This Week in San Diego Hiking – August 11, 2014

Le May pond in Otay Valley Regional park is a great spot for birdwatching

Happy Monday everyone! Need something to look forward to? The Perseid meteor showers are supposed to peak around Tuesday or Wednesday of this week, so get up early (pre-dawn viewing is supposed to offer the best results) if you are able to and check them out. They’ll be in the northeast sky.

You can also check out the Star Party this Friday evening at Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch Preserve.  Join the San Diego Astronomers Association and park staff at the Hwy 67 staging area for a night with the stars. Come experience the chance to view our galaxy using the same technology used by the professionals. Viewers will get a chance to see many amazing sights, depending on the time of year, which they wouldn’t normally see without the trained eye of the astronomers. Program will be held at the Highway 67 staging area accessed by the southbound lanes only. Bring sturdy shoes and a jacket. Clouds or rain will cancel the event. For more information, go to the County of San Diego’s Parks and Recreation Guide. And check out our Events page for more upcoming hikes and events.

Today only, you can get Outdoor Photographer for just $4.99/year from DiscountMags.com! Use Promo Code: 6746

Here’s the latest deals from Amazon for this week:

Have a good week!

View of Mount Miguel from San Diego National Wildlife Refuge

San Elijo Lagoon

San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve in San Diego
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve is a 1000 acre reserve situated between Solana Beach and Encinitas. The Reserve has seven miles of interconnecting trails passing through diverse ecological habitats including a riparian creekside, dry coastal sage scrub, boggy marshes, open grasslands, and coastal wetlands. San Elijo is home to numerous species of plants and animals, and provides an important stopover point for migrating birds. Continue reading San Elijo Lagoon

This Week in San Diego Hiking – August 4, 2014

Rancho PenasquitosBetween the high temperatures and thunderstorms, it’s been a little tough to get any good hiking in for the past few weeks. The forecast for the upcoming week looks like it will be cooler and drier, so hopefully things will settle down and we can all get outside and play.

Take advantage of the improved weather next Saturday afternoon by attending a Nature Walk with a Ranger at Guajome Lake County Park in Oceanside. Join Park staff and learn about the habitat of the park with a Ranger led nature walk. The hike is mild to moderate and hikers should bring water, sunscreen and wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Hikers will meet at the amphitheater. Open to all ages. Visit the County Parks and Recreation Guide for more info, or check out our Events page to see other upcoming hikes and events.

The San Diego River Park Foundation is in the final stretch to raise funds to acquire and conserve 20 acres of open space on El Cajon Mountain: “$9808 left to raise to acquire a piece of our El Cap. Help conserve 20 acres of amazing open space. After years of work only 2 properties remain to be conserved and this is one of them! Just days remain to act. Your donation will make this possible! More than $20,000 has already been raised to acquire the adjacent 20 acre property. Now the second property is in reach!”  Visit the San Diego River Park Foundation website to learn more and make a donation. You can also help by spreading the word to anyone you know who might be interested in donating.

Amazon has a couple of good deals this week if you’re looking for some new gear:

Happy hiking!

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Border Field State Park – Coast Trail

Border Field State ParkConfession time: I’ve lived in San Diego for 18 years, and I hardly ever go to the beach. You have to find parking, there’s frequently large groups of people, you get sand in weird places, and hanging out at the beach usually means long periods of sitting still in the hot sun… I mean, I don’t hate it or anything, but aside from taking the dogs to run loose on Fiesta Island, when we’re looking to get outside we pretty much always choose to go hiking rather than hitting the beach.

But then comes summer, and it gets too hot to enjoy most of our favorite hiking trails. If only there were some magical way to combine the cooler temperatures and refreshing ocean waters found at the beach with our preferred activity of hiking… Duh. We can hike at the beach! Continue reading Border Field State Park – Coast Trail

This Week in San Diego Hiking – July 28, 2014

The final stretch to the top of Volcan Mountain

Ready to start planning next weekend? How about an Interpretive Nature Hike and Ranger Talk at Lake Morena County Park this Saturday at 1pm. Take a relaxing and easy hike with a Ranger and learn about native plants in the area, and how the Kumeyaay Indians utilized the natural vegetation in their daily lives. You will also learn the history of Lake Morena. Before the hike there will be a short talk about snakes with an opportunity to touch or hold a Rosy Boa. The hike lasts about an hour and a half. Call in advance to verify the hike start time (619-579-4101). Go to the County of San Diego’s Park and Recreation Guide for more information, or visit our Events page to find other upcoming events.

Last Tuesday, an eighteen year old woman died due to heat related illness after running out of water while hiking the Three Sisters Falls trail in Julian. Authorities recommend carrying at least one gallon of water per person on this trail. As always, check the weather and research your destination before you head out so you know what to expect. If its really hot out, it may just be best to postpone your hike or pick a different trail.

If it’s too hot for hiking, check out some of the following activities available through Amazon Local:

You can save up to 40% on backpacks for Back to School at Rocky Mountain Trail by clicking below:

Up to 40% off backpacks for the Back To School Sale

Have a good week!

Lake Hodges

Hollenbeck Canyon

The trailhead at Hollenbeck Canyon

Hollenbeck Canyon is a 3,200 acre wildlife area in Jamul managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The trails are open to hikers, leashed dogs, horses, and mountain bikers. Be aware that hunting is allowed from September through January. The area includes coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodlands, riparian forests, freshwater marshes and grasslands. A seasonal creek runs along the canyon floor during wetter periods. Continue reading Hollenbeck Canyon

This Week in San Diego Hiking – July 21, 2014

Rancho Penasquitos trail

It’s Monday again. You could spend today doing work, or you could start planning your hike for next weekend. How about a a New Moon Night Hike at Santa Ysabel Preserve on Friday? Join Park Attendant Bill Augustus to discuss the history, plants and wildlife of the area. They will hike the main trail into the Santa Ysabel West Preserve through grassy meadows and oak groves, until the sun sets. Then they will enjoy a return hike to the staging area under the stars. Test your knowledge of the planets and constellations as we hike back. There will be a new moon this night so be prepared for the darkness. This hike will include an elevation gain and loss of approximately 200 feet in 1/2 mile and the total hike distance will be approximately 3 miles. Please bring warm clothing and a jacket as the temperature will drop as the sun goes down. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, bring water and a flashlight. Consult the  County of San Diego Parks and Recreation guide for more info, or visit our Events page for more upcoming hikes.

Save the Date! The third annual “Art in the Park” benefiting the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation is Saturday evening, October 11, from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center. There will be fine art for sale and a great silent auction. Sample wine and beer from our local vineyards and breweries and enjoy good cheese and chocolate. Tickets will be $25 and go on sale August 15. Members of the San Diego Native American Flute Circle will welcome you, and the San Diego Astronomy Association will have telescopes on the Terrace for viewing the universe.

This week we have a couple of good one-day deals from DiscountMags.com:

Here’s the latest deals on outdoor gear at Amazon:

The North Face is on clearance at RockyMountainTrail.com at up to 40% off! Check out the End Of Season Sale for deals on backpacks, camping, handbags, jackets and men’s and women’s clothing.

Don’t miss out on deals like these:

  • Women’s Mezzaluna Hoodie from $41.94
  • Men’s Momentum Jacket from $59.34

Have a good week!

Alta Peak trail in Sequoia National Park

Rose Canyon

The Rose Canyon trail head on Genesse AveOne of things I think is really neat about San Diego is the number of hikeable little nooks and crannies that can be found just about everywhere. If you’re itching to go hiking but don’t have all day, fear not. Chances are there’s a decent hike within a few minutes of your house.

Rose Canyon is one of seventeen canyons and open space parks managed by the City of San Diego.  Tucked in between the 5 and 805 freeways, just north of the 52 and south of the Coaster tracks, this hike won’t win any awards for seclusion, but it offers a nice little jaunt with a mix of exposed chaparral, riparian habitat,  and shady oaks. Continue reading Rose Canyon

This Week in San Diego Hiking – July 14, 2014

Panorama of Mission Trails Regional Park from the Visitor Center Loop trail

A fire broke out at near the Visitor’s Center at Mission Trails Regional Park around 2:15pm yesterday. According to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s Twitter feed, the fire crested Cowles Mountain and was on Kwaay Paay Peak. The fire was 70% contained as of Sunday evening and burned 90 acres. Crews will be mopping up through the night, and Mission Trails will be closed Monday while officials investigate the cause of the fire.

So its summer, and its getting hot. Heat related illness is no joke.  Last weekend 3 hikers had to be rescued from the trail to 3 Sisters (which is only 4 miles round trip), and I’m sure you’ve probably heard that ‘Harry Potter’ actor David Legeno was recently found dead in Death Valley, apparently of heat related causes. Continue reading This Week in San Diego Hiking – July 14, 2014

Muir Grove: Sequoia National Park Road Trip – Day 1

Hiking the Muir Grove Trail in Sequoia National ParkFor one week each year, we venture to the Sierras, sleep in a tent, cook over a fire, and hike as much as we can. This year our destination was Sequoia National Park. Sunday morning we got up at 4 am, loaded the car, and drove for 7 hours to reach our temporary home at Dorst Creek Campground. Continue reading Muir Grove: Sequoia National Park Road Trip – Day 1

Hiking trails in and around San Diego County