Palomar Mountain

Last month we were feeling a bit under the weathre so we were not able to head, but Easter presented us with the opportunity to head out to Palomar Mountain. There are many trail in this park and this trip included hiking from Doane Pond to Thunder spring. Then to chimney flats to the fire road. At this point we just went straight onto the Scott Cabin trail and took that to the Cedar trail and headed back to Doane Pond.

While people do bring their dogs, they are not allowed on the trails. There are several parking areas and each seem to have full restrooms. Even without the restriction of dogs on trails, some areas are ramant with Poison Oak so I would recommend this hike for your dog.

Here was our starting point the Cedar trail leading out to Doane pond. The pond seems to be a popular fishing place and picnicing area offering Shades for picnic tables and other tables in the area.

The also is a god place to find ducks and other water fowl.

Doane Pond through the cattails

Another shot from the trail around Doane Pond trail to Thunder Spring. The trail was in fairly good shape and offer a mixture of heavily shaded areas to wide open meadows.









Sarah Spotted a Wild Turkey. I did get a few photos but nothing worth sharing. Further up from the turkey we also spied several deer crossing at the ridge line.












Sarah contemplates the relative quietness of Thunder Spring. It's been a very dry winter as such there was very little flow.













 Chimmney Flats area

Chimmney Flats trail

This was the start of the Scotts Cabin tour. The trail was severly damaged in the last big wild fire but has shown quite a bit of recovery. There was lots of new growth. It is unfortunate that Scotts Cabin was lost in the fire.

The Ceder trail starts with a steep decent but then has fo steep up hill sections and ends decending back to Doane Pond.

Our route was around 4 miles in length and I would call this a mildly strenous hike. There are a couple od areas where the trail is blocked a bit by fallen trees from the fire and brush, but all in all its pretty easy to navigate. Palomar Mountain is a great place to spend the day in Nature.

Mt Woodson (East Approach)

Mt Woodson East Approach.

The trail head for this hike is located along Highway 67. There are usually a few cars parked along the side of the road near the Mt Woodson dr. If you pass Archie Moore Road you have gone too far.

This is the trailhead though there is another access path to the trail near a call box on Hwy 67.

A couple of things to note about this trail. There are no bathrooms at the trail head so make sure you have gone before you start. This is a somewhat strenuous climb on this approach but well worth the views. Besure to bring plenty of water and the trail is dog friendly but kindly remember to clean up after your dog.



 This is from the main trail just after where the call box trail joins the main trail. The trail is well travelled, well maintained, and attracts lots of hikers.



The dirt trail leads to an old fire road which is the main path for your ascent. The ascent is somewhat steep as there are fewer switchbacks for vehicles but managable and proves expansive panoramic view of the area.

As you ascend the boulders get larger but of course that is apart of the charm of this trail











The fire road winds its way up providing expansive views.











Panoramic View from Mt Woodson trail east side





As you reach the top you will see lots of cell and radio antennas. Optionally if the ascent has you worn you can always take the fire road back down.

The road splits to go to each set of towers. Keep to the trail on the righ and as you begin your descent on the back side you will come to Potato Chip Rock. Its a very popular place on Mt Woodson.

As you descend you will see even more panoramic view. The fire road ends with the descent and a more winding trail with lots of switchbacks awaits you. The descent also offers plenty of panoramic views of the western side of the mountain.

On your descent you will see a branch of the Old Fry Kogel trail which you can optionally take to the Fry Koegel Tral or you can continue to the new Fry Kogel trail. The trail also continues to Lake Poway. Each of these is well marked and well maintained.

One of my favorite sections of the trail were some of the very forested sections of the Fry Koegel trail as yo head back east. Looking forward to hiking this area again in the fall.

The trail runs along a small residential area and wraps around the Mt Woodson golf course ending on Archie Moore Rd not too far from where you parked. Hwy 67 is pretty wide here on the shoulder giving yo plenty of space to walk. Overall this wa about 5.5 miles in length and has a 1500' elevation gain/loss. A good work out.



Garnet Peak

Garnet Peak is a nice little hike in the Laguna Mountains just off the Sunrise Highway. You will need an adventure pass and the trail head is located just after the Penny Pines turnout around 27.5 mile marker. If you pass mile marker 28 you have gone too far. The trail is dog friendly but remember to bring your own poop bags and clean up. Also bring pleanty of water

Garnet Peak Trailhead

The trail is a 2.5 mile out and back trail that has a steady incline going out and up. The first thrid of the trail shows recovery from the wild fires from a few years back. It will still be many years to replcae the large trees, but pleanty of new trees are sprouting along the trail.

Wild fires damage

After about a mile the Garnet Peak trail crosses the Pacific Crest Trail.


Continue from here up a rocky incline to some truly spectacular view.

New Growth

The Way up

The trail is well marked and well travelled.

Sarah and Khan at the Top

The view from the top

One final note, there is a geocache poorly hidden


Muggle with geocache

easily spotted by muggles

Don't worry it was place back in its cubby with all care.

Rancho Carillo Trail

This is a very nice 2 mile Loop encompassing the Leo Carillo Ranch Park in Carlsbad. There are several trial heads leading off from various points in the trail, but I found the trail head that shares the drive with Carillo Elementary School. This trail is very dog friendly having several poo bag stands and waste recepticals along the way.

Trail head at Carillo Elementary School

As you can ee from the trail head at this point you can turn left or go straight. There is a convenient map which shows this trail and how it connects through this scenic area to other city trails.

Through the trail it is very wide and changes between dirt and paved trail. Fences line the canyon side.

Canyon View

The area is isloated enough to drown out traffic noise and give you a pleasent stroll around to the entrance of the Leo Carillo Ranch.

Hiker Bridge

Hike down the trail until you get to the bridge. You can continue straight and meet some of the other trails on te map or cross this bridge to begin heading towards the ranch.








Across the bridge the trail again splits into 2 trails going left and to another access point up a steep incline. The lowest left trail clings to the side of the canyon while the upper left trail offers nice vie of the area leading up to the ranch which can be seen from a distance.


The trail curves up and into a residental area. Turn right head up to Carillo Way and follow to te entrance to the Leo Carillo Ranch Park. The Ranch park does not allow does so if you have your dog or the park is closed you can follow a path around the perimeter of the ranch and meet up with the trail on the backside of the ranch.

The ranch has some very nice trails inside and adobe buildings and is home to many many peacocks and peahens. In the residential area I spotted 4 in a resident's front yard.

On the grounds near the pool

The Path leading to the back exit

Follow this path to the back entrance to the park

White Peacock

Enjoy the many peaocks including a white one which make their homes here.

A very proud peacock.





Once you are ready to say good bye to the adobe, and peacocks you can head back to your starting point from the back entrance of the park. Left take you to the school and right will bring you around to the ranch entrance.

The trail continues winding around the ranch back to the parking area.

The trail back

This was a very enjoyable short hike, great for walking the dogs or just a chance to enjoy the area.

The Santa Margarita River Trail -Fallbrook Area

This is about  5 to 5.5 miles in length out and back style trail, through with the river crossings you can make this a nice loop trail. The elevation change is 400' and is open to dogs. We saw many dogs along the way and you will also frequently see horseback riders.

The trail is well travelled, well marked and well maintained through there are some areas where erosion narrows the trail and footing can be somewhat tricky. There is also a great sign area with maps of the area, the trail and a list of all the vegetation that can be found in the area.

This is a great hike I think for about any time of year but overall with the oaks and deciduous growth, the autumnal color change would be exciting to see.

This trail is well shaded and follows the river offering a cool refreshment on hot days and deep reflections of the surrounding landscape.

The trail here gets very in a few places and some areas show trail erosion.

Near the turnaround point if travelling as out and back and remaining on the same side of the river you will come across an old vehicle embedded in the riverbank

The trail winds the course of the river offering river access at several crossing and providing for many deeply shaded areas. Great places to cool off and rest if needed and a good place to water your 4-legged companions if needed.

For all the shots I only brought the 28mm along for this trip. For avid photographers the trail runs east-west so early morning will have the sun in your face on the way in, but not on the way out, and likewise in the afternoon you have the sun in your face on the way out.  We started around 10am and hiked through the harsh midday sun, but that made some of the shady areas even more  mysterious.

Overall this was one of the best hikes I have seen in San Diego. Good for all levels of hiker, well marked and well maintained. It offers many sceenic views of the river and area and can give one that sense of peace and solitude in being away from the sounds of the city.

Welcome to Hiking San Diego

My name is Clark and my wife and I have been hiking San Diego for a couple of years now and are always looking for trails throughout San Diego County. Being a photographer as well I tend to trek through taking shots of the trails we explore. Recently we picked up the one book that perhaps is the most comprehensive trail book in San Diego.

Just a heads up though, I am by no means an expert on vegetation, wildlife, or even what is the best hiking gear to use. What I can share are the sites from the trail head and throughout the hike. Occasionally we do a few hikes outside of San Diego. Recently we hiked the Lost Horse Mine trail in Joshua Tree and once a year we trek up into Yosemite.

I will also talk about trail conditions, trail marking and if a trail is dog friendly. I will also talk about my main passion of photography and which trails provide my favorite shots.

I shoot with a nikon d300s and typically bring along  28mm and 50mm prime lenses. I have other longer telephoto lenses but unless I am specifically going out to see wildlife I tend not to carry them as they get real heavy on a long hike.  My camera is carried using a Cotton Carrier which if you have a DSLR to bring on a hike, I highly recommend getting one.

To carry the rest of my gear I have a simple belt pack that holds 2 large water bottles. In pouch is where my extra lens, snacks, flashlight, phone and other such essentials are carried. Recently we started using hiking sticks and believe me they do make a difference.  We try to get out at least once a month.


Here's a few sample shots from some trails hiked in 2011.

There are from the Lost Horse Mine Trail In Joshua Tree

There are from Stonewall Peak from the final ascent to a view from the top.