Driving through Garner Valley at Dawn. Mt. San Jacinto is on the left.Looking in the same general direction from the summit of Mt. San Jacinto.Mt. San Jacinto is the second tallest peak in Southern California at 10,834'. There are numerous ways to get to the summit, and all of them require a fair amount of …
Continue reading "Mt. San Jacinto via the Devil’s Slide Trail"
Dry Lake is an ephemeral subalpine lake filling a glacial basin nestled under the northern shoulder of Mt. San Gorgonio. Although the lake lived up to its billing on this warm spring day, the name "Dry Lake" is usually a misnomer, at least for half of the year. This lake comes and goes with the …
Tahquitz Valley lies nestled beneath Tahquitz Peak in a relatively flat area of the San Jacinto Mountains. This area showcases the meadows, mixed-conifer forests, and granite boulders that make so many hikers liken the San Jacintos to the Sierra Nevadas. It's relatively easy to tack on Tahquitz Peak, provided the view is clear enough to …
During the month of April, I hiked 125.1 miles, gaining approximately 19,350' of elevation. I spent 61 hours and 30 minutes on the trails, and I burnt approximately 19,920 calories as a result. April has always been one of my favorite months to hike due to the presence of wildflowers, vivid greens everywhere one looks, …
Volcan Mountain is a prominent, rolling, oak-studded peak just north of Julian. Its rolling flanks are covered with wildflowers in spring, and its trees turn gold in the fall. The peak also features a great mixture of views, with Anza-Borrego to the east and the San Diego coastline to the west.Distance: 5.2Elevation Gained: 1,200Difficulty: Moderately …
Standing at 6,512', Cuyamaca Peak is the second tallest peak in San Diego County. It also stands roughly in the geographic center of San Diego County, which means that the views in all directions are inclusive and spectacular. While most of its forest has been destroyed, a large patch close to the summit still persists, …
Lake Cuyamaca is a man-made lake that collects all of the water run-off on the north side of Cuyamaca State Park. This serene, picturesque lake is stocked with trout for the fishermen, boat docks for the recreators, and hiking trails for those who like to amble. Views of the surrounding mountains are abundant, as are …
Stonewall Peak is a prominent bump rising up out of the rolling valleys and meadows of the Cuyamaca Area. This craggy promontory displays attractive granite outcrops, good views, and fine examples of post-Cedar fire recovery along its steep flanks.Distance: 8.7 MilesElevation Gained: 800'Difficulty: Moderately StrenuousTime: 4:00Critters: DeerGet there like this. Note: There is an $8 day fee …
On October 25th, 2003, a lost hiker lit a signal fire in an attempt to be rescued. He lit the fire in spite of intense Santa Ana winds. The winds picked up, and the fire quickly grew out of control. As it was late in the evening, and since the forest service and CalFire have …
The Santa Margarita River is a rare and relatively undisturbed watercourse that drains the Santa Ana Mountains. Large sections of this river are protected habitats, and it flows roughly the same way that it has for the last few thousands of years before Southern California was developed. It features a rich riparian environment, as well …
Gear Reviews, Hiking, and Adventure Travel
Adventures in hiking...
Because life's too short to be an indoor cat.
Beguiling pearls of wit, wisdom, and whimsy-with attitude
Life Is Better Outside
Just another WordPress.com weblog
Just another WordPress.com site
Hiking and photography in the Southwestern U.S.
scott turner hikes 