March 31st marks the end of the first quarter of the 2012, and I'm using quarters to provide an encapsulation of what I've done throughout the year. So far, I have:- hiked 356.3 miles, for an average of 118.75 miles per month, or 3.91 miles per day. This is roughly equivalent to walking from downtown …
Caliente Creek and the Agua Caliente Wilderness
Pacific Crest TrailDistance: 19 MilesElevation Gain: 2,100'Difficulty: StrenuousTime: 6:50Critters: Nothing in particularPros:- Beautiful riparian vegetation featuring cottonwoods, Coulter pines, live oaks, and willows- Large patches of carpet wildflowers and great wildflower blooms all around- Great views of the peninsular ranges (Palomar, Santa Anas, Volcans)- Remoteness and isolation give the place a very wild feelingCons:- Long …
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And Sometimes, I Make Music
Hiking isn't my only passion. For the last twenty years, I've made music in a number of different ways. From time to time, I'll post some of that here.I wrote, recorded, performed, and produced this song for Kelly. I love the hell out of that girl.
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Lookout Fire Road - Burnt Pines Trail - West Mesa Trail - Monument Trail - West Side Trail - Harvey Moore Trail - Granite Springs Trail - East Side Trail - Upper Green Valley Fire Road - Cold Spring Trail - Cold Stream TrailDistance: 20.7Elevation Gained: 3,600'Difficulty: MasochisticTime: 9:15Critters: 17 deer, 7 wild turkeys, one …
Santiago Peak
Trabuco Creek Road - Holy Jim Trail - Main Divide Road - Holy Jim Falls TrailDistance: 18.8Elevation Gain: 4,100'Difficulty: Strenuous (but you should call a therapist about that masochistic streak)Time: 6:50Critters: A salamander, a gopher snake, hawks, rabbits, squirrels, teenagers.Pros:- From a central location in the SoCal area, you can experience epic views of every …
Black Mountain
Santa Ysabel Road - Black Mountain Truck TrailDistance: 14.2 MilesElevation Gain: 3100'Difficulty: StrenuousTime: 4:50Critters: A bobcat, a flock of quail, hawks, a momma duck protecting her nest, squirrelsPros:- Unique views of east San Diego County mountains, including Palomar, Volcan, Cuyamaca, Woodson, and Hot Springs Mountain.- Great early spring wildflower display- gentle incline for much of …
Elfin Forest
The Way-Up Trail - Lake Hodges Overlook TrailDistance: 6.4 MilesElevation Gain: 700 feetDifficulty: Moderate Time: 2:20Critters: lots and lots of poochesPros:- Good views of east San Diego CountyCons:- Crowded- Very little shade- Aside from the views, wildflower blooms, and the crossing of Escondido Creek, there's really not much to seeThe Details:I had a little spare …
