13 Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve: West End to Waterfall Loop

OVERVIEW

LENGTH: 6 miles

CONFIGURATION: Loop

SCENERY: Oak forest, birds, creek, and waterfall

EXPOSURE: Mostly sunny

TRAFFIC: Heavy on weekends

TRAIL SURFACE: Packed dirt, river rock, silt, and leaf litter

HIKING TIME: 3 hours

ACCESS: Free

MAPS: Available online at www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/penasq.shtml

FACILITIES: Portable toilet at the West End parking lot

SPECIAL COMMENTS: Open from 8 a.m.–dusk. A favorite of many, the preserve sees numerous bicyclists, runners, and walkers on weekends. If you want a quiet hike, come on a weekday.

SNAPSHOT

The creek provides a relaxing riparian backdrop in this popular preserve. The 3,720-acre oasis of nature amid the traffic and city excitement offers a home to wildlife such as coyotes, birds, and rabbits.

CLOSE-UP

Access the trail at the east end of the large parking lot to head through the dense, cool shade provided by sycamore trees. At the kiosk about 100 yards from the trailhead, go left beneath the Sorrento Valley Boulevard bridge. Begin heading northeast, up the hill. The trail soon levels off.

In the spring, you’ll spot fuzzy caterpillars also hiking this route. As if racing against the clock, the tiny creatures move quickly, leaving behind smooth channels in the dirt. On a recent visit, we counted 92. Look carefully. Perhaps you’ll count even more.

The route descends into the canyon and joins another trail at about 0.6 miles. You’ll head right (east) here and soon spot a sign marked “Wagon Wheel Crossing” on the left. Continue past this for now, taking note of the water level. Decide whether you will feel comfortable crossing from the other side or will need to find another route across the creek (other options are described below).

The route surface changes to coarse gravel and small, smooth river rocks as you continue east. Watch for bright red splashes of California fuchsia and perhaps see coyote scat full of fur—evidence of a thriving canyon population sustained by rabbits and other rodents. In the spring, you may hear pups practicing their yelps from within the off-trail brush, even during the day.

At 1.5 miles, a rocky viewpoint where the trail bends south offers a look up the creek toward the waterfall. The route straightens again, heading into oak forest with lots of shade. Wood roses are among the flowers here. You might also spot the feathery herb chamomile growing in clumps midtrail. Where there are flowers there are butterflies, and you’ll likely see a variety flitting about here. Bigger river rocks make it easier to carefully cross this stretch.

At about 2 miles, you’ll pass the “Sycamore Crossing” path on the left. Check the water level here to help you decide where to cross the creek. To reach the waterfall, continue another 1 mile east on mostly level ground that is open to the sunlight. Rocky in areas, the trail has a variety of sage and mint plants growing alongside it, pleasantly scenting the air. At the waterfall on the left, rock steps lead toward the water. On weekends you’ll find bustling activity up and down the creek banks all around the waterfall. Some hikers choose to cross here, scampering across the rocks like agile mountain goats. Others meander upstream, then remove shoes to trek across the shallow waters. You could also continue on the main trail for about another 0.5 miles to Carson’s Crossing, where there is a bridge, or stop here and return on the same route by which you came. Be wary of snakes that also visit this area. Rattlesnakes are not uncommon anywhere in the canyon, but are as attracted to the water as human visitors.

Assuming you’ve crossed near the waterfall, watch for poison oak as you head right and up the trail along the split-rail fencing. Head slightly east above the creek, then north back to a wide main trail, where you’ll go left (west) to begin the return loop. After several yards, the trail splits right and left. Head left down toward the creek, where you get good views of the babbling water as it moves west.

Cross two cement bridges and continue on a path above the creek. The narrow path gradually loses altitude, descending almost to creek level for a time. Sycamores dot the meadow as the trail heads into open space and continues west. The canyon is quieter on this side of the creek. Watch and listen for signs of life: lizards, birds, and perhaps a cottontail rabbit hopping along in early morning or late afternoon looking for a snack. Be respectful of any wildlife and plants in the canyon. You’ll notice multiple bicycle tire and foot tracks layered along the trail, where visitors do the least damage to this natural habitat. But having planned paths doesn’t protect all the wildlife. Occasionally, a creature as fascinating as the seldom-seen millipede lies dead in the middle of the path—the victim of a fast-moving bicyclist.

If you decided on the way out that Sycamore Crossing is your best way across, watch for the sign about 1 mile from the waterfall. Cross, then take the trail on the south side of the creek back to the beginning. If you decided on Wagon Wheel Crossing, head left at the sign and wade through the water, or find a nearby shallower spot to get to the other side.

Once across, head west for a short distance, then south up over the hill. Under the bridge, the mule-fat bushes release cottony fuzz in the spring, spilling white bits of fluff into the air where they drift on the breeze. At the kiosk, head right and back to the parking lot and civilization.

TO THE TRAILHEAD

Take I-5 to Carmel Valley Road and drive east for 0.2 miles. At El Camino Real, turn right and continue for another mile to Carmel Mountain Road. Turn right, travel 0.6 miles to Sorrento Valley Road and turn left. Another 0.3 miles brings you to Sorrento Valley Boulevard. Turn left again (at the traffic signal) and go 1 mile to the staging area on the right.