About one year ago, I posted this blog to showcase what I think are the best hikes in San Diego. Since then, I've experienced more and changed my mind a few times, thus necessitating some updates. This updated version features ten more hikes, ranked in a purely subjective way. You may consider this a resource …
Mt. San Jacinto
Marion Mountain Trail - Pacific Crest Trail - Summit Trail - Fuller Ridge TrailDistance: 13.3 MilesElevation Gained: 4,800'Difficulty: StrenuousTime: 8:55Critters: Deer, squirrels, chipmunks, an owlPros:- Epic mountain scenery- Epic views- Epic, epic, epicCons:- Trails were frequently lost due to heavy snowDetails:I've never climbed a mountain before. Sure, I've climbed peaks. I've chugged up huge slopes. …
Volcan Mountain
Volcan Mountain Fire Road - Five Oaks TrailDistance: 5.2Elevation Gained: 1,200'Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous Time: 2:00Critters: None to speak of Volcan Mountainhttp://www.everytrail.com/swf/widget.swfEveryTrail - Find the best Hiking near San Diego, Californiahttp://www.everytrail.com/trip/widgetimpression?trip_id=1551716Pros:- Great views of Julian, the desert, and East County- Beautiful oak woodlandsCons:- Jerry Schad did me dirtyDetails:Volcan Mountain is the high point of the mountains …
Kanaka Flat Loop and 500 Miles
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 …
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 …
Golden Gate Park and Land’s End Urban Hike
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive - Music Concourse Drive - Japanese Tea Garden - Stow Lake Drive - Strawberry Hill - Transverse Drive - Speedway Meadow - Golden Gate Disc Golf Course - Chain of Lakes Drive - Queen Wilhelmina Windmill and Tulip Garden - Sutro Heights Park - Sutro Bath Ruins - Land's End …
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Wildcat Canyon
Wildcat Creek Road - Havey Canyon Trail - Nimitz Way - Conlon TrailDistance: 6.0 Miles (+1 Mile)Elevation Gained: 1,040 FeetDifficulty: ModerateTime: 2:35Critters: Bovines!, a garter snake, wild turkeys, and a very smelly dog.Pros:- Wide open views of Berkeley, San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, San Pablo Resevoir, and Marin County- Rolling, green hills- Lovely riparian vegetation- …
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 …
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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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scott turner hikes 