60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: San Diego: Including North, South, and East Counties

Introduction

WELCOME TO 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: San Diego. If you’re new to hiking, or even if you’re a seasoned trailsmith, take a few minutes to read the following introduction. We’ll explain how this book is organized and how to get the best use of it.

How to Use This Guidebook

OVERVIEW MAP, MAP KEY, AND MAP LEGEND

The overview map on the inside front cover shows the primary trailheads for all 60 hikes. The numbers on the overview map pair with the key on the facing page. A legend explaining the map symbols used throughout the book appears on the inside back cover.

REGIONAL MAPS

The book is divided into regions, and prefacing each regional section is an overview map. The regional overview maps provide more detail than the main overview map, bringing you closer to the hikes.

TRAIL MAPS

In addition to the overview map on the inside cover, a detailed map of each hike’s route appears with its profile. On each of these maps, symbols indicate the trailhead, the complete route, significant features, facilities, and topographic landmarks such as creeks, overlooks, and peaks.

To produce the highly accurate maps in this book, I used a handheld GPS unit to gather data while hiking each route, then sent that data to Menasha Ridge Press’s expert cartographers. Be aware, though, that your GPS device is no substitute for sound, sensible navigation that takes into account the conditions that you observe while hiking.

Further, despite the high quality of the maps in this guidebook, I strongly recommend that you always carry an additional map, such as the ones noted in Maps in each hike’s Key At-a-Glance Information.

ELEVATION PROFILES

Most hikes contain a detailed elevation profile that corresponds directly to the trail map. This graphical element provides a quick look at the trail from the side, enabling you to visualize how the trail rises and falls. On the diagram’s vertical axis, or height scale, the number of feet indicated between each tick mark lets you visualize the climb. To keep flat hikes from looking steep and vice versa, varying height scales provide an accurate image of each hike’s climbing challenge. Elevation profiles for loop hikes show total distance; those for out-and-back hikes show only one-way distance. Note that hikes with an elevation gain or loss of fewer than 100 feet do not include an elevation profile.

GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES

As noted in Trail Maps, on the previous page, I used a handheld GPS unit to obtain geographic data and sent the information to the cartographers at Menasha Ridge. Provided for each hike profile, the GPS coordinates—the intersection of latitude (north) and longitude (west)—will orient you from the trailhead. In some cases, you can park within viewing distance of a trailhead. Other hikes require a short walk to the trailhead from a parking area.

The latitude–longitude grid system is likely quite familiar to you, but here’s a refresher, pertinent to visualizing the coordinates:

Imaginary lines of latitude—called parallels and approximately 69 miles apart from each other—run horizontally around the globe. The equator is established to be 0°, and each parallel is indicated by degrees from the equator: up to 90°N at the North Pole, and down to 90°S at the South Pole.

Imaginary lines of longitude—called meridians—run perpendicular to lines of latitude and are likewise indicated by degrees. Starting from 0° at the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, England, they continue to the east and west until they meet 180° later at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean. At the equator, longitude lines also are approximately 69 miles apart, but that distance narrows as the meridians converge toward the North and South Poles.

In this book, latitude and longitude are expressed in degree–decimal minute format. For example, the coordinates for Hike 1, Batiquitos Lagoon, are as follows:

N33° 5.618' W117° 18.080'

To convert GPS coordinates given in degrees, minutes, and seconds to degrees and decimal minutes, divide the seconds by 60. For more on GPS technology, visit usgs.gov.

Hike Profiles

Each hike contains seven key items: an In Brief description of the trail, a Key At-a-Glance Information box, directions to the trail, GPS coordinates, a trail map, an elevation profile (in most cases), and a trail description. Many hikes also include notes on things to see and do nearby.

IN BRIEF

A taste of the trail. Think of this section as a snapshot focused on the historical landmarks, beautiful vistas, and other sights you may encounter on the hike.

KEY AT-A-GLANCE INFORMATION

This gives you a quick idea of the statistics and specifics of each hike:

LENGTH How long the trail is from start to finish. There may be options to shorten or extend the hikes, but the mileage corresponds to the described hike. Use the Description (see next page) as a guide to customizing the hike for your ability or time constraints.

CONFIGURATION Defines the type of route—for example, an out-and-back (which takes you in and out the same way), a point-to-point (or one-way route), a figure-eight, or a balloon-and-string (a loop with an entrance or exit trail).

DIFFICULTY The degree of effort an average hiker should expect on a given hike. For simplicity, the trails are rated as easy, moderate, or strenuous. Moderate or strenuous hikes may have earned those ratings due to a particularly steep segment of sustained duration within a generally easy whole, while hikes longer than 5 miles may have been rated difficult due to length alone. Altitude also affects the rating—thinner air makes hiking more difficult. If you’re not in the best shape, stick to hikes described as easy, building up your endurance and agility before you try moderate or strenuous hikes.

SCENERY Rates the overall environs of the hike and what to expect in terms of plant life, wildlife, natural wonders, and historical features.

EXPOSURE A quick check of how much sun you can expect on your shoulders while you’re out on the trail. Descriptors are self-explanatory and include terms such as shady, exposed, and sunny.

TRAFFIC Indicates how busy the trail might be on an average day and if you might be able to find solitude out there. Trail traffic, of course, varies from day to day and season to season.

TRAIL SURFACE Indicates whether the path is paved, rocky, smooth, or composed of a mixture of elements.

HIKING TIME How long it takes to hike the trail. For these hikes, I (Sheri) averaged about 2 mph, more for strenuous terrain. If you hike slowly because you stop to take a lot of photos, rest, or enjoy the scenery, adjust the hiking time provided to suit your own needs.

ACCESS Notes any fees or permits needed to access the trail, whether the trail has specific hours, and/or whether pets and other forms of trail use are permitted.

Parking/entry fees for these hikes generally range from $2 to $8. For hikes that lie within some national forests, you’ll need to purchase a USDA Adventure Pass ($5 per day or $30 per year); visit tinyurl.com/usfsadventurepass or tinyurl.com/adventurepassvendors for more information. In most cases, no fees or permits are required.

WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE? Notes whether the trail described (or trails nearby) can be used by persons with disabilities.

MAPS Which supplementary map is the best for a particular hike. See Appendix B for map resources.

FACILITIES Restrooms, phones, water, and other niceties available at the trailhead or nearby.

INFO Listed here are phone numbers and/or websites for checking trail conditions and gleaning other basic information.

SPECIAL COMMENTS Provides you with those little extra details that don’t fit into any of the previous categories. These may include insider information or special considerations about the trail, access, or warnings, along with ideas for enhancing your hiking experience.

GPS COORDINATES

Trailhead latitude and longitude can be used to locate the trail in addition to the Directions (see below) if you enter the data into your GPS unit before you set out. See for more information.

DIRECTIONS

These will help you locate each trailhead. Where pertinent, highway exit numbers are included.

DESCRIPTION

The heart of each hike, summarizing the trail’s essence and highlighting any special traits the hike has to offer. The route is clearly outlined, including any landmarks, side trips, and possible alternate routes along the way. Ultimately, the Description will help you choose which hikes are best for you.

NEARBY ACTIVITIES

Due to space constraints, not every hike has this listing, but for hikes that do, look here for information about places of interest in the vicinity of the trail.

Weather

The climate in San Diego is generally mild. The following chart offers a snapshot of averages for the city.

Around San Diego County, you’ll find some extreme weather, such as snow at higher elevations and thunderstorms and flash floods in other areas. When hiking in the mountains and/or desert regions, be sure to consult weather reports and be prepared for abrupt changes.

Source: sandiego.org

Temperatures in inland regions and mountainous areas can change drastically from day to night. Mild or even hot daytime temps, say, in the 70s or 80s, may dip below freezing at night. If hiking in these areas, you’ll want to make sure you have layers of clothing you can peel away during the day and pile on as the air cools.

Water

How much is enough? Well, one simple physiological fact should convince you to err on the side of excess when deciding how much water to pack: A hiker walking steadily in 90-degree heat needs about 10 quarts of fluid per day—that’s 2.5 gallons. A good rule of thumb is to hydrate before your hike, carry (and drink) 6 ounces of water for every mile you plan to hike, and hydrate again after the hike. For most people, the pleasures of hiking make carrying water a relatively minor price to pay to remain safe and healthy, so pack more water than you anticipate needing, even for short hikes.

If you find yourself tempted to drink found water, proceed with extreme caution. Many ponds and lakes you’ll encounter are fairly stagnant, and the water tastes terrible. Drinking such water presents inherent risks for thirsty trekkers. Giardia parasites contaminate many water sources and cause the intestinal ailment giardiasis, which can last for weeks after onset. For more information, visit cdc.gov/parasites/giardia.

Effective treatment is essential before you use any found water. Boiling water for 2–3 minutes is always a safe measure for camping, but dayhikers can consider iodine tablets, approved chemical mixes, filtration units rated for giardia, and ultraviolet filtration. Some of these methods (for example, filtration with an added carbon filter) remove bad tastes typical in stagnant water, while others add their own taste. Even if you’ve brought your own water, consider bringing along a means of water purification in case of an emergency or you forgot to bring enough.

CLOTHING

Weather, unexpected trail conditions, fatigue, extended hiking duration, and wrong turns can individually or collectively turn a great outing into a very uncomfortable one at best. Some helpful guidelines:

Choose silk, wool, or moisture-wicking synthetics for maximum comfort in all of your hiking attire—from hats to socks and in between. Cotton is fine if the weather remains dry and stable, but you won’t be happy if that fabric gets wet.

Always wear a hat, or at least tuck one into your daypack or hitch it to your belt. Hats offer all-weather sun and wind protection as well as warmth if it turns cold.

Be ready to layer up or down as the day progresses and the mercury rises or falls. Today’s outdoor wear makes layering easy, with such designs as jackets that convert to vests and zip-off or button-up legs.

Biting bugs, poison oak, and thorny bushes found along many trails can generate short-term discomfort and long-term agony. A lightweight pair of pants and a long-sleeved shirt can go a long way toward protecting you from these pests.

Wear hiking boots or sturdy hiking sandals with toe protection. Flip-flopping along a paved urban greenway is one thing, but you should never hike a trail in open sandals or casual sneakers. Your bones and arches need support, and your skin needs protection.

Pair that footwear with good socks. If you prefer not to sheathe your feet when wearing hiking sandals, tuck the socks into your daypack—you may need them if temperatures plummet or if you hit rocky turf and pebbles begin to irritate your feet.

Don’t leave rainwear behind, even if the day dawns clear and sunny. Tuck into your daypack, or tie around your waist, a jacket that’s breathable and either water-resistant or waterproof. Investigate different choices at your local outdoors retailer. If you’re a frequent hiker, ideally you’ll have more than one rainwear weight, material, and style in your closet to protect you in all seasons in your regional climate and hiking microclimates.

THE TEN ESSENTIALS

One of the first rules of hiking is to be prepared for anything. Always consider worst-case scenarios such as getting lost, hiking back in the dark, broken gear (for example, a broken hip strap on your pack or a water filter that gets plugged), twisting an ankle, or a brutal thunderstorm. The simplest way to be prepared is to carry the Ten Essentials. In addition to carrying the items that follow, you need to know how to use them, especially navigational aids. These items don’t cost a lot of money, don’t take up much room in a pack, and don’t weigh much—but they might just save your life.

Extra food: trail mix, granola bars, or other high-energy snacks.

Extra clothes: raingear, a change of socks, and, depending on the season, a warm hat and gloves.

Flashlight or headlamp with extra bulb and batteries.

Insect repellent. For some areas and seasons, this is vital.

Maps and a high-quality compass. Don’t leave home without them, even if you know the terrain well from previous hikes. As previously noted, you should bring maps in addition to those in this book and consult them before you hike. If you’re GPS-savvy, bring that device, too, but don’t rely on it as your sole navigational tool—battery life is limited, plus storms and rocky terrain can interfere with reception. Be sure to check your unit’s accuracy against that of your maps and compass.

Pocketknife and/or multitool.

Sun protection: sunglasses, lip balm, sunscreen, and sun hat.

Water. Again, bring more than you think you’ll drink. Depending on your destination, you may want to bring a container and iodine or a filter in case you run out.

Whistle. It could become your best friend in an emergency.

Windproof matches and/or a lighter, as well as a fire starter.

First-Aid Kit

In addition to the preceding items, the ones that follow may seem daunting to carry along for a dayhike. But any paramedic will tell you that the products listed here are just the basics. The reality of hiking is that you can be out for a week of backpacking and acquire only a mosquito bite … or you can hike for an hour, slip, and suffer a cut or broken bone. Fortunately, the items listed pack into a very small space. Convenient prepackaged kits are available at your pharmacy or online.

Ace bandages or Spenco joint wraps

Adhesive bandages

Antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin)

Aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Advil)

Athletic tape

Blister kit (such as Moleskin or Spenco 2nd Skin)

Butterfly-closure bandages

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), in case of allergic reactions

Epinephrine in a prefilled syringe (EpiPen), typically available by prescription only, for people known to have severe allergic reactions to bee stings and other mishaps

Gauze (one roll and a half-dozen 4-by-4-inch pads)

Hydrogen peroxide or iodine

Hiking with Children

Flat, short, and shaded trails are best with an infant. Toddlers who haven’t quite mastered walking can still tag along, riding on an adult’s back in a child carrier. Use common sense to judge a youngster’s capacity to hike a particular trail, and be ready for the child to tire quickly and need to be carried. Also make sure that children are adequately clothed for the weather, have proper shoes, and are protected from the sun with sunscreen. Kids dehydrate quickly, too, so be sure to bring plenty of fluids for everyone. Hikes suitable for young children are noted on 60 Hikes by Category.

Hiking with Your Dog

One of the biggest changes to this edition is that almost all San Diego County parks allow leashed dogs on the trails now. You’ll find specifics in 60 Hikes by Category,, as well additional notes in the Special Comments section of each hike.

Make sure your dog is physically fit enough for your chosen trail; consult your veterinarian if you’re not sure. Short jaunts might build fitness before longer treks. Carry a collapsible bowl, and pack food for energy and extra water to keep your pet hydrated. A canine pack might be appropriate for able pets to carry their own food and water.

Follow all leash rules, keep control of your pet at all times, and be courteous to other hikers with their dogs, bicyclists, and horseback riders. Stop and calm your pet if necessary. Let horseback riders know your dog has never seen a horse if that’s true, and help them proceed cautiously as you hold your dog at the side of the trail. Finally, please don’t take aggressive dogs out onto the trails.

General Safety

While many hikers hit the trail full of enthusiasm and energy, others may find themselves feeling apprehensive about possible outdoor hazards. Although potentially dangerous situations can occur anywhere, your hike can be as safe and enjoyable as you had hoped, as long as you use sound judgment and prepare yourself before hitting the trail. Here are a few tips to make your trip safer and easier:

HIKE WITH A BUDDY. Not only is there safety in numbers, but a hiking companion can help you if you twist an ankle on the trail or if you get lost, can assist in carrying food and water, and can be a partner in discovery. A buddy is good to bring along not only to infrequently traveled or remote areas but also to urban areas.

IF YOU DECIDE TO HIKE ALONE, leave your hiking itinerary with someone you trust, and let him or her know when you return.

DON’T COUNT ON A MOBILE PHONE FOR YOUR SAFETY. Reception may be spotty or nonexistent on the trail, even on an urban walk—especially one embraced by towering trees.

DON’T LEAVE VALUABLES UNATTENDED IN YOUR CAR. If you must leave something behind, don’t invite trouble: Conceal items rather than placing them in plain view.

ALWAYS CARRY FOOD AND WATER, EVEN ON SHORT HIKES. Food will give you energy and sustain you in an emergency until help arrives. Bring more water than you think you’ll need—we can’t emphasize this enough. Hydrate throughout your hike and at regular intervals; don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Treat water from streams or other sources before drinking it.

ASK QUESTIONS. Public-land employees can help. It’s a lot easier to solicit advice before a problem occurs, and it will help you avoid a mishap away from civilization when it’s too late to amend an error.

STAY ON DESIGNATED TRAILS. Most hikers get lost when they leave the path. Even on the most clearly marked trails, you usually reach a point where you have to stop and consider the direction in which to head. If you become disoriented, don’t panic. As soon as you think you may be off-track, stop, assess your current direction, and then retrace your steps back to the point where you went awry. Using a map, compass, and this book—and keeping in mind what you’ve passed thus far—reorient yourself and trust your judgment about which way to continue. If you become absolutely unsure of how to continue, return to your vehicle the way you came in. Should you become completely lost, remaining in place along the trail and waiting for help is most often the best option for adults and always the best option for children.

ALWAYS CARRY A WHISTLE. It could become a lifesaver if you get lost or hurt.

BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL WHEN CROSSING STREAMS. Whether you’re fording the stream or crossing on a log, make every step count. If you have any doubt about maintaining your balance on a foot log, go ahead and ford the stream instead. When fording