Explore the lower slopes of the Laguna Mountains hiking above a seasonal creek. A variety of flowering shrubs are often found along the trail as well as many birds and other wildlife.
The shorter 4-mile hike will go to a shady grove of Coulter Pines before heading back. The longer 6-mile hike will continue on and drop down to meet the Noble Canyon Trail before beginning the return trip. This hike is being done in conjunction with the City Nature Challenge (CNC). Started in 2016 as a competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco, CNC has grown into an international event, motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife in their own cities. The Nat administers San Diego County’s participation and the iNat project for our County, and encourages people across San Diego County to participate. For more information about CNC see: https://www.citynaturechallenge.org. Attendees are encouraged to use iNaturalist to log their observations (https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/what+is+it). Two hike options will be offered. A shorter intermediate 3-mile hike with an elevation change of 400 feet, or continue on to complete an intermediate 6-mile hike with an elevation change of 1250 feet. The hike is scheduled from 9 AM–noon or 9 AM–2 PM. (Mount Laguna) Take I-8 E to the Sunrise Hwy. (S-1). Turn north and go 2.0 miles, just past mile marker 15.0. Park in the large turnout on the left. The hike will begin at the north end of the turnout. No facilities. (GPS N32.82738, W116.49581)
This trail, lined with wild lilac, passes through thick chaparral on a gentle upward slope.
Explore a spur of the Trans-county Trail that drops down towards the San Vicente Reservoir before taking a short climb to a promontory overlooking the reservoir. Stop for a snack before beginning the return trip. This is an intermediate 3-mile hike with an elevation change of 500 feet. The hike is scheduled from 9 AM–12:30 PM. (Lakeside) From I-8, exit north on CA-67 for 6.6 miles. Turn right on Willow Rd. and go 0.9 mile. Turn left on Wildcat Canyon Rd. and go 3.3 miles. Turn left into the entrance for Oakoasis Preserve, immediately opposite Blue Sky Ranch Rd. and the El Capitan Preserve. Go 0.1 mile on the paved road to the parking lot. Facilities. (GPS N32.912668, W116.887228)
Hike a scenic section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) as we wind our way to a small spring in a quiet meadow.
Along the way we will find seasonal wildflowers, mountain birds, and some great views of the Laguna Mountains. This is an intermediate 5-mile hike with an elevation change of 800 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8 AM–12:30 PM. (Mount Laguna) From I-8 E, exit on the Sunrise Highway (S-1). Turn left and go 9.0 miles. Turn left and park in the Red-Tailed Roost Volunteer Activity Center parking lot. No facilities. (GPS N32.857051, W116.423509)
Visit this historically rich area and see the recovery from the 2003 fire that burned the majority of this ecological reserve. Enjoy a variety of seasonal wildflowers in bloom, a beautiful riparian oak woodland, and some amazing habitat restoration.
Two hike options will be offered. A shorter easy 2-mile hike with an elevation change of 500 feet, or continue on to complete an easy 3-mile hike with an elevation change of 600 feet. The hike is scheduled from 9–11 AM or 9 AM–noon. (El Cajon/Crest) From I-8, exit east on Greenfield Dr. and go 0.5 mile. Turn left on La Cresta Rd. and go 3.1 miles. Turn left on Mountain View Rd. and go 1.2 miles. Turn left on Horsemill Rd. and go 0.6 mile. Park at the end of the street at the signed entry to the Reserve. Facilities. (GPS N32.828041, W116.856170)
Middle Peak is located in the center of three peaks in the Cuyamaca range and offers outstanding vistas. Seasonal wildflowers plus possible deer sightings make this an exceptional hike.
Bring lots of water since there is little shade after the 2003 Cedar fire. This is an intermediate 6-mile hike with an elevation change of 1150 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8 AM–12:30 PM. (Descanso) From I-8 E, exit at CA-79. Turn left and go 2.6 miles. Turn left to stay on CA-79 and go 10.7 miles to the Trout Pond parking area on the right (0.5 mile past Stonewall Mine turnoff). No facilities. (GPS N32.976586, W116.581380)
Enjoy a picturesque trail through bracken fern and conifers, complemented by a side trip up a small stream to the old weir.
This hike is being done in conjunction with the San Diego Pollinator Alliance (part of the Greater Resource Conservation District of San Diego). For more information about the San Diego Pollinator Alliance see: https://www.facebook.com/sandiegopollinatoralliance. Attendees are encouraged to use iNaturalist to log their observations (https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/what+is+it). This is an easy 3-mile hike with an elevation change of 600 feet. The hike is scheduled from 9 AM–noon. (Palomar Mt.) From I-15, take CA-76 east for 15.5 miles. At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on CA-76 E and go 5.0 miles. Turn left on S-6 (South Grade Rd./Palomar Mountain Rd.) and go 6.7 miles until the intersection. Turn left to stay on S-6. Turn left again immediately on S-7 (State Park Rd.), just before the store and restaurant. Go 3.1 miles to the Park entrance. Continue 0.2 mile and turn right at the stop sign. Go 1.4 miles following signs to School Camp and Doane Pond. Continue to the parking lot on the right. A $10 day use fee or a California State Park Pass is required for each vehicle (1 day for $10.00). Day use passes can be purchased online using the Yodel app (follow instructions on the signs found at parking locations — $0.35 fee added), at a kiosk, or Iron Ranger, depending on the location. Note: Any Day Use pass is valid at all locations that require a pass within the park. See https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1049 for more information. Facilities. (GPS N33.341765, W116.901381)
This 78-acre park is a hidden treasure. This trail has beautiful views of the park and surrounding hills and an abundance of unusually large and healthy native plant species.
\After the walk enjoy watching waterfowl at the pond. This is an intermediate 1-mile hike with an elevation change of 250 feet including some moderate challenges. The hike is scheduled from 9–11 AM.(Ramona) From I-15, exit east on Scripps Poway Pkwy. and go 8.6 miles. Turn left on CA-67 and go 7.4 miles. Turn right on Mussey Grade Rd. and go 1.1 miles. Turn right on Dos Picos Park Rd. and go 0.6 mile. Turn left into the main park entrance and meet near the picnic tables. A $3 day use fee or a San Diego County Park and Recreation Parking Pass is required to park. See https://www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/shop/Discounts.html#Parking for more information. Facilities. (GPS N32.999141, W116.939270)
This is a lovely hike in the Laguna Mountains surrounded by California black oaks and conifers. A variety of seasonal mountain wildflowers may be in bloom, while birds and other wildlife can be seen enjoying the shelter of the shady woodland habitat.
Red-Tailed Roost connects to several other trail systems, but this hike will return via Escondido Ravine Rd. This route follows an easy trail with just a few steeper sections. This is an intermediate 4-mile hike with an elevation change of 600 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8 AM–noon. (Mount Laguna) From I-8 E, exit on the Sunrise Highway (S-1). Turn left and go 9.0 miles. Turn left and park in the Red-Tailed Roost Volunteer Activity Center parking lot. No facilities. (GPS N32.857303, W116.423498)
Revel in one of the few remaining salt marshes in Southern California as we enjoy the rich diversity of this estuarine environment.
Endangered bird species, including the clapper rail, Belding's savannah sparrow, and the California least tern may be seen. This is an easy 2-mile hike with an elevation change of 50 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8–10 AM. (Imperial Beach) From I-5, exit west on Coronado Ave and go 1.0 miles. Continue onto Imperial Beach Blvd. for 1.2 miles. Turn left (south) on 5th St. and go 0.5 mile. to Iris Ave. Park on the street. No facilities. (GPS N32.569219, W117.122592)
This hike offers the opportunity for views from the mountain top and to see natural lands habitat restoration in progress.
Also explore an ancient extinct volcano, view waterfowl visiting the lake, and observe several different plant communities. This is an intermediate 4-mile hike with an elevation change of 550 feet including some moderate challenges. The hike is scheduled from 8–10:30 AM.(Carlsbad) From I-5, go east on CA-78 for 3.2 miles. Exit on College and turn right (south). Go 0.4 mile to Lake Blvd. and turn left. Go 0.9 mile and turn right on Sky Haven Ln. Go 0.3 mile to the signed trailhead on the left. Facilities. (GPS N33.173976, W117.281093)
Walk under pines, oaks, and incense cedars, on this 6-mile hike that follows the Agua Dulce fire road with a return on the Gatos Spur.
This is an intermediate 5-mile hike with an elevation change of 750 feet. The hike is scheduled from 9 AM–2 PM. (Mount Laguna) From I-8 E, exit on the Sunrise Highway (S-1). Turn left and go 8.1 miles. Turn left at the Wooded Hills Campground sign. Go 0.6 mile to the Agua Dulce Trailhead parking lot on the right. A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park. See http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/cleveland/passes-permits/recreation#adventure for more information. Facilities. (GPS N32.853845, W116.435488)
Hike the westernmost section of the Coast to Crest Trail that will one day extend 55 miles from the ocean at Del Mar to Volcan Mountain just north of Julian.
This trail provides views of the San Dieguito Lagoon, one of the few remaining salt water marshes in Southern California. Birders, be sure to bring your binoculars. This hike is being done in conjunction with the California Academy of Sciences and Snapshot Cal Coast. This is part of an annual California statewide community science effort, from San Diego to Del Norte and everywhere in between that encourages people to make and share observations of plants, animals, and seaweeds along the California coast. For more information about Snapshot Cal Coast see: https://www.calacademy.org/calcoast. Attendees are encouraged to use iNaturalist to log their observations (https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/what+is+it). This is an easy 4-mile hike with an elevation change of 150 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8 AM–noon. (Del Mar) From I-5, exit east on Via De La Valle and go 0.2 mile. Turn right on San Andres Dr. and go 0.2 mile. Park at the end of the street. Facilities. (GPS N32.978476, W117.247493)
Paula Knoll Memorial Hike. This loop trail begins and ends at Paso Picacho Campground. The walk is through meadows and dense forest, following a creek. Azaleas, columbines, and tiger lilies bloom along this shady, cool stream.
To celebrate the end of the Canyoneer hiking season and honor long-time Canyoneer Paula Knoll, the Canyoneers invite participants to a picnic and potluck following this hike. We will be barbequing hamburgers and brats and also some other items for you to enjoy. Please feel free to bring your own drinks and anything else you would like to have or share. This is an intermediate 5-mile hike with an elevation change of 850 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8 AM–12:30 PM. (Descanso) From I-8, exit north on CA-79 and go 2.6 miles. Turn left to stay on CA-79 and go 9.3 miles to the entrance of the Paso Picacho Campground on the left. Meet the Canyoneer host in the parking lot. A Day Use Fee or California State Park Pass is required for each vehicle (1 day for $10). Day use passes can be purchased online using the Yodel app (follow instructions on the signs found at parking locations - $0.35 fee added), at a kiosk, or Iron Ranger, depending on the location. Note: Any Day Use pass is valid at all locations that require a pass within the park. See https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1049 for more information. Facilities. (GPS N32.960090, W116.580295)