Season 2008-2009 Galleries

San Jacinto: 06.20.09 : A 2300 ft elevation gain, 11.6 mi day hike from upper Tramway station to the peak (10,834 ft). Time: up - 3-4 hrs, down - 2-2.5 hrs. Temperatures were in 50s to low 60s F on a breeze, sunny day.

San Jacinto: 06.20.09

A 2300 ft elevation gain, 11.6 mi day hike from upper Tramway station ...

Updated: Jun 21, 2009 10:56am PST

San Antonio 'Mt. Baldy': 05.24.09 : Hiked 7.45 mi r.t. in 6 hrs (plus 1 hr on the top) with 3126 ft elevation gain to Mt. San Antonio (aka Mt. Baldy) in Angeles National Forest. Started at the Baldy Notch (took ski lift ride), followed Devil's Backbone trail to 10064 ft summit and descended by Ski Hut trail. Temperatures ranged from 60s F in the morning to 50s on the top and 70s at hike's end.

San Antonio 'Mt. Baldy': 05.24.09

Hiked 7.45 mi r.t. in 6 hrs (plus 1 hr on the top) with 3126 ft elevat ...

Updated: May 26, 2009 5:04pm PST

Pyramid Peak: 05.16.09 : A 7 mi (5 hrs, 1700 ft elevation gain) day trip to Pyramid Peak located in San Jacinto Mountain Range. Trail starts as Cedar Spring Trail and merges into Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). From the south PCT fork cairns lead to the peak. Temperatures at the trailhead were in high 70s F.

Pyramid Peak: 05.16.09

A 7 mi (5 hrs, 1700 ft elevation gain) day trip to Pyramid Peak locate ...

Updated: May 17, 2009 3:01pm PST

Grand Canyon South Rim-2-Rim: 04.23-25.09 : South Rim-2-Rim three day hike: South Kaibab Trail (4780 ft elevation loss, 6.8 mi) to Bright Angel Campground (2 nights there) and up on Bright Angel Trail (4380 ft elevation gain, 9.3 mi). Some did side hikes: part of Clear Creek Trail (~1400 ft elevation gain, 4 mi), River Trail (1.7 mi). Weather cooperated especially during the hike up with temperatures in the 70s, occasional strong wind and clouds. Temperatures at the bottom were in high 80s to low 90s during the day and low 50s at night.

Grand Canyon South Rim-2-Rim: 04.23-25.09

South Rim-2-Rim three day hike: South Kaibab Trail (4780 ft elevation ...

Updated: May 18, 2009 11:03am PST

Caliente Wilderness: 04.04.09 : Day hike (9 mi, 1750' elevation gain) on Pacific Crest Trail to Caliente Wilderness located in the Cleveland National Forest near Warner Springs.Temperatures were in the 60s F.

Caliente Wilderness: 04.04.09

Day hike (9 mi, 1750' elevation gain) on Pacific Crest Trail to Calien ...

Updated: Apr 11, 2009 11:48pm PST

Anza-Borrego: Alma Wash to Starfish Cove: 03.14-15.09 : Long and demanding day hike and for a half of the group an overnight backpacking trip from Elephant Trees Nature Walk in Alma Wash to Starfish Cove. Round trip distance has been 10.5 mi with elevation gain of 1600 ft. During the day temperatures ranged from high 70s to low 80s, at night around 50.

Anza-Borrego: Alma Wash to Starfish Cove: 03.14-15.09

Long and demanding day hike and for a half of the group an overnight b ...

Updated: May 18, 2009 9:17am PST

Anza-Borrego, Sunset Mountain: 03.07.09 : 4.4 mi day hike from Pinyon Wash to 3,657 ft Sunset Mountain (for ~2000 ft gain). So far our best trip of the season. Fantastic 360º views from the summit: San Jacinto in snow, blue waters of the Salton Sea, Santa Rosa Mts. to the north, San Ysidro Mts. to the west, Vellicito Mts. to the south. Temperatures were in the 70s F.

Anza-Borrego, Sunset Mountain: 03.07.09

4.4 mi day hike from Pinyon Wash to 3,657 ft Sunset Mountain (for ~200 ...

Updated: May 18, 2009 9:15am PST

Corte Madera: 02.18.09 : Day hike to one of the most beautiful local destinations (6.5 mi, 1750 ft elevation gain) located in Cleveland National Forest 50 mi east of San Diego. Mountain's southern face is a nesting area for Prairie Falcon and is under seasonal Park's advisory protection. Part of the trail is used by 'illegals' traveling between Mexican border and I-8 freeway. National Forest Adventure Pass is required.

Corte Madera: 02.18.09

Day hike to one of the most beautiful local destinations (6.5 mi, 1750 ...

Updated: Mar 04, 2009 9:29am PST

Morena Butte: 02.21.09 : 5 hr. day hike to Morena Butte - altitude: 3919 ft, elevation gain: 1490' . Reached tallest of the three peaklets with a great Morena Lake view. Returned by Pacific Crest Trail. Temperatures were in 60s.

Morena Butte: 02.21.09

5 hr. day hike to Morena Butte - altitude: 3919 ft, elevation gain: 14 ...

Updated: Feb 22, 2009 7:23pm PST

Torrey Pines to La Jolla: 02.14.09 : 8 mi beach walk from Torrey Pines State Preserve to La Jolla.

Torrey Pines to La Jolla: 02.14.09

8 mi beach walk from Torrey Pines State Preserve to La Jolla.

Updated: Feb 15, 2009 6:17pm PST

Anza-Borrego, Rockhouse & Bow Willow Canyons Loop: 02.01.09 : 8.2 mi day hike (1200' elevation gain) to an old cattlemen's shack (built in 1933) located in In-Ko-Pah Mountains' Rockhouse Canyon. Loop traverses between Bow Willow and Rockhouse canyons. Hiked on a sunny day with temperatures in high 70s.

Anza-Borrego, Rockhouse & Bow Willow Canyons Loop: 02.01.09

8.2 mi day hike (1200' elevation gain) to an old cattlemen's shack (bu ...

Updated: Feb 05, 2009 6:54pm PST

Mount Gower: 01.24.09 : Day hike in Mount Gower Open Space Preserve outside Ramona on a beautiful 9 mi long (round-trip) trail. During lunch we celebrated Ewa's birthday in a place we called 'Indian village'. It was a cloudy day with temperatures in mid-60s.

Mount Gower: 01.24.09

Day hike in Mount Gower Open Space Preserve outside Ramona on a beauti ...

Updated: Jan 29, 2009 10:59pm PST

Anza-Borrego, Hellhole Canyon: 01.17.09 : Day hike to Anza-Borrego's Lower Hellhole Canyon located in San Ysidro Mountains. We hiked 4.8 mi (round trip) to Canyon's Maidenhair Falls and on the way back explored entrance to Flat Cat Canyon. Temperatures were in high 70s with some canyon's upper portions still being in shade.

Anza-Borrego, Hellhole Canyon: 01.17.09

Day hike to Anza-Borrego's Lower Hellhole Canyon located in San Ysidro ...

Updated: Jan 29, 2009 11:10pm PST

Anza-Borrego, Sombrero Peak: 01.03.09 : Day hike to Sombrero Peak located in In-Ko-Pah Mountains. We came within 400 ft of the peak but due to cold wind decided to return. Temperatures were in the 50s with rain falling in San Diego and while we were driving East on I-8.

Anza-Borrego, Sombrero Peak: 01.03.09

Day hike to Sombrero Peak located in In-Ko-Pah Mountains. We came with ...

Updated: Jan 04, 2009 1:18pm PST

Anza-Borrego, Fish Creek Wash: 12.31.08 : New Year's eve day 14.8 mi (one way) drive and short walks into Anza-Borrego's Split Mountain Canyon/Fish Creek Wash/Sandstone Canyon. Distances from start: Wind Caves @ 4.3 mi, end of Loop Wash @ 8.9 mi, Sandstone Canyon @ 12.7 mi We hiked through beautiful Sandstone Canyon and up to Wind Caves. Temperatures were in high 60s.

Anza-Borrego, Fish Creek Wash: 12.31.08

New Year's eve day 14.8 mi (one way) drive and short walks into Anza-B ...

Updated: Jan 01, 2009 12:34pm PST

Clevenger Canyon/San Pasqual North: 12.20.08 : 6.5+ mi hike on San Dieguito River Parks' San Pasqual North trail located east of Escondido. Fording Santa Ysabel Creek slightly east of the trail was relatively easy despite recent heavy rains. Trail is well maintained until 2.5 mi mark, later we've followed the ducks. Temperature was in the low 60s.

Clevenger Canyon/San Pasqual North: 12.20.08

6.5+ mi hike on San Dieguito River Parks' San Pasqual North trail loca ...

Updated: Dec 22, 2008 8:28pm PST

Mount Woodson: 12.13.08 : On a misty day, we hiked to Mount Woodson (alt. 2894 ft) located east of Poway. We took 6.8 mi long western trail beginning at Lake Poway with an elevation gain of 2300 ft.

Mount Woodson: 12.13.08

On a misty day, we hiked to Mount Woodson (alt. 2894 ft) located east ...

Updated: Dec 19, 2008 3:04pm PST

Anza-Borrego, Whale Peak : 12.06.08 : A 6 hr. day hike to Whale Peak ended in reaching the top of the canyon (alt. 4626 ft) a mile west of the peak. In a couple of places canyon was blocked by large boulders. It was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in mid-70s.

Anza-Borrego, Whale Peak : 12.06.08

A 6 hr. day hike to Whale Peak ended in reaching the top of the canyon ...

Updated: Dec 08, 2008 6:59am PST

Anza-Borrego, Palo Verde Canyon: 11.22.08 : Nov. 22, 2008 day trip to Palo Verde Canyon, Santa Rosa Mountains in Anza Borrego desert. Planned to reach Rock Tanks through a trail out of Palo Verde Canyon and descend through Smoke Tree Canyon. However, after passing 'Molly' mine, we lost trail and eventually descended through "Kuba's Shortcut' canyon directly east of Palo Verde Canyon. Temperatures were in the low 80s.

Anza-Borrego, Palo Verde Canyon: 11.22.08

Nov. 22, 2008 day trip to Palo Verde Canyon, Santa Rosa Mountains in A ...

Updated: Nov 25, 2008 10:54am PST

Iron Mountain: 11.08.08 : Day hike to Iron Mountain (elev. 2,696 ft) located outside Poway, CA. It took us 3.5 hrs to hike this 6.4 mi trail during the day with temperatures in mid-80s.

Iron Mountain: 11.08.08

Day hike to Iron Mountain (elev. 2,696 ft) located outside Poway, CA. ...

Updated: Nov 10, 2008 7:37am PST

Mt Laguna: 11.01.08 : Hiking season 2008-2009 opening day trip into Mt. Laguna area, 50+ mi east of San Diego. We hiked counter-clockwise Big Laguna Trail loop starting at Penny Pines. It took us 5.5 hrs. to cover a distance of 9 mi. Trail is well maintained but signs were somewhat confusing and we took a wrong turn (right instead of left) at the Boiling Spring Ravine. It was a beautiful day with temperatures in the mid-70s.

Mt Laguna: 11.01.08

Hiking season 2008-2009 opening day trip into Mt. Laguna area, 50+ mi ...

Updated: Nov 11, 2008 1:38pm PST