. Directions: (Poway) From I-15, exit east on Rancho Bernardo Rd., which becomes Espola Rd. (S5). The entrance to the reserve is 0.25 miles east of the intersection of Old Coach Rd./Bridlewood Rd. Check out the Canyoneers calendar or visit our Events Page for more upcoming activities around San Diego County.

Amazon has some nice deals for us this week:

• 64% off Carabiner “Grenade” Survival Kit
• Save Additional 20% Off Select FuelBelt Running Accessories
• Up to 40% Off Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor
• Up to 50% Of Select Coleman Sleeping Bags
• Save $25 on the Xtreme Bright LED Headlamp
• Save 25% or More on Select Products from Sabre

Have a good week!