17 Lake Hodges: North Shore Trail

OVERVIEW

LENGTH: 4.5 miles

CONFIGURATION: One-way

SCENERY: Views of the lake, birds, and a creek

EXPOSURE: Mostly sunny

TRAFFIC: Heavy on weekends

TRAIL SURFACE: Sandy dirt

HIKING TIME: 3.5 hours

ACCESS: Free

MAPS: Call (858) 674-2270

FACILITIES: There is a portable toilet across the street from trailhead, restrooms near the concession stand, and another portable toilet along the lake.

SPECIAL COMMENTS: During fishing season, a concession stand is open near the picnic area.

SNAPSHOT

This easy hike is overrun by bicyclists on the weekends, but weekdays (outside fishing season) are quiet and serene.

CLOSE-UP

From the parking lot, head south on the paved walkway that makes the first section accessible for people with disabilities. I-15 runs along the right side of this paved area for about 0.5 miles. Sage scrub, black sage, and California buckwheat grow close to the trail, scenting the air. On windy days, the rustling of grasses in the meadows to the left sounds like ocean waves and dulls the roar of traffic on the adjacent interstate.

The walkway bends to the right, ducking under the freeway. In the spring, cliff swallows gather by the thousands, swooping to and from their mud nests beneath the freeway. The paved walkway bears right in the cool shade where cyclists speed by (be careful!) and heads north for a short distance until the pavement ends and the dirt trail begins.

Turn left onto the level trail to head southwest. Notice that old cracked asphalt clings to the ground in some places, remnants of Old Highway (US) 395, which served as the main vehicle road until the interstate was built.

The route bends to the right, heading northwest, and the freeway sounds begin to fade, leaving the airwaves open to birdsong. Quails, startled from their foraging in the brush, will flutter across the path, and finches twitter in the bush.

Another 0.25 miles bring the trail to an oasis of sorts, with sprawling oaks and palm trees growing near Felicita Creek. Use rocks to cross the creek (bicyclists splash right through), then head uphill about 50 yards. The trail turns left, climbing southwest for a short distance.

Continue southwest on the wide, flat trail, which will soon bear to the right (northwest) again. Even in drier years, you will begin to see the lake water along this stretch. Follow the route downhill; a 0.5-mile stretch runs closer to the water. Cottontails may dart out onto the path here, and roadrunners hop out of the prickly-pear cactus that grows in massive clumps. Bright-orange California dodder and wild cucumber vines top the cactus formations like zany wigs.

A metal gate leads to the parking lot, concessions, and restrooms—facilities are open only during fishing season, which is generally March through October. The hike continues from the northwest corner of the parking lot, but if you like to picnic, this is a logical stopping point. Grassy areas hold tree-shaded picnic tables.

Continuing the hike, you will turn right and follow the asphalt path a short way. Watch for the dirt trail on the left, and follow the path with a view of the lake for about 0.25 miles. There is another parking lot here; this one has a portable toilet and a cement pathway leading down to the lake through stands of mulefat, leather root, and other tall bushes.

Back on the trail, you’ll pass another parking area and reach a shady area and parking lot near Lake Drive across from the Del Dios Country Store.

MORE FUN

Back at the Sunset Drive trailhead, you can cross the road to see the Sikes Adobe Farmhouse that was built from adobe bricks in the late 1800s and is one of the oldest structures in San Diego County.

TO THE TRAILHEAD

To do this as a one-way hike, take cars on I-15 to Via Rancho Parkway and head west for 3 miles. Turn left on Lake Drive and park across from Del Dios Country Store, about 0.9 miles from the Lake Drive turnoff. In the second vehicle, travel back up to Via Rancho Parkway and head east for about 3.5 miles. Turn right on Sunset Drive and follow it less than 0.1 mile to the end, where there is a small parking lot at the trailhead.