Coast to Crest Trail - Kanaka Flat Loop TrailDistance: 7.4 MilesElevation gained: 800'Difficulty: ModerateTime: 3:00Critters: Deer, wild turkeys, quail, rabbits, squirrels, and enough beef to keep Chicago chubby.Pros:- Lovely, green grass and oak woodland- A vast, rolling, green meadowCons:- Cow crap- I got charged by this cow:Details:Well, maybe the machine gun was a bit of …
Daley Ranch, revisited (and updated).
Creek Crossing Trail - East Ridge Trail - Jack Creek Meadow Trail - Hidden Spring Trail - Engelmann Oak Loop Trail - Cougar Ridge Trail - Boulder Loop Trail - Rock Ridge Trail - La Honda RoadDistance: 11.1 Miles (Day 1) and 5.1 Miles (Day 2)Elevation: 2,000' (Day 1) and 800' (Day 2)Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous …
Big Laguna Trail
PCT Connector Trail - PCT - Noble Canyon Trail - Big Laguna TrailDistance: 10 MilesElevation - 1,000'Difficulty: Moderately StrenuousTime: 4:15Critters: Rabbits, woodpeckers, and an owlPros:- Great desert views on the PCT- Rolling meadows, lakes, and pine forests- Good CompanyCons:- Long drive!- Missed the Meetup group- Couldn't bring my camera Details:I've blogged about the Laguna Mountains …
San Diego Local Hikes
If you look through this blog, you might get the impression that I spend all of my time hiking in spectacular places. While I do spend a decent chunk of time in relatively far-flung locales, climbing hills, snapping shots, and otherwise pummeling my knees and hamstrings into submission, these places are simply too far away …
Torrey Pines Beach and Preserve
Torrey Pines Beach - Beach Trail - Parry Grove Trail - Guy Fleming TrailDistance: 8 MilesElevation Gained: 300Difficulty: ModerateTime: 2:38Critters: Roadrunners, gulls, hawks, godwits, and a naked man doing jumping jacks Torrey Pines beach and reservehttp://www.everytrail.com/swf/widget.swfEveryTrail - Find the best Hiking near Del Mar, Californiahttp://www.everytrail.com/trip/widgetimpression?trip_id=1531373Pros:- Miles of undisturbed coastline and cliffs- Rare Torrey pinesCons:- Very …
Berry Creek Falls Loop and Pine Mountain
Campground Connector Trail - Redwood Trail - Sunset Trail - Berry Creek Falls Trail - Skyline to the Sea Trail - Bubbs Creek Trail - Pine Mountain Trail.Distance: Berry Creek Falls Loop - 12 Miles              Pine Mountain - 5.2 MilesElevation Gained: 700', 1,200' Difficulty: Strenuous, ModerateTime: 6:15 (Berry Creek), 3:12 (Pine Mountain)Critters: NonePros: - Great trees, …
Backpacking on the Skyline to the Sea Trail
Skyline to the Sea Trail - Redwood Loop - Campground Connector TrailDistance: 13.8 Miles (Day 1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 13 Miles (Day 3)Elevation Gained: 1,300' (Day 1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 300 (Day 3)Difficulty: StrenuousTime: 6:57 (Day 1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6:17 (Day 2)Critters: 28 Newts, Banana SlugsPros: - Stunning scenery from the beach, the transition from beach to redwood forest, and a deep, old-growth …
Continue reading "Backpacking on the Skyline to the Sea Trail"
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 …
Continue reading "Caliente Creek and the Agua Caliente Wilderness"
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 …
scott turner hikes 