Hardly anyone moves to San Diego because of its back country. Anyone who is drawn here by nature moves here for the beaches. Or at least the temperate climate that nearness to the sea provides. But after a while, even the most devout sun worshipper grows weary of preening his tan. The allure of mountain pines and starry skies and clear dry air tempts any San Diegan after a while.
But why satisfy this temptation by packing hiking boots and Kelty backpack 6 or 7 or 10 hours away to the high or low Sierras? Why not take the opportunity to explore what is here in San Diego County, only one hour away?
CALIFORNIA RIDING AND HIKING
For the rugged, hubristic hero, who has already conquered, or is thinking of conquering, the John Muir Trail, there is the San Diego portion of the old California Riding and Hiking Trail. A nice 400 mile jaunt from just east of Chula Vista’s Otay Reservoir all the way to just north of Warner Springs in the Anza Borrego Desert. The Trail, commissioned by the State twenty years ago, is mostly dirt road and has been largely abandoned in deference to the highly-touted, not-yet-finished Pacific Crest Trail to the east.
The Riding and Hiking Trail suffers the disadvantage of its flammable flora (no fires allowed anywhere but designated campgrounds) and the obstacles of so many parcels of private property to cross. But if one plans his way out, the entire Trail could make an invigorating 30-day vacation.
THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL
The Pacific Crest Trail has enjoyed the publicity of a full feature story in National Geographic as well as several articles in San Diego mass media. And perhaps rightly so. When the Trail is completed (by the end of 1975, say its builders), it will be a properly marked and pruned hiking trail, winding its way from Tecate, along the scenic mountain crests of the Pacific Coast the entire length of the state. Here, on the San Diego County portion, progress moves steadily on. For those who are anxious to try out the Trail’s finished sections, a 10-mile piece in the eastern end of Cleveland National Forest, running from Pioneer Mail Campground (about three miles northwest of Mt. Laguna) south to Horse Meadows, has just been completed. The Laguna Rim portion of the Trail (near Mt. Laguna) is done but for some final pruning. And a section from Yellow Rose Springs up to Cibbets Flats (directly south of Mt. Laguna) will be ready by this December. For more information on the Pacific Coast Trail, call the Cleveland National Forest at 293-5050.
SUGGESTED BACK PACKS
For the person who still considers himself a rugged individualist but is not adventurous enough to try the whole Riding and Hiking Trail or test the unfinished Pacific Crest Trail, there is the list of 2— or 3— day backpacks, mostly on parts of the Riding and Hiking Trail, suggested by the Boy Scouts:
15 Mile Round Trip
From Los Caballos Public campground to Arroyo Seco primitive camp and return— both in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (15 miles).
From Trail crossing at Sunrise Highway (S-l) to Banner Store private campground and return— just north of Cuyamaca State Park (18.6 miles).
Catholic Mission Church about 1/2 mile north of Warner Springs to Indian Flats U.S. Forest Service public campground and return (16.8 miles).
30 Mile Round Trip
Old Mission Church in Viejas Indian Reservation to - Arroyo Seco Primitive Camp and return (33.8 miles).
Hual-Cu-Cuish Boy Scout campground in Cuyamaca State Park to Banner Store private campground and return (30.0 miles).
Junction of San Felipe (S-2) and Montezuma (S-3) Roads to Indian Flats U.S. Forest Service public campgrounds and return (33.4 miles).
DAY HIKES
The soft-core hiker need not despair at the foregoing list of backpacks. There are, in fact, even more trails for the one-day hiker:
Cleveland National Forest— Descanso District
Cleveland National Forest— Palomar District
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Cuyamaca is probably the most accessible of all the trail areas. The turn-off for the State Park is on Interstate 8, 12 miles east of El Cajon (Highway 79 north). At the Green Valley Campground, about 2 miles beyond the turn-off, you can get a small map for free from the access ranger. This map outlines the miles and miles of trails, firebreaks, and primitive roads in Cuyamaca. Here are four favorites:
If interested in making camp at Cuyamaca in order to hike out from camp, one has to either reserve space far in advance with Ticketron or else arrive Friday morning before the weekend. The campgrounds are almost always full on weekends year-round. There is no camping allowed on the Cuyamaca trails, and dogs aren’t allowed because their scent scares away the deer.
Hardly anyone moves to San Diego because of its back country. Anyone who is drawn here by nature moves here for the beaches. Or at least the temperate climate that nearness to the sea provides. But after a while, even the most devout sun worshipper grows weary of preening his tan. The allure of mountain pines and starry skies and clear dry air tempts any San Diegan after a while.
But why satisfy this temptation by packing hiking boots and Kelty backpack 6 or 7 or 10 hours away to the high or low Sierras? Why not take the opportunity to explore what is here in San Diego County, only one hour away?
CALIFORNIA RIDING AND HIKING
For the rugged, hubristic hero, who has already conquered, or is thinking of conquering, the John Muir Trail, there is the San Diego portion of the old California Riding and Hiking Trail. A nice 400 mile jaunt from just east of Chula Vista’s Otay Reservoir all the way to just north of Warner Springs in the Anza Borrego Desert. The Trail, commissioned by the State twenty years ago, is mostly dirt road and has been largely abandoned in deference to the highly-touted, not-yet-finished Pacific Crest Trail to the east.
The Riding and Hiking Trail suffers the disadvantage of its flammable flora (no fires allowed anywhere but designated campgrounds) and the obstacles of so many parcels of private property to cross. But if one plans his way out, the entire Trail could make an invigorating 30-day vacation.
THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL
The Pacific Crest Trail has enjoyed the publicity of a full feature story in National Geographic as well as several articles in San Diego mass media. And perhaps rightly so. When the Trail is completed (by the end of 1975, say its builders), it will be a properly marked and pruned hiking trail, winding its way from Tecate, along the scenic mountain crests of the Pacific Coast the entire length of the state. Here, on the San Diego County portion, progress moves steadily on. For those who are anxious to try out the Trail’s finished sections, a 10-mile piece in the eastern end of Cleveland National Forest, running from Pioneer Mail Campground (about three miles northwest of Mt. Laguna) south to Horse Meadows, has just been completed. The Laguna Rim portion of the Trail (near Mt. Laguna) is done but for some final pruning. And a section from Yellow Rose Springs up to Cibbets Flats (directly south of Mt. Laguna) will be ready by this December. For more information on the Pacific Coast Trail, call the Cleveland National Forest at 293-5050.
SUGGESTED BACK PACKS
For the person who still considers himself a rugged individualist but is not adventurous enough to try the whole Riding and Hiking Trail or test the unfinished Pacific Crest Trail, there is the list of 2— or 3— day backpacks, mostly on parts of the Riding and Hiking Trail, suggested by the Boy Scouts:
15 Mile Round Trip
From Los Caballos Public campground to Arroyo Seco primitive camp and return— both in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (15 miles).
From Trail crossing at Sunrise Highway (S-l) to Banner Store private campground and return— just north of Cuyamaca State Park (18.6 miles).
Catholic Mission Church about 1/2 mile north of Warner Springs to Indian Flats U.S. Forest Service public campground and return (16.8 miles).
30 Mile Round Trip
Old Mission Church in Viejas Indian Reservation to - Arroyo Seco Primitive Camp and return (33.8 miles).
Hual-Cu-Cuish Boy Scout campground in Cuyamaca State Park to Banner Store private campground and return (30.0 miles).
Junction of San Felipe (S-2) and Montezuma (S-3) Roads to Indian Flats U.S. Forest Service public campgrounds and return (33.4 miles).
DAY HIKES
The soft-core hiker need not despair at the foregoing list of backpacks. There are, in fact, even more trails for the one-day hiker:
Cleveland National Forest— Descanso District
Cleveland National Forest— Palomar District
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Cuyamaca is probably the most accessible of all the trail areas. The turn-off for the State Park is on Interstate 8, 12 miles east of El Cajon (Highway 79 north). At the Green Valley Campground, about 2 miles beyond the turn-off, you can get a small map for free from the access ranger. This map outlines the miles and miles of trails, firebreaks, and primitive roads in Cuyamaca. Here are four favorites:
If interested in making camp at Cuyamaca in order to hike out from camp, one has to either reserve space far in advance with Ticketron or else arrive Friday morning before the weekend. The campgrounds are almost always full on weekends year-round. There is no camping allowed on the Cuyamaca trails, and dogs aren’t allowed because their scent scares away the deer.
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