Weekly Update

This Week in San Diego Hiking – May 28, 2018

Photo: Mother Miguel Mountain

Hello Hikers!

I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend and getting lots of time outdoors. It looks like decent hiking weather should continue for the next week.

Next Saturday, June 2nd, is National Trails Day. There area all kinds of hikes, volunteer projects, and other activities scheduled throughout the county the county to help celebrate and promote awareness of the importance of our trails. Check out the American Hiking Society’s web site to find an activity near you.

Mission Trails Regional Park has announced they have recently installed a new summit marker at the top of South Fortuna Mountain. New markers will also be installed atop Kwaay Paay, North Fortuna, and Pyles Peak in the coming months.

Here’s the latest outdoor and fitness deals from Amazon:

Have a good week!

Photo: The Historic Flume Trail

Dog Friendly, North County, Ramona, Trail Write-Ups, Under 5 miles

Dos Picos County Park

Primarily catering to campers and picnickers, Dos Picos is a fairly small park in Ramona with two designated nature trails, several roads, and informal meandering pathways to explore. There is a small but scenic pond where you can fish or watch the birds. And despite the ravages of drought and gold spotted oak borer beetle, there are still lush groves of oak trees creating a quiet, sylvan paradise. It’s a great choice for those with young kids or anyone looking for a short, easy hike that still provides a significant dose of nature. Continue reading Dos Picos County Park →

10+ miles, Lakes, North County, Peaks, Poway, Trail Write-Ups

Mount Woodson (Potato Chip Rock) via Blue Sky Ecological Reserve

Mount Woodson, perhaps better known as “Potato Chip Rock,” is a tough hike no matter which route you take. The least hard route starts from Highway 67 and climbs a steep and winding fire road up the eastern side of the mountain. Even more grueling is the route from Lake Poway up the western side. For those looking for even more mileage and elevation gain, we suggest this route that begins at Blue Sky Ecological Reserve and connects to the Lake Poway route. Continue reading Mount Woodson (Potato Chip Rock) via Blue Sky Ecological Reserve →

Cleveland National Forest, Julian, Trail Write-Ups, Under 5 miles, Waterfalls

Three Sisters

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Three Sisters Waterfall is one of many remote backcountry destinations in San Diego that has become increasingly popular thanks to the publicity of social media. With three successive, cascading waterfalls and pools of cool, flowing water to swim in, Three Sisters is indeed an alluring destination. But the trail to the falls has long been a bit sketchy and until recently involved a very steep descent down a heavily eroded hillside, often requiring the use of ropes. Fortunately the US Forest Service has recently cut a new section of trail that takes a much easier and more environmentally friendly route to the falls. Continue reading Three Sisters →

Chula Vista, Dog Friendly, South County, Trail Write-Ups, Under 5 miles

Otay Lakes County Park


Otay Lakes County Park is a small park on the southern shore of Lower Otay Lake in Chula Vista. In addition to the usual playground and picnic areas to enjoy, there are some nice views to be gained by hiking to the top of a small hill on the southeastern edge of the park. Hopefully someday Otay Lakes County Park will be connected to the extensive trail system at nearby Otay Valley Regional Park, but for now this little summit is still a fun hike. Continue reading Otay Lakes County Park →

Cleveland National Forest, Dog Friendly, Mt Laguna, Pacific Crest Trail, Trail Write-Ups, Under 5 miles

Foster Point


Just a few hundred feet off the Pacific Crest Trail in Mount Laguna stands Foster Point, a fantastic vantage point from which to take in views of the nearby Anza-Borrego desert and many of the area’s prominent peaks. To aid you in identifying these peaks, there is a rustic direction finder that was installed by the Sierra Club. Foster Point is an easy side-trip if you happen to be hiking this stretch of the PCT, but it also makes a fun hike all on its own if you’re looking for something easy with a big payoff. Continue reading Foster Point →

Weekly Update

This Week in San Diego Hiking – April 23, 2018

Photo: Horsethief Canyon

Hello Hikers!

It looks like our perfect weather should continue for a while – it should even cool off a few degrees as the week progresses, making for nice hiking conditions.

Sad news out of Tecolote Canyon, where a hiker found a body on Sunday afternoon. Police say it was likely a transient, and while the cause of death is still under investigation, it doesn’t appear suspicious.

On a more positive note, the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy has announced that excavation efforts have successfully opened the inlet at San Elijo Lagoon. These efforts will improve tidal circulation and restore oxygen levels for aquatic species in the lagoon.

Here’s the latest outdoor and fitness deals from Amazon:

Have a good week!

Photo: Gonzales Canyon

5 miles, Daley Ranch, Dog Friendly, Escondido, North County, Trail Write-Ups

Jack Creek Meadow Loop (Daley Ranch)


Once slated for a large housing development, Daley Ranch was set aside for conservation and recreation in 1997, and has since become a favorite spot for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. With over 20 miles of trails, there are lots of options for hikes of varying lengths and difficulties. The Jack Creek Meadow Loop travels the paved Ranch House Road to the historic Daley Ranch House, then makes a loop around the Jack Creek Meadow through a mix of non-native grasslands and riparian oak woodland. Continue reading Jack Creek Meadow Loop (Daley Ranch) →

Weekly Update

This Week in San Diego Hiking – April 16, 2018

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Photo: Dust Devil Nature Trail

Hello Hikers!

Looks like things are cooling down this week! If you’re headed for the desert or mountains it looks like its going to be pretty windy. We might even get a bit of rain on Thursday!

Remember that next Saturday, April 21st, is the beginning of National Park Week. You can get free admission to all National Parks on that day!

We’ve seen some reports on Facebook that a section of the Perimeter Trail between North Fortuna and Oak Canyon in Mission Trails Regional Park will be closed from April 16th through August for utility road repairs by SDG&E. This appears to include the very northern part of the Oak Canyon Trail.

Loma Beat has a wonderful, thorough article detailing the improvements being made at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park in Point Loma. The major work should be finished by the end of the summer.

The San Diego Union Tribune has a good article detailing the efforts of local Ramona community groups to get the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to open access to a plot of land adjacent to Barnett Ranch, which would allow a connection between Barnett Ranch trails and Luelf Pond County Preserve.

Here’s the latest outdoor and fitness deals from Amazon:

Have a good week!

Photo: Otay Valley Delta

Hiking trails in and around San Diego County