Hello Hikers!

Well, at last we finally got a little bit of rain! Hopefully there’s even more precipitation in the future because the local lakes and streams have been looking downright sad. On the plus side, the recent warm weather has caused flowers to begin blooming at a number of local hiking spots. Next weekend you can check them out for yourself at the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge when you Hike with a Ranger. The topic will be Native Plants and Wildflowers in Bloom with FWS Ranger Debby Good. Meet at the Par 4 Drive Trail. For more information, please call USFWS Interpretive Ranger Lisa Cox at: (619) 476-9150 X 106 or email Lisa_Cox@fws.gov. For more information check out the SD National Wildlife Refuge’s Monthly Tours page, or visit our Events Page to find even more upcoming hikes.

Starting today, Eddie Bauer has some great deals on clearance items:

• 30% Off Clearance Tops for Women + Free Shipping On Orders Over $99 with code 30CLEAR
• 30% Off All Clearance Shirts for Men + Free Shipping On Orders Over $99 with code 30CLEAR

And the Under Armour outlet has added a bunch of new items for your shopping pleasure:

• UA Outlet: New Items Just Added! Better Hustle, This Gear Goes Fast.

And here’s a roundup of our favorite Amazon deals this week:

• Up to 20% Off Select Athletic Socks
• 50% or More Off Merrell Women’s Shoes & Apparel
• Up to 60% Off Teva Women’s Shoes
• Up to 40% Off Select Women’s Running Shorts
• 50% or More Off Merrell Men’s Shoes & Apparel
• Up to 40% Off Select Men’s Running Shorts
• Up to 60% Off Teva Men’s Shoes

Have a good week!

Hello Hikers, and Happy President’s Day!

If you missed the memo last week, today is a Free Entrance day to all National Parks and National Forests. You can head out to Joshua Tree for a day trip, or if that’s too far check out Cabrillo National Monument where you can look for whales migrating off the coast, or hike the Bayside Trail. If mountains are more your thing, you can leave the Adventure Pass at home and go for a hike anywhere in the Cleveland National Forest for free.

And when you’re done hiking today, you can start planning next weekend. Saturday morning you can check out the Wintering and Resident Birds of Lake Wohlford. Naturalist Sally Sanderson will lead an easy-paced bird walk of about 3 miles, lasting two to three hours at Lake Wohlford. They will follow the southern and eastern shoreline from the parking lot on Oakvale Road. They hope to see a Bald Eagle perching on its favorite tree or hunting over the lake. The Common Mergansers as well as a number of other duck species should be back from their northern breeding grounds. Bring binoculars, hat, water, and wear layered clothing. Heavy rain cancels. Visit the Daley Ranch Naturalist Hikes page for more information, or visit our Events Page to find even more upcoming hikes and activities.

CBS news 8 has a story about a Valentine’s Day rescue on the Pyle’s Peak trail at Mission Trails. A hiker called 911 after becoming too weak to continue. This is a good reminder that even in the middle of February we should always check the weather report before heading out – it got up into the mid 80’s Saturday afternoon at Mission Trails. And of course, always bring LOTS of water and make sure you drink it, and eat some salty snacks while you hike!

Amazon has all kinds of nice deals on hiking and fitness apparel this week:

• Save 25% on Spyder Ski Clothing
• 30-70% Off Thermals and Base Layers
• 50% Off or More Active Sweatshirts
• Save 25% on Helly Hansen Clothing
• 50% or More Off Merrell Women’s Shoes & Apparel
• Up to 40% Off Women’s Hiking and Trail Shoes
• Up to 40% Off Select Women’s Running Shorts
• Up to 60% Off Timberland Women’s Boots
• Up to 40% Off Select Women’s Running Jackets
• Up to 35% Off Select Men’s Running Jackets
• Up to 40% Off Select Men’s Running Shorts
• 30% or More Off Top-Rated Carhartt Gear
• Up to 40% Off Men’s Cold Weather Boots
• Up to 60% Off Teva Men’s Shoes
• 50% or More Off Merrell Men’s Shoes & Apparel
• Up to 40% Off Men’s Hiking and Trail Shoes
• 30% Off Top Rated Compression Clothing
• Up to 50% Off Fitness Headphones
• 50% Off or More Active Leggings
• Up to 40% Off Women’s Cold Weather Boots

Get great deals on great brands – new Sierra Trading Post customers can get $10 off their first order by signing up here.

Have a good week!

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!