Scripps Ranch Trail Run– Moderately Hard Loop

Scripps Ranch Trail Run– Moderately Hard Loop.

The Run:

• About 3 miles.
• Some challenging hills with plenty of flatter and downhill trail to follow.
• Much off it is on shaded trail (the lions share), while the other part is on the road.

How to get there:

• From highway 15 exit Miramar Road/ Pomerado Road east.
• Go east on Pomerado for two traffic lights and turn left on Scripps Ranch Blvd.
• Park up the hill near or in the Vons parking lot and walk down the hill. The run starts on the corner of Pomerado and Scripps Ranch Blvd.

Start the run:

The run starts on the corner of Pomerado and Scripps Ranch Blvd. Run eastbound on Pomerado for about 15-20 feet and to the north (left) there will be a trail that runs between two trees and is marked by a rock. It is easily found but to the right is a picture.

Continue to run eastbound on the trail and parallel Pomerado Road. This trail is lightly wooded and is rocky in some spot. Be careful of your ankles but have fun. If you’re not use to trail running this may be challenging for you. If you’ve ran on a fire road then this will be fun.

You will cross several other trails of no name on this run. The first will be Fire road. You will not take this.

Continue on running along the trail and shortly you will get to a fork in the trail. Take the left fork and it will drop you into the little picnic area to the right. Find the trail and continue on to the east. Note: If you will take the right fork you will drop into a steep little valley across the bridge and up a steep little hill and will be spit out at the same picnic area.

Continue on and skip the next fork that will be 100 feet or so past the picnic area. In a few minutes you will come upon another fork. Turn hard left at the fork (the picture is to the right) and continue on up the little side finger of the canyon. Note: if you go right her you will have to double back to turn point (if you get to Avenida Magnifica you went to far by a long shot.). The little canyon will have a incline to it and will try your cardio.

This little side finger will spit you out just shy of the Ironwood Road and Tribuna Ave intersection. Continue north, up the hill toward the intersection, and you will turn when Ironwood Road comes to a T-intersection. This will be Ironwood Road and Red Cedar Dr. Turn left (west) on Red Cedar Dr.

Run about 15-20 feet on Red Cedar Dr and there will be a trail leading steeply down into a heavily wooded canyon. This is Hoyt Park East. Run through the wooded park and enjoy the cool shade it provides from the sun. There is even a bench made from a fallen tree to sit on if you are that tired.

At the end of the park you will come out near the intersection of Canyon Lake Dr. and Aviary Dr. There is a park with a play ground on the opposite side of the road and I can only assume it is Hoyt Park West as there is no sign.

Continue on through the park and past the playground and exit the grassy park near some picnic tables and drainage ditch on the west side of the park.

Follow the large road like path westbound until it goes shortly uphill and exits from the wooded trail to the Scripps Ranch Blvd. and Appaloosa Dr. intersection. Go across the road and down Appaloosa Dr. The road is lightly traveled and many times I eschew running on the sidewalk and run the road.

Turn left at Appaloosa Dr. and Willow Creek and go slightly uphill on Willow Creek before dropping down the hill and then turning left on Pomerado Rd and Willow Creek Rd.

Follow Pomerado eastbound to the start on the corner of Pomerado and Scripps Ranch Blvd.

Things to Remember:

• This is a trail run. Wear appropriate shoes and be careful of tripping hazards.
• There may or may not be snakes. I’ve never seen one on the trail before but I’ve never seen the Pope but still believe he exists.

Why I like this run:

• For me this is about a 30 min run.
• Shade covers most of the run. In the summer evenings it can be cooler on the trail than in my house.
• It is a trail run. I love trail runs. Running outside is so much better than running on a treadmill.
• There are challenging hills on the trail.

Why I don’t like this run:

• There are challenging hills on the trail. I know this was under why I like this run but the hills can be a bitch on a day that you don’t feel like running.
• You sometimes come across people’s litter before the city can send out crews to clean it off the trail.

Daley Ranch – Ranch House Short Loop

Daley Ranch – Ranch House Short Loop

The Hike:

• About 2.5 miles. Loop.
• 400-500 foot elevation gain/loss.
• My girlfriend and I did it in about 1.5 hours with a twenty minute break at the ranch house.

How to get there:

• From highway 15 exit El Norte Parkway east. (El Norte Parkway is a little north of Escondido and the 78-15 intersection.)
• Go east on El Norte and then turn left (north) on La Honda Drive. When you see the big sign for Daley Ranch you’re there.
• Amazingly enough you don’t have to pay for parking.

Start the hike:


Start the hike by walking under the ranch sign and heading up the road for about 25 yards. You’ll be come back out along the road so don't worry about not seeing where it goes.

Turn right onto the Creek Crossing trail. This hike will be almost completely in the sun for the whole of it. Bring a hat and some sunscreen.

Along this section of trail you can look to the south and see Dixon Lake and other hills and valleys. Continue along the trail and check out the Yucca and other native shrubs and rock formations of the area.

Note: Be cautious of mountain bikers plummeting down the hills in this area. They are suppose to yield to hikers but be proactive in assuming responsibility for your own safety and stay to one side of the trail to allow them to pass.

When you come to the first trail to your left take it, it should be the East Ridge trail and there will be a sign. This will start the only real up hill portion of the hike. It only last a quarter mile and then you’ll be heading down hill. The East Ridge trail climbs out of a small valley where you may or may not cross a creek depending on whether it rained or not.

Eventually, you will top a hill and look into the valley. You will be immediately able to see the difference between the valley and the surrounding country side.










The valley has a lush green look compared to the valley and as you hike down the trail toward the Ranch House you will come across two small ponds. The pond to the right was little more than a mud hole while the one to the left is big enough to have a small island in the center of it. If you like birds they will be flitting about between the ponds and the ranch house.

The East Ridge trail will let you out onto the road leading to the Ranch house so you should turn toward the buildings you see to the north.

There is a ranch house that would look nice had there not been yellow caution tape draped across the porch. You cann't walk to it because there is a sign that cautions that it is still privet property. There are a couple more dilapidated ranch hand houses and the such but the attractive part of the area for me was the large lush trees shading a handful of picnic tables over looking an old cool looking barn. Somewhere in this area you will find a port-o-potty, a pay phone, and a water spicket (yes I know it's spelled spigot but I'm not the high-falutin sort) on the front of an old ranch hand house.


The trail back is straight down the ranch house road which is slightly shaded with some overhanging trees. It will at some point become blacktop. We were there on an overcast day but could still see the mountains to the east through the atmospheric haze. You could also see into Escondido but the haze blurred it all. I’m sure on a clear day you could get some very good views.

Side note: There is a shuttle from the base of the road to the ranch house and back. I believe it is free. If you are able it is only a half mile back to the car down the road.

After reaching the bottom of the trail consider whether you want to check out Dixon Lake. Drive in and pay $3 parking or walk in for free.

Things to remember:

• It is in east county so it will probably be blazing hot during mid day. Hike in the morning or late evening and bring plenty of water.
• In the summer everything will most likely be brown.
• There may be mountain lions and the such. If you see one: stand tall or in a group, yell, clap hands, and anything else to scare it off. If attacked fight back.
• There may be rattle snakes. Avoidance of the rattle snake is the best option. Wait till it’s off the trail or think about turning back or going around.

Side Note: I originally wrote “There may be rattle snacks.” If you come across a rattle snack then I suggest you clean it, cook it, eat it, and chase it down with a beer.

Why I like this hike:

• The little barn is neat to take a picture in front of and there is plenty of shade for a picnic. If you were a painter or the introspective type it is a good place to hang.
• The views which stretch out over the meadows and mountain ranges are rewarding.
• There are many side branches and different trails to use if you feel like hiking further.
• This is a busy mountain biking park and I like to mountain bike so the hike was a nice little scouting trip.

What I don’t like on this hike:

• The lack of shade for the majority of the hike going out to the ranch could be uncomfortable.
• If you have seen any of the east county topography it is just more of the same.
• The lakes will probably all be dry by the middle of summer.
• There are many mountain bikers and even though I like to mountain bike I find mountain bikers annoying when you are just out for a hike and they blaze by kicking up dust in your nose.



Other things Found on the trail:

Flowers .

A Woodpecker pecking.

Big Laguna Lake – Sunset Trail Approach

Big Laguna Lake – Sunset Trail Approach

The Hike:

• About 6-7 miles. Mixed loop and out and back.
• Little elevation gain loss. About 400-500 feet.
• I did it in 2.5 hours while meandering about, eating beagles, watching ducks, and generally lollygagging around.

How to get there:

• From Highway 8 take the Sunrise Highway (S1) north (this will be east of San Diego by about 45 minutes or so).
• Drive north on the Sunrise Highway until mile marker 19. You will see this little I-dunno-what-decking thing and someplace to park on the side of the road. The hike starts 100 yards or so north of the decking.
• NOTE: You need a day parking pass to park in the park. Purchase one at the lodge, visitor center, or anyplace else you can find. The lodge and visitor center are north of the hike start. About 3-4 min.

Start the hike:

Just north of the deck thing and mile marker 19 there will be a sign for the Sunrise Highway (S1) and directly across the highway sign the hike starts and is marked by another nondescript sign.

Immediately you will find your self walking through a sparsely wooded landscape of vanilla scented Jeffery Pine, small gnarled oak, and short grass. The trees will give the sun weary hiker some manner of protection for the majority of this hike.





Quickly you will come to a split. The left fork is the one you want and is marked by a sign with a sticker letting you know you are on the Sunset trail. This trail will dip and wind through copses of trees and large boulders and is tranquil and quiet.

Soon you should be able to look to the west and see why this is called the Sunset trail. I was told that on a clear day you can see the ocean through the valleys of other mountain ranges to the west. On the cloudy day I went all I could see were more mountain ranges but the experience was nice and I was a little surprised to find it so close to the cliffs that drop of into the dessert below.

SIDE NOTE: Do drive beyond the visitor center and find a desert overlook. It is quite the view down into the desert. I’ll be going back to watch the sun rise over the dessert in a few weeks.

Almost all of the elevation gain and loss will be on this part of the hike. You’ll keep dipping lower and lower by small fits and starts. The terrain will roughly remain the same and then you may hear the tinkling of water. This will be a sign that the first pond “Water of the Woods” is coming up.


The first pond was a little surprising as you come out of the woods quickly to its shore. We startled some ducks and other birds and then we were looking out over the pond and into a huge meadow. There will be a trail going left from the one you are on and will pass over the berm that is the dam for the river. Go across the pond.

On the other side of the pond is another fork and it’ll be were we leave the Sunset trail and set out on a side trail to Big Laguna Lake. Take the trail on the right and wrap yourself around a small knoll. You’ll now be out of the tree line and will be able to look over the entirety of the meadowlands.

Eventually you will come to a rock near the side of the trail and it looks like there are old Native American grinding holes in the rock. They could be something else but I’m going to convince myself that Native Americans ground corn or flour there once upon a time ago.

Big Laguna Lake shows up soon enough and you can hike the perimeter of it if you want to add an extra mile to your hike. This is where my gal and I sat and ate and smelled the air. We explored around a little and found nothing too much of interest beside the view and the wildlife. It was fun but at the same time I would keep in mind that in summer the “lakes” will be dry and there will probably be no ducks or green grass.

Hike back the way you came to the first lake, and where you took a left and crossed the berm, you will want to turn left again and head east and out toward your car. The scenery will change slightly as you head back into the tree line and, possibly, some much needed shade. If you get to a fence and a choice of trail, just pick the straight trail that passes through the fence. It should be the most traveled trail also.

Find your car and then go north on the highway and look out onto the dessert or take the Sunrise highway to Julian and get some apple pie. Things to remember:

• You need a day parking pass to park on the side of the road anywhere inside the park (The lodge and visitor center are north of the hike start. About 3-4 min).
• In the summer everything will most likely be brown.
• There may be mountain lions and the such. If you see one: stand tall or in a group, yell, clap hands, and anything else to scare it off. If attacked fight back.

Why I like this hike:

• There are plenty of trees and dappled meadows.
• The views which stretch out over the meadows and mountain ranges are rewarding.
• There are many side branches and different trails to use if you feel like hiking further.

What I don’t like on this hike:

• The “lakes” are really just slowly draining puddles. I mean they are dammed to keep the water in. However, there are no fish, or reeds, or anything else that makes something a lake.
• At the end of summer the lakes are bone dry.
• I missed the wildflower bloom by a month. It was my fault but I was still hoping to see a few.

Vertical Hold – Miramar

Vertical Hold – Miramar

The Adventure:

• Indoor rock climbing at the Vertical Hold gym in Miramar.


• 2-3 Hours of climbing.


• I was in a group of 8++ so the cost was $15 for about 3 hours. Check out their web page for updated fees, rental cost, and store hours.
  
  
  

How to get there:

• It is located at 9580 Distribution Ave, San Diego, CA 92121


• It is on Distribution Ave between highways 805 and 15.


• It is a little closer to the 805 than the 5.

Start the adventure:

My girlfriend and I met an online social group to go climbing even though I had been to the gym before and I was happy I did. The gym is pretty impressive in size and number of routes, at least for someone like me who has no real idea of the rock climbing culture.

There are rock climbing walls marked by skill level for anyone brave enough to try. Also there is an area for the experience “Lead rope” climbers with under-hangs and random things I have no idea of what they are called. There are two bouldering areas; one upstairs called “The cave” and one in the center of the gym downstairs that doesn’t have a name.

We had a gal name Lorene help us and she was quite nice and patient with the group in teaching everyone how to tie a figure 8 climbing knot (you will have to learn their method of tying off and belaying to be able to climb in the gym) and belaying techniques.

Now, I had been climbing before so my girlfriend and I left the group before everyone else was ready and started climbing. It would be retarded to tell you everywhere I climbed so I will just tell you that I climbed walls and boulders and it was a fantastic workout. I’m personally not sure what in the world gives you a better full body workout than rock climbing.

I was bouldering before everyone got there so by the time I started go up the walls my arms where already a little tired. I had only climbed two walls before I was tired enough to take a break for a while

Now, there are a couple ways to go about picking what you’re going to climb. The routes are marked with colored flags. So you can choose to climb up using any hand hold and foot hold, or, you can pick a color and climb by using only the properly color coded hand holds and foot holds.

Going and paying in a group - and all that - will also allow you to use the upstairs for a party if you would like and they will set up some tables for your food and the such when you get there.

Stop when you get so tired that you can not possibly move your arm any longer

Things to remember:

• You will have to sign a waiver that says if you hang yourself that they are not responsible.


• You will be so tired that you will not want to do anything later in the day.


• You may get sore hands from all the awesome indoor rock climbing you did.
  

Why I like this adventure:

• You can go at your own pace and skill level.


• It is relatively cheap.


• I feel like I’ve did something at the end of the day.

Why I don’t like this adventure:

• The rental shoes smell like a boy’s locker room.


• The bouldering area is a little too hard for my skill level.


• The rental shoes smell like a boy’s locker room – I know I already said it but it bares repeating as it really is the worse thing about the experience.
  
  

Los Penasquitos Canyon – East Approach

Los Penasquitos Canyon – East Approach

The hike:

• About 6-7 miles out and back.
• Very little altitude gain/loss. Less than 200 feet.
• I did it in 3 hours at a slow walk with time out to eat, take pictures, and climbing on the rocks.

How to get there:

• From the I-15 take the Mercy Road/Scripps Poway exit westbound. This will be Mercy Road I believe.
• This road will come to a T intersection and time to make a choice.

1. Straight ahead at the T intersection is the official parking lot. It will cost a few bucks to park there and will add ½ - ¾ miles to your hike.
2. Turn north (right) onto Black Mountain road and take the first left into the recreation area with the baseball diamonds and soccer fields. I do not know the name of this road but it will be the only a few yards from the T intersection. Take this road to the last baseball diamond and park. This is where the hike will start.

Start the hike:

Immediately south of the last baseball diamond is a trail marked by some signage. This part of the trail system has a river crossing, with bridge, and merges with some of the visitor center self-guided nature trail.

Follow this little trail across the river and turn right at the first opportunity. This will be the fire road on the south side of the park. Both sides of the river have fire roads that can be used by anyone: biker, hiker, and equestrian. Start hiking west.

It will be next to impossible to get lost along this hike as the park is in a long canyon bracketed with houses and fire roads. There will be many single-track spurs only available to hikers and equestrian users. Pick the first one closest to the river as you come to it. This hike follows the single track paralleling the river.

You will immediately begin weaving in and out of the trees and meadows along the valleys south side. This side has the most vegetation and you can actually separate your self from the masses riding and walking the fire roads.

There will be small spruce, oak and palm trees. There are also various flowers and grasses growing under the shaded path.

For as brown and chaparral ridden as the San Diego countryside is this will be a nice wooded hike that will allow you to dodge the heat of the southern Californian sun.

Follow this trail as it winds itself toward the ultimate goal of the hike: the canyon’s waterfall. The waterfall will be almost smack dab in the middle of the canyon. The single-track trail will meander somewhat and may at times reconnect with the fire road. Just keep on picking it as your choice at splits and you will be pleasantly surprised at how nice it is closer to the river. However, if you feel like you want to get to the waterfall faster just walk on the fire road.

At about 3 miles into the hike you will finally get to the waterfall. There are signs on the north fire road marking the spot. On the south side look for some really large rocks and horse tie downs that you can also lock a bike to.

Now, these are not the best falls in San Diego but it is nice to listen to the river and sit on the rocks to have lunch. In the spring they will be fuller and more exciting than in the fall but there will always be water there. This is a very rocky area and if you chose you can do some minor bouldering and the such. There is a park bench on the north side if you do not like sitting on rocks.

Caution: The rocks are very slick at times and especially when wet. Be careful.

Follow the same path back to your car or walk down the fire road on either north or south side or the river. The fire roads are quicker but not as "woodsy feeling" if you get my drift.

Things to remember:

• The park is closed the day after it rains.
• The pay parking is closed at sundown and the parking near the baseball diamond closes at 11pm.
• It cost money to park in the official parking lot at the end of Mercy road.
• There will be horses and bikers using the fire roads and horses on the single-track trails.
• There is coyote in the valley. Do not run or turn your back if one is near you. Face it down, stand tall or together in a group, and make loud noises to scare it off.

Why I like this hike:

• It’s flat and easy.
• You are going to a specific point (the water falls).
• There is shade and tree’s to be had on the single-track trail on the parks south side.

What I don’t like on this hike:

• This is a popular park and there can be many people using it at times.
• Do not go and expect total isolation.You can see homes lining the rim of the valley.

Previous Adventures

This is the blog post to go to if you want to read past hikes/bikes/adventures without scrolling through a ton of web pages. I will update this posting with links to new posts as they are completed.

Easy Hikes:

• Los Penasquitos Canyon – East Approach
• Big Laguna Lake – Sunset Trail Approach
• Daley Ranch - Ranch House Short Loop

Trail Runs:

• Scripps Ranch Trail Run - Moderatly Hard Loop

Adventures:

• Vertical Hold - Mirimar