Hiking/walking in Sam diego mountains

Bobalos

Bobalos

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Does anyone have any suggestions for some hiking in the SD mountains? 

I'm after something in the 4 to 10 mile length. Dirt paths are great.  Not looking for mountain climbing or climbing over boulders.  

I'd like to stay away from Julian, I'm guessing they are going to be pretty busy with the holiday. 

 
This one is pretty cool...it's a somewhat new facility with a large gravel parking lot - most people seem to not notice the parking lot as they still park on the 79 at that preserve sign on the top of the screen shot. Park by the nature center shown in the middle. You can do a large circle, or an even larger one if you split off on the Y's...I did this last fall - nice openings, saw some deer, cows, oak trees, etc. It's some elevation changes, but nothing crazy.  Somewhat near Julian, but prob far enough away to not be too crowded.

Santa Ysabel Nature Center (sdparks.org)

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Bobalos said:
Does anyone have any suggestions for some hiking in the SD mountains? 

I'm after something in the 4 to 10 mile length. Dirt paths are great.  Not looking for mountain climbing or climbing over boulders.  

I'd like to stay away from Julian, I'm guessing they are going to be pretty busy with the holiday. 
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Iron mtn, potato chip rock, pedro fages trail (easy but pretty bland scenery) big laguna lake meadow (access from los huecos rd or lagun prado campground, red tail roost, mccain valley, 

fyi; this weekend is opener for deer season

 
I'm not much into hiking but Volcan Mtn is one if the coolest places I've done.  (95% with vehicles since i used to work there) The summit is sweet.

You cut over at Wynola instead of having to go through Julian. 

Doesn't get busy like Iron Mtn or Potato Chip.  That place is a zoo every day of the week.

 
You wont run into many if any people on the “flume trail” in lakeside/el monte canyon. Cool bit of history too

 
Bansh88 said:
I'm not much into hiking but Volcan Mtn is one if the coolest places I've done.  (95% with vehicles since i used to work there) The summit is sweet.

You cut over at Wynola instead of having to go through Julian. 

Doesn't get busy like Iron Mtn or Potato Chip.  That place is a zoo every day of the week.
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we used to hike Cowels mountain all of the time, but the last few years its been a mess.  just a bazillion people, even @ 5:30 in the morning. 

the equestrian side of MTRP is nice.  quite, well marked, challenging or boring, you can make it as long or short as you want. etc. 

One of the guys @ work suggested this.  we've never hiked up there.

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we were kind of hoping with a big weekend & it having been as warm as it was, that folks would be out of town or nursing hangovers.....  gonna head somewhere early Sat morning, just not sure where.  its way past time getting the exercise training moving again..... we are both out of shape....

 
Bobalos said:
we were kind of hoping with a big weekend & it having been as warm as it was, that folks would be out of town or nursing hangovers.....  gonna head somewhere early Sat morning, just not sure where.  its way past time getting the exercise training moving again..... we are both out of shape....
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start off slow if you have not exercised for awhile

 
Esco said:
start off slow if you have not exercised for awhile
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thanks, for sure.  We are pretty active, but 30 to 45 minute walks around the neighborhood is not getting it done.  time to stretch that back out to some miles. 

Bansh88 said:
Actually sprinkling in Julian right now!
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thanks.  KUSI said there was the possibility over the next couple of days.  we will see what we run into.  got 3 days to find a couple of hours to explore. 

 
Eagle rock in Warner springs is kinda neat if you’re up for a drive.  About 7 miles round trip if you start by the Cal Fire station. Fairly level well traveled path, about 900ft of elevation gain. 

 

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