Distance: 4.6 MilesElevation Gained: 1,400Difficulty: ModerateTime: No idea : )Critters: butterfliesPros:- More rolling mountainsides, mixed-conifer forest, and views- Easy access from campsite- Good conditioning hikeCons:- None to speak of, unless you're comparing it to more remarkable hikes nearbyDetails:The Jennie Lakes Wilderness sits in a nook between an arm of Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia …
Buena Vista Peak – Kings Canyon National Park
Distance: 2 MilesElevation Gained: 400'Difficulty: EasyTime: 1:00 (?)Critters: NonePros:- Easy hike to a great view of Redwood Canyon- Great granite rock formations- Evening bird community is amazing to hear Cons:- The trail to the top is confusing, especially where the trail switches back to the peak Details:After the Redwood Canyon hike, I waited for Sean …
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Redwood Canyon – Kings Canyon National Park
Distance: 7.1 MilesElevation Gained: 1,200'Difficulty: ModerateTime: 2:50Critters: An armada of butterflies, two deer, one bearPros:- Sequoia Trees- Less traveled than Giant Forest- Flowers and butterflies- Cold, clear creeks- Mountain viewsCons:- We can pretty much leave out cons when we're talking about the Sierra Nevadas, okay?Details:Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are two of my favorite …
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Santa Margarita River + Los Jilgueros and Hellers Bend
Distance: 6.8, 1.1, 1.2 (Santa Margarita, Los Jilgueros, and Hellers Bend, respectively)Elevation Gained: 320', 0', 300'Difficulty: Easy + easy + easy = moderateTime: 2:38, :23, :27Critters: Dog of the Day with the cone of shame, a fleet of rabbits and squirrels, coots, bullfrogsPros:- Lovely, easy hiking along the Santa Margarita River- Easily accessed beauty spots …
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Cucamonga Peak
Distance: 13.8 MilesElevation gained: 4,400'Difficulty: StrenuousTime: 6:45Critters: Manic chipmunksPros:- Beautiful mountain riparian environment at Icehouse Canyon- Unique views of the San Gabriels- Views of the Inland Empire (sort of)- Challenging and rewarding hikeCons:- Air pollution spoils the view of the Inland Empire and neighboring mountain ranges- Chapman Trail could have been left out- Having to …
The Best Hikes in San Diego
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. …
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 …
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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scott turner hikes 