52 Hike Challenge 2017- AKA: Not All Who Wander Are Lost

[BorregoWrangler]

#36 Bernardo Mountain
7.25 miles | +900'

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Bernardo Mountain rises up above Lake Hodges within the 55 mile long San Dieguito River Park. This is also part of the Coast to Crest Trail which runs from Del Mar to Julian in San Diego County. I had a short day a work so I hit up a trail I haven't done before. I was a little concerned about the heat but made sure to pack more then enough water and took advantage of what little shade there was. With temperatures in the low 90's I was definitely pushing my limits. With summer in full swing here now, my hikes will need to be early morning or late evening outings

[BorregoWrangler]

#37 Ho Chi Minh Trail
3 miles | +385'

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This hidden gem gives you an interesting hike and great view of the surf at Black's Beach. The Ho Chi Minh Trail is primarily used by surfers and beachgoers as a way to access the beach. The trail is particularly narrow and steep at times so use extra caution or avoid it entirely after a recent rain. Also, the northern part of the beach is an unofficial nude beach, so enter at your own ocular peril.



#38 Rock Mountain
1.5 miles | +600'

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After years of effort by the Fallbrook Land Conservancy, nearly a dozen small- to medium-sized parcels of property around Fallbrook have been set aside as public open space and wildlife habitat. Just north of the Santa Margarita River, in a landscape of meandering creeks, steep-sided ridges, and secluded rural homes and "ranchettes," lies the 78-acre Rock Mountain Preserve. You can engage in a climb of the preserve's landmark peak, Rock Mountain, and enjoy a wide view of the surroundings from atop the heap of granitic boulders at the top.

[BorregoWrangler]

#39 Santa Margarita River Trail
6.5 miles | +1200'

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A wild and scenic section of the Santa Margarita River, a part of the last undammed major watercourse in San Diego County, is open to visitation by self-propelled explorers, courtesy of the Fallbrook Public Utilities Department and the Fallbrook Land Conservancy (an advocacy group). A rather free-form recreational trail, for hikers, horses and leashed dogs, incorporates fragments of earlier dirt roads, paths, and an old railroad grade, and wends its way nearly three miles along the south bank of the river. Additional looping side paths descend to the sandy banks of the river itself.

Come here to experience a free-flowing river with abundant water. The river peacefully flows under a canopy of tall trees, between banks lined with dense riparian growth. It is a cool, refreshing place for a summer hike, but delightful at any time of the year.



#40 Indian Creek Loop
8.5 miles | +1200'

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At mile-high elevations in San Diego County you can find lingering bursts of wildflower color amid the somber pines and bright-green black oaks. For a wide-ranging introduction to this mountain landscape, plus a startling view of the Anza-Borrego Desert, the easy-going Indian Creek Loop around the north end of the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is highly recommended. Much of this area was burned in the 2002 Pines Fire, which means the trees took a hit and look a bit ragged. Nonetheless, the pioneering undergrowth (and its consequent springtime blossoming) is especially impressive in a wet year like this. This route incorporates three trails: Noble Canyon Trail, Indian Creek Trail, and the famous Pacific Crest Trail.

[BorregoWrangler]

#41 Cowles Mountain & Pyles Peak
6.5 miles | +1700'

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One of my favorite routes in Mission Trails Regional Park. While Cowles sees hundreds of visitors every day, its neighboring peak, Pyles, sees relatively few in comparison. On this outing I got together with some friends who will be backpacking the high sierras with me soon.

[BorregoWrangler]

#42 Garnet Peak
2.5 miles | +500'

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One of the best places to catch the sunrise in San Diego is from the summit of Garnet Peak in the Laguna Mountains. I started hiking at 5AM and could already feel the humidity in the air. The breeze fluctuated from cool to warm at times. At the peak I was greeted by numerous sand wasp hovering in the air, along with a couple of tarantula hawks. After soaking in the views of the desert below I began my descent back to the trailhead and well before things started heating up. I'm looking forward to the return of "hiking season" here in San Diego County when the temps cool down. Oh, the summit register needs a new logbook.



#43 Cuyamaca Peak
5.5 miles | +1700'

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Managed to catch the last moments of sunset with one of my hiking buddies atop the second highest peak in San Diego County. As the sun dipped below the horizon, everything was bathed in the light of a nearly full moon. We enjoyed a couple of summit beers and just soaked it all in.

[BorregoWrangler]

#44 Coronado Beach
1 mile

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These summertime beach treks are great. I brought my wife and son down for a quick stroll along Coronado Beach to catch the sunset and then the full moonrise. A big thanks to the late Jerry Schad for suggesting this one.

"For a truly memorable experience, time your visit on a late summer evening when there is a full moon. Plan to be wading north of the Hotel Del at sunset. Can you imagine 70°F water tickling your toes, while at the same time, a big yellow moon launches itself over the fairytale turrets of the hotel right in front of you?" -Jerry Schad

[BorregoWrangler]

#45 Barrel Springs to Eagle Rock on the PCT
10 miles | +1090'

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There are plenty of areas in San Diego's backcountry where you can get away from it all and have the trail all to yourself. Warner Springs is one of those areas. Although, if it's solitude you're looking for, stay off the Pacific Crest Trail in the spring when all the thru-hikers are making their northbound trek.

Eagle Rock on the PCT is an interesting destination that can be reached from the north near Warner Springs along Highway 79, or from the south at Montezuma Valley Road. However, there are plenty of magnificent views along the way. It was neat to think that I'll be on the same trail further north in the high sierras in about a week.

[BorregoWrangler]

#46 Kings Canyon NP: Onion Valley to Flower Lake
2.75 miles | +1450'

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Kings Canyon National Park preserves a huge unspoilt and beautiful area of the central Sierra Nevada mountains, containing several deep glaciated canyons, countless lakes, pools, meadows and waterfalls, and over 20 peaks that exceed 13,000 feet. The park also shelters six groves of giant sequoia trees, found near the southern boundary which is shared with Sequoia National Park; the two are administered as one unit, and have similar scenery except that Sequoia has more of the huge trees.

I spent 5 days and 4 nights backpacking, camping, and fishing around this beautiful land. My longest trip thus far. I leaned a few things too... I brought too much food and I could have been more physically prepared for trekking above 10,000' elevation. It was an amazing adventure!

[BorregoWrangler]

#47 Kings Canyon NP: Flower Lake to Charlotte Lake
5.75 miles | +1420'

Making our way up to Kearsarge Pass.

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The sign needs to be updated. Firearms were allowed in National Parks in 2010.

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Stunning views from Kearsarge Pass, above 11,700' elevation. Kearsarge Pinnacles, Kearsage Lakes and Bull Frog Lake can be seen to the west. The trail continues beyond the pass, descending to the west into the scenic backcountry of Kings Canyon National Park and connecting with the John Muir Trail.

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Charlotte Lake.

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Home away from home.

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Soaking in all the natural beauty.

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[BorregoWrangler]

#48 Kings Canyon NP: Charlotte Lake to Rae Lakes
5.25 miles | +1500'

Heading north on the JMT/PCT, with the sheer face of Charlotte Dome in the distance.

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So many switchbacks heading up Glen Pass.

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Views from Glen Pass with Rae Lakes in the far distance; our campsite for the next two days.

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From the top of the pass, you don't realize how much elevation you loose heading down to the lakes. It was going to be a long climb back up.

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Crossing the shallow channel separating two of the lakes. I was waiting for someone to fall in but no such luck.

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We spent the next day here as well, just moving to another site on the other side of the lake. The trout were delicious. Practically every cast was a hookup. In fact, the only problem is that there are too many fish for the amount of food present, so they all grow very slowly. We never saw any bears, only their scat, but the deer were quite active.

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