Photo: Trans-County trail to Knott Grove

Hello Hikers!

I hope everyone had a nice weekend and got to enjoy some trail time. Looks like the forecast is calling for cooler temperatures through Tuesday, then it will begin to slowly warm up through the end of the week.

The City of San Diego has opened a new wheelchair accessible trail at the Black Mountain Open Space Preserve. The “Jas Arnold Trail for All People” is a 1100 foot flat loop hike, that is accessible to the elderly, mobility impaired, and young children. It can be access from the same trailhead as the Miner’s Ridge Loop off of Carmel Valley Road.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 6th, when the Friends of Hellhole Canyon Preserve will be holding an Art Auction & Wine Tasting at Melrose Ranch in Escondido. This event is a fundraiser to raise money to purchase 400 acres of habitat adjacent to the current Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve. This new acquisition is an important component in maintaining a wildlife corridor between the Preserve and other protected areas such as the Cleveland National Forest, Palomar Mountain, BLM land, and Rancho Guejito.

Next Saturday, join the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers as they hike Marian R. Bear Memorial Park (San Clemente East). This walk provides easy access to a riparian woodland habitat with huge sycamores, live oak trees and willows. Vegetation is both dense and diverse. This is one of the most productive areas for wildlife due to abundant water and cold air drainage. This is an easy 3 mile hike with an elevation gain/loss of up to 200 feet. Visit the Canyoneers web site for more information, or check out our Events Page for even more upcoming hikes and events.

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Photo: Azalea Glen Loop in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Photo: Tijuana River Valley Regional Park

Hello Hikers!

Happy Labor Day! Hopefully you’re enjoying the cool weather and long weekend, because neither is going to last.

CBS has an article that is both entertaining and informative alerting Southern California hikers that it is now tarantula mating season, so we are much more likely to encounter male tarantulas on the trail as they wander around seeking mates.

San Dieguito River Park has announced that there will be a temporary trail detour between Jimmy Durante Blvd and the Coast to Crest trail as work is done to restore more wetland habitat in the vicinity. About half of the existing boardwalk is being removed to accommodate more wetlands, and a new, permanent segment of the Coast to Crest trail will be constructed once the restoration work is completed.

If you have a few minutes to spare, there is a survey being conducted about ideas for interactive hiking trails, so click on over and share your opinion.

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Photo: Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Way Up Trail

Photo: Blue Sky Ecological Preserve

Hello Hikers!

I hope everyone had the opportunity to get out and enjoy the cooler weather this weekend. It looks like we might be getting some warmer temperatures coming up.

The San Diego Reader reports that the Marines have agreed to open a section of trail on Miramar that will connect Mission Trails and trails in Poway. There is still a lot of work to be done to make this happen, and trail users will be required to get a permit, but this is a huge step forward in what has been a very long process. The Marines estimate the trail will be open some time next year.

If you’re a regular visitor to the San Diego River Trail in Santee, the San Diego River Park Foundation is looking for people to serve as Park Watch Volunteers. Volunteers report vandalism and grafitti, asses who is using the parks. There is an upcoming training on September 10th from 9am – 11am at Mast Park. If you’re interested or would like more information, contact DeVerna at volunteer@SanDiegoRiver.org 619-297-7380.

5 miles of new TRACK trails have been opened at the San Dieguito County Park. TRACK trails are family-oriented, self-guided nature trails where kids can track their excursions using an online journal at the Kids in Parks website. Participants can engage in various adventures like scavenger hunts or physical exercises, and even sign up to win prizes. This is a great way to engage young children who might otherwise get bored on a hike.

If you’re headed up to the Laguna Mountain area for a hike this weekend, stop by the Red-Tailed Roost Volunteer Center, where the Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association will be presenting “Living History” demonstrations. Presentations will be held hourly beginning at 9:30 am on Saturday, September 3rd and Sunday, September 4th. For more information call (619) 473-8547 or 445-6235. Admission is free, donations accepted.

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Photo: Ridgeline Trail at Rancho La Costa Preserve

Photo: PCT to Eagle Rock

Hello Hikers!

Well it looks like the horrific heat is over for now. Just remember to check the forecast before you head out as things can always change.

This Thursday through the weekend, August 25 – 28, there will be free admission to National Parks in honor of the National Park Service Birthday!

Mark your calendars for September 24th, when the thrid annual Wildlife Hike-A-Thon will be held at Border Field State Park. All proceeds will benefit the Fund For Animals Wildlife Center in Ramona, allowing it to continue its rescue and rehabilitation services to ill, injured and orphaned wildlife and to provide care to permanent sanctuary residents. This event takes place on a scenic trail from Border Field Park to the Pacific Ocean. Bring the whole family and take the leisurely hike to the half-way point where you can enjoy a refreshing view of the Pacific Ocean and Monument Mesa before turning back to the finish line. Games and activities will be set up before and after the hike, including “Duck Rescue”, Wildlife Trivia and more! Go here for more information and to register.

The County Board of Supervisors  has voted to authorize the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for $750,000 grant to acquire lands for the future San Luis Rey River Park. If acquired, these funds would be used to acquire 37 acres of riparian and wetland habitat along Highway 76.

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Photo: Mission Trail West Sycamore

Photo: San Clemente Canyon

Hello Hikers!

I hope everyone’s been staying safe in this stupid heat. I for one, have had enough. Fortunately, the forecast is calling for today to be the worst of it, and then it should start to call off. Hopefully the upcoming weekend will be more pleasant!

There is a small wildfire burning just south of the border near Portrero. As of Sunday, it was at approximately 120 acres. Cal Fire is monitoring the situation.

The San Dieguito River Park has announced that construction of the Pamo Valley segment of the Coast to Crest Trail should begin this fall. The trail through Pamo Valley will link two existing Forest Service trails to add 12 more miles to the Coast to Crest Trail.

Next Sunday there is a volunteer workday at Palomar Mountain State Park! This workday will focus on general park improvements. Kids 12 and up welcome with a legal guardian. Free RV/camper camping available Saturday and Sunday (no hookups). Tent camping available Sunday only for preregistered volunteers. Visit calparks.org/parkchampions to register and see a complete calendar of upcoming events.

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Photo: Kitchen Creek Falls

Photo: Big Laguna/PCT Loop

Hello Hikers!

Welcome to August. The following San Diego County Parks are closed during the month of August due to extreme heat: El Capitan Open Space Preserve (El Cajon Mountain), Mount Gower Open Space Preserve, Hellhole Canyon Preserve, and Wilderness Gardens. Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary in Lakeside is also closed in August and September.

San Diego County Parks and Recreation has posted an update on the progress regarding the new Boulder Oaks Preserve in Ramona. They are currently processing all of the comments they have received. Another community meeting will be scheduled, likely sometime in 2017.

Next Sunday head on over to Oakoasis Preserve for an Oakoasis Sunday Stroll. This is a nice and moderately challenging walking opportunity that the whole family can enjoy. Be prepared for a few hundred feet of elevation gain and loss on a dirt trail that is steep and slippery in some areas. Please dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring water for this 3-mile loop that features fantastic overviews of San Vicenete Reservoir. Go to the San Diego Parks and Recreation Program Guide for more information, or visit our Events Page to find even more upcoming hikes and events.

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Photo: San Clemente Canyon

Photo: Lucky 5 Trail

Hello Hikers!

It looks like things will be warming up just a bit over the coming week, making it a good time for some early morning sunrise hikes or evening hikes. It’s also a good time to check out some of the many great coastal and beach hikes we have in San Diego!

The San Diego Natural History Museum has announced a brand-new hiking guide entitled Coast to Cactus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors will be released in September! Written and edited by the Museum’s very own ‪Canyoneers‬, this book is much more than a typical hiking guide–it encourages readers to stop, look, listen, touch, smell, and examine to understand that everything in nature is linked together. The book is available for pre-order right now on Amazon, with free shipping!

There will be an informational meeting this Tuesday 7/19 at 6pm to discuss proposed improvements to Calavera Preserve in Carlsbad. Improvements will include building a bathroom for trail users and the replacement of invasive plant species with native plants. The work will require some temporary trail closures this fall once work gets under way. Construction will begin in September after bird nesting season has concluded, and is scheduled for completion by the end of December. According to the San Diego Mountain Biking Association, there is some opposition to the construction of the bathrooms, so they are encouraging users to show up at the meeting and voice their support for the proposed improvements.

Next Sunday you can enjoy an Interpretive Nature Walk at the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. Join Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve docent, writer and artist, Donna Walker, for a free interpretive nature walk. Enhance your appreciation of this watershed community of native plants and wildlife. Learn about the history and culture of the indigenous people who lived in this area during prehistoric times. Visit the Escondido Creek Conservancy’s Event Calendar for more information, or check out our Events Page for more upcoming hikes and events.

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Photo: Tijuana Estuary North Coast Trail

Photo: North Fortuna Mountain

Hello Hikers!

It looks like the warm but reasonable weather should continue over the upcoming week. We’re still making it a point to head out early or opt for evening hikes to miss the hottest part of the day.

The results from the recent Anza Borrego Bighorn Sheep Count are in. Volunteers saw 296 sheep in total, which is a slight increase over previous years. It’s always inspiring to see evidence of the Bighorn’s recovery!

Next weekend you can Discover Daley Ranch with a 5 to 7 mile guided hike. Meet Naturalist William Sherrard for a slow to moderately paced hike on the trails of Daley Ranch. The planned hike is between five and seven miles in length and will last about 2.5 to 3 hours. He will be happy to map out a hike for those wishing to go longer distances. Choices are hikes of 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, or 18 miles in length. Check out the Daley Ranch Hike Schedule for more details, or visit our Events Page to find even more upcoming hikes and events.

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Photo: Iron Mountain Ellie Lane Trail

Photo: Kitchen Creek Falls trail

Hello Hikers!

Happy Independence Day! Or, as it is known in our house, “cower in the bathtub with the terrified dogs night.” If you don’t have plans already, you can head out to Volcan Mountain tonight for Fireworks and Star Gazing at Volcan Summit. Hike to the Volcan Summit to watch the sunset, and hang out until the 4th of July fireworks light up the night sky! Enjoy being outside in the fresh mountain air for this 7-mile round-trip hike and viewing party. Please dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring water plus a fully charged flashlight for the hike back down. Check out the San Diego County Parks and Recreation Guide for more details, or visit our Events Page for even more upcoming hikes and events.

Modern Hiker posted a good article this week about a recent court decision affecting where Adventure Passes will be required. The Forest Service will only be allowed to charge fees near developed trailheads with specific amenities (including developed parking and permanent restrooms), and will be installing additional signs marking the boundaries of areas where fees (ie Adventure Passes) are required. You can read the full settlement here. In the Cleveland National Forest, the sites that will require fees are as follows:

• Aqua Dulce Trailhead
• Dripping SpringsTrailhead
• El Cariso Picnic
• Falcon Trailhead (at Blue Jay)
• Holy Jim Trailhead
• Hotsprings Trailhead
• Laguna Trailhead
• Maple Springs Trailhead
• Meadows Trailhead
• Pine Creek Trailhead
• Pioneer Mail
• San Juan Trailhead (at Blue Jay)
• Tenaja Trailhead

The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy has received a $10,000 grant from REI for the repair and improvements to segments of the Bernardo Summit Trail. They have also received a $1000 grant from Patagonia to support their Citizen Science Monitoring Program.

The first 14 miles of the PCT from the southern terminus to Harts Ranch Road/Big Protrero Truck Trail have been closed due to the recent Border Fire.

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Photo: Volcan Mountain