Introduction

Welcome to Easy Hikes Close to Home: San Diego. This title in the Easy Hikes series is organized according to three regions: Coast; Mountains; and Inland.

Numbered map icons to locate each primary trailhead and are keyed to the table of contents and narrative text for each trail. The map legend defines symbols for parking, restrooms, trail features, and other details. Armed with this handy guidebook, you can quickly head out the door and, well, take a hike!

OVERVIEW

Mileage shown for each hike corresponds to the total distance from start to finish, for loops, out-and-backs, figure eights, or a combination of shapes. You can shorten or extend some of them with connecting trails.

HIKING ESSENTIALS

Boots should be your footwear of choice. Sport sandals are popular, but they leave much of your foot exposed and vulnerable to hazardous plants, thorns, rocks, and sharp twigs.

When it comes to water, err on the side of excess. Hydrate prior to your hike, carry (and drink) six ounces of water for every mile you plan to hike, and hydrate after the hike. Pack along a couple of small bottles of water even for short hikes. You may decide to linger on the trail, or take an alternate route and extend your time outdoors.

Always plan for unpredictable scenarios by carrying these items, in addition to water:

Map

Compass

Basic first-aid supplies, such as Band-Aids and aspirin

Knife

Windproof matches or a lighter and fire starter

Snacks

Flashlight with extra batteries

Rain protection and a sweater or windbreaker, even in warm weather

Sun protection

Insect repellent

Whistle

GENERAL TIPS

The whole point of your outing is to enjoy nature, fresh air, and exercise. Here are a few tips to enhance your excursion:

• Avoid weekends and traditional holidays if possible; otherwise, go early in the morning. Trails that are packed in the summer are often clear during the colder months and during rainy times (but never hike during a thunderstorm).
• Before you hit the trail, double-check your map, and don’t set out on the trail until you have the information you need.
• Once on the trail, be careful at overlooks, stay back from the edge of outcrops, and be absolutely sure of your footing wherever you are.
• Hike on open trails only. Respect trail and road closures, avoid trespassing on private land, and obtain permits if required. Leave gates as you found them or as marked.
• Stay on the existing trail, and avoid any littering.
• When hiking with children, use common sense to judge a child’s capacity to hike a particular trail, and expect that the child may tire and need to be carried. Make sure children are adequately clothed for the weather, have proper shoes, and are protected from the sun with sunscreen. Kids dehydrate quickly, so make sure you have plenty of fluids for everyone.
• Take your time along the trails, whether you are doing one of this guide’s short hikes or hours-long treks. In other words: Don’t miss the trees for the forest. You may finish some of the “hike times” long before or after that suggested in the Overview box. A short-distance hike with a lot of up-and-downs may take more time and energy than a longer, flatter hike.
• Participate in some online wildlife observation counts. Cornell Lab of Ornithology operates www.ebird.org where you can login for free and submit bird lists or find out what’s being seen at some of the area’s birding hot spots. A similar count is being done for butterflies at www.wisconsinbutterflies.org/
  butterflies/sightings.
• Never spook animals. An unannounced approach, a sudden movement, or a loud noise startles most animals, and a surprised animal can be dangerous. Give them plenty of space.
• Be courteous to others you encounter on the trails.
• Look up! Keep an eye out for standing dead trees and storm-damaged living trees with loose or broken limbs that can fall at any time.
• Know your ability, and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions.