Del Dios Gorge Trail

Artichoke Thistle, near the start of the trail - beautiful, but invasive!

It’s time for some not-so-shocking true confessions today: I’m that person who stops when he thinks that he seems something interesting. I’m the person who, when he sees something interesting goes, “Hey, that looks really neat/interesting/what-is-that/different, I should check that out!” Then, I safely determine how to check it out, or, if there’s time or other constraints, mentally file the location and mysterious (or not so mysterious) thing away for a future visit. Sometimes, these places are as awesome as I think they are. Then again, sometimes, there’s a colossal letdown when I visit these spots.

Fortunately, one of San Diego’s “newer” trails is on the more awesome side of life. For years, I’ve been driving along Del Dios Highway and through the Del Dios Gorge, and have always wondered what exactly was down there. In the brief stretches where the road was not curvy, I’d peer into the gorge, and consider whether I could bushwhack through the terrain to Lake Hodges Dam. I never did this because I knew it would be hard on the environment); hard on my body (if you’ve ever traveled cross country through heavy brush, you know what I’m talking about; and because I never had the time. In 2006, the San Dieguito River Park unintentionally read my mind, and began construction of this trail in the exactarea where I had always wanted to go as part of the “coast-to-crest” path; and in 2010 the trail opened to public use. I’m not sure what was holding me back from visiting this area the last two years, but based on my hike the other day; I’ll definitely be going back in the near future.

Del Dios Gorge Bridge

Directions:  The trailhead is located in the Del Dios Gorge parking area, which is located directly off of Del Dios Highway. If you are traveling east on Del Dios Highway, you will pass Calle Ambiente on the left, and then there will be a fruit stand that is present that will be on your immediate right. At the location of the fruit stand, there is a road that is marked with “SDRP” signs that leads to the parking area. Similarly, if you’re heading west on Del Dios, you’re going to want to find a way to turn into the fruit stand and follow the access road. Do note that this access road is closed at night, so if your car is in the lot past sunset, you may be locked in the parking area. The map from the SDRP, presented as the first link below does a great job of showing where you will turn.

From the parking area, follow the remainder of the access road to the top of a slight rise to the south, where the road dead-ends next to the Crosby Estates. This is where the Del Dios Gorge Trail starts (to the east); and where the Santa Fe Trail starts (to the west). The trail from this point is well marked, and for the first quarter to half mile, heads slightly uphill along the boundary of the Crosby Estates. While it is a bit disappointing to be directly next to civilization during this section of trail, there are great views of the mysterious Del Dios Gorge below. Depending on what season it is, you will also be able to view larger stretches of flowing water. When I went two weeks ago, there was not much water flowing, but 2012 has been a dry year, and it is summertime – but it was still cool to see what was heading through the gorge.

Lake Hodges Dam

After the initial section along, the trail traverses along the gorge, before dropping down past some interesting interpretive panels about bats, and then down into the gorge proper, where it crosses a fancy bridge that was installed specifically for the trail. This is a great spot to peer into the river, and check out the riparian terrain all surrounding you at this point. From the bridge on, however, was my favorite stretch of trail, as you are in the Del Dios Gorge proper, under partial tree cover, and next to the river. While you are technically beneath/next to Del Dios Highway at this point, I found the trail to be fairly quiet from ambient vehicle noise. At this point, the trail also begins to ascend along the side of the gorge to provide you with a great viewpoint to view the Lake Hodges Dam. At around the 1.75 mile mark, one way, there is another great interpretive panel display about wildfires, and the Dam itself. From that point, it is another slight uphill grade to have a great view of the Dam proper at the two mile point. At this point, you can elect to turn back to your car for a moderate four mile hike, or you can continue along the well-marked trail along the North Shore of Lake Hodges for an extended distance.

Tips: At 1.5 miles from the parking lot, there is a dirt access road turnoff for Lake Hodges Dam. It is impossible to miss, as it is well-marked with a plethora of “Keep-Out” signs. Although I personally would never venture into an area marked “Keep-Out”, I would suspect that if you follow it, you would have a great view of the lower area of the Lake Hodges Dam. I’m only telling you, the reader this, so you do not get lost and venture down to the Dam and receive a ticket, or get arrested, so you may consider that tip for informational use only. As for the rest, this is a great spot to jump off for a longer hike; and although I haven’t been here during the spring, I’d suspect that springtime is the best time for this trail due to wildflowers, and higher water flow in the river, and potentially over the Dam.

Trails of Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve (West)

Lower Creek Trail, June 2012

Stop the presses. I have found the quietest place in San Diego County to go hiking. That’s right. There are many quiet places, but this place is the quietest. It is a place where silence is silent. It is a place where you can not only feel, but hear the sounds of grasshoppers bouncing off your shirt. It is a place where ground squirrels sound like lions crashing through the underbrush. It’s a place with a small babbling creek, a secret lake, and plants rustling in the afternoon breeze – but nothing else. It’s also a place that looks suspiciously like a “Happy Cow” commercial from the State of California. And, if you’re lucky, you too can visit it on a day when it is not that busy, because it is not that busy almost every day.

Directions: The Preserve is located one mile west of Santa Ysabel directly off of Highway 78 on the north side of the highway. If you are coming from the west on Highway 78, the Preserve is located thirteen miles east of Ramona. The entrance/parking area is clearly signed, and there is ample parking next to the trailhead, which leaves directly from the parking lot. The trail that leaves from the parking lot is the Lower Creek Trail, and it starts out level before gaining some elevation at around the half mile mark.

Oaks near Santa Ysabel Creek, June 2012

The trail then descends for a little over a mile down to Santa Ysabel Creek. During this time, there are excellent views of the surrounding terrain, as well as great views of the many Engleman’s Oaks that are in the Preserve, along with some California Oaks as well. At Santa Ysabel Creek, the Lower Creek Trail comes to an end after 1.8 miles. If you are a novice hiker, or just out for a walk, this is a great spot to turn around for an easy 3.6 mile roundtrip hike; although it is worth noting that there is a bit of elevation gain coming back up the trail from Santa Ysabel Creek (which may or may not be present, as it is a seasonal water source).

For a little extra effort, however, you can cross the Creek and you can continue on to either the Ridge Trail or the High Creek Trail for some more stunning views. From this point, it does not matter which trail you take, as they both connect via the Coast to Crest Trail or the Shortcut Trail in a small loop. From Santa Ysabel Creek, the loop is 2.1 miles total distance. When I did this hike yesterday, I headed up the Ridge Creek Trail initially, which had the advantage of providing me with all of the elevation gain for the hike during the first half of the loop, and which meant that I had great views of the surrounding area, and had great views of the secret lake/pond which exists slightly to the west of the intersection of the High Creek and Coast to Crest trails on my descent from the Ridge Trail. The total distance for hiking all of the trails in the Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve (West) from the trailhead to the High Creek/Ridge Trail/Coast to Crest Trail loop is 5.7 miles roundtrip, and in my opinion, is a great hike to get away from everything.

 Secret pond at the Ridge Trail/Coast to Crest Trail Junction

Tips: As I mentioned above, I did this hike yesterday morning. As I drove up to Santa Ysabel, I passed Iron Mountain and its parking lot at 11 a.m. (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2012/2/11/iron-mountain.html). At that point, the parking lot was full, and there were a ton of cars on the side of the road. Look, I get it: Iron Mountain is a challenge, and is a great hike in its own respect. If you’ve never done it, and you want the satisfaction of attaining the summit, or you’re training for something, then, by all means, hike Iron Mountain. But, if you’re looking for actual quality time with Mother Nature, then I humbly suggest this network of trails (or the Sycamore Canyon/Gooden Ranch area: http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/11/30/goodan-ranchsycamore-canyon-preserve-cardiac-hill-to-ridge-t.html). When I arrived at Santa Ysabel (West), there were no cars in the parking lot, and I saw no one on the trail. Let me repeat that for a second: there was no one else there. Solitude doesn’t get much better than that!

Other things you should know: right now, its summertime, which means it’s warm. Be sure to bring plenty of water, as it can get warm, and the oaks don’t provide that much shade. Also, the trail from Santa Ysabel Creek to the Ridge Trail/High Creek Trail is somewhat steep, so be ready for a short but steep ascent. Do also note that the Preserve is home to cows. Do not chase the cows, they will chase you, and they can and will run much faster than you. My suggestion: if you leave the cows alone, they’ll leave you alone. It’s a happy arrangement for all parties. Other than that, the trails are well marked, and well maintained, and enjoy the silence and beauty of the region.

More Information: http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/reusable_components/images/parks/doc/SantaYsabelWest_Trails.pdf, http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/openspace/Santa_Ysabel.html, http://www.100peaks.com/2011/01/16/santa-ysabel-open-space-preserve-west-no-peaks-but-a-beautiful-hike/, http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/18/santa-ysabel-west-is-a-foothill-adventure/?page=1#article

Gear list for a single day climb of San Gorgonio via the Vivian Creek Trail, Spring/Summer 2012

Vivian Creek Trail, June 2012

Like the Mt. Whitney gear list (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2012/5/24/gear-list-for-a-single-day-ascent-of-the-mt-whitney-trail-sp.html) here’s my list of gear that I took up the Vivian Creek Trail last Saturday. (June 16, 2012). As always, this is a list of suggestions – not a list of mandatory items (unless we are talking food and water) – and the best gear for a summit bid is the gear that works best for you. Having said that, as it is now warm to hot in the San Gorgonio wilderness, you don’t need to carry much if you are heading out for a one-day summit bid, as any extra weight is likely to tire you out, and potentially decrease your chance of attaining the summit safely.

Mandatory (Meaning, I had to have it for the climb in June of 2012, and you should probably have it too):

1. Daypack: As noted in my Whitney list above, I run an Arc’teryx daypack; it’s a few years old so I don’t know the model number, but it’s never let me down. If I was looking to drop a few ounces to pound, I probably could find a smaller model, but as it’s comfortable and works for me, I use it all the time. 

2. Water: Despite there being a small disagreement about how long the trail is roundtrip, the one thing that everyone agrees on is that it’s over sixteen (16) miles roundtrip. When you add in the fact that it does get quite warm at the lower elevations; that San Gorgonio is quite dry this time of year; and that the altitude also dehydrates you even when you are sitting still, water should be your primary concern, and primary weight. I took 3.5 liters; which, when you think about it, isn’t that unreasonable. I was on the trail for a little over eight hours; and during that time I was exposed to high winds (which aid dehydration); high temperatures; and was engaging in strenuous physical activity. In all honesty, I probably could have taken an additional half-liter just because (not that I needed it). Obviously, everyone has to judge their conditioning and body accordingly, but as it is dry, and there is not a lot of water/snow up there at the moment, be sure you are prepared with plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Summit, San Gorgonio

3. Food: Personal preference here. It’s a day hike, so you can carry more if you want. I went fast and light with a few Clif Bars.

4. Jacket/Fleece: I know that most people will look at this item and think I’m crazy, because at the base elevation of Vivian Creek, the temperatures regularly reach 90+ during this time of year. But. Buttttttt. On Saturday, starting at slightly below treeline and to the summit, there were winds of 20-30mph. Steady, hard, blowing winds. Sure, it may be 90 at Vivian Creek, but when you get up to 11,000 feet, it will be approximately 60 degrees under calm conditions. When you add in a steady, 20-30mph wind at 11,000 feet? It suddenly is a lot colder. It’s potentially hypothermia cold. Now: will these winds be there every day? No, of course not. But, this is an item you will want to consider to be prepared for wind or sudden thunderstorms. Obviously, a review of the weather the day of your hike is the best resource; but it’s always good to be prepared for contingencies. 

5. Ten Essentials: Always a good thing to have. Personal first aid kit; emergency blanket; matches/lighter; compass/map/GPS; water; emergency food; whistle; water filtration system (could just be iodine pills); signal mirror; and knife/multitool among other things.

6. Clothes (to wear): I wore a pair of shorts, a wicking T-Shirt, and had my brimmed hat/bandanna. I also had a fleece jacket that I put on for the wind. Foot-wise, I went with my mountaineering boots because I prefer their comfort and stability, but if you’re looking to cut weight, you can definitely make this hike in sneakers.

Optional Gear (You might want it; then again, you might want to save the weight).

1. Trekking Poles; 2. Camera; 3. Extra Clothes; 4. Other Items that you may want to use on the hike.

If I was to guess, my pack weighed no more than ten to at the max, fifteen pounds – with 6.5 of that amount being water weight. For summertime, this is the range you would want to be in, unless you are carrying gear for an overnight trip, or for other people! See you on the trail!

Current Conditions Vivian Creek Trail, June 2012 to San Gorgonio Summit

Mill Creek, heading up Vivian Creek Trail, 6/2012

There’s something about San Gorgonio. I don’t know exactly what it is, but there’s something about it. There must be something about it, because I keep going back to climb it. There is one thing that I am sure about, however, and that is that the mountain doesn’t get any respect. In the mountaineering community, the summer ascent of San Gorgonio is written off as a mere “walk-up”, meaning that all you have to do is walk to the summit – no technical skill is required. While it is true that no technical skills are required to summit in the summertime, let’s talk statistics for a minute though: San Gorgonio is the highest mountain in Southern California at 11,502 feet. If you are taking the most popular trail, the Vivian Creek Trail, which I am discussing here, the trailhead elevation is 6,080 feet.

Moreover, according to the National Forest Service, from the Vivian Creek Trailhead, you will hike 9.3 miles one-way to reach the summit (more on distance at the bottom). This means that you will gain over 5,000 feet of elevation and walk over 18 miles to summit the peak and return. In order to summit San Gorgonio in the summer, you can also encounter a temperature range of 30 to 90 degrees. So, no, San Gorgonio is not the hardest, most technical peak to summit in the world. Then again, it’s not a cakewalk either. At the easiest, it’s a hard moderate hike; and in some respects, it is strenuous – so be prepared.

Treeline, Vivian Creek Trail, 6/2012 

Directions: The trailhead is located at the Forest Falls parking area. If you are coming from the West, you will take the I-10 East, and exit University Avenue, which you will follow for one mile, before turning right onto the CA-38, which at that point is signed as Lugonia Avenue. From that point, it is fourteen miles to the trailhead. Along the way, you will want to stop at the Mill Creek Ranger Station, which is located in Mentone to pick up two things: 1) A wilderness permit; and 2) A National Forest Adventure Pass. This is a popular hike (especially as it is right outside Los Angeles), and it is possible that you may not be able to obtain a permit if you are going on a weekend. However, reports of never being able to obtain a permit are exaggerations. Obviously, like any regulated trailhead, the day you are going, and the size of your group will affect whether you can obtain a permit or not. I’ve been going for years, and I’ve never had a problem; but I’ve also never had a group of larger than seven people. The good news about the permit is that it is free. One of the things that has changed about this hike is that the Forest Falls parking area now has a fee kiosk prior to entering the lot, and the Rangers do monitor the area for compliance, so you will need that $15.00 Adventure Pass for your car, unless you want a more expensive ticket!

 From Forest Falls, the trail heads up past some inholdings, before crossing Mill Creek. Once you cross Mill Creek, the trail really begins, and the next mile of trail leading up to Vivian Creek Camp is steep. I’ve climbed steeper sections of trail; and longer sections of trail, but in my mind, this section is up there as one of the most difficult and steepest sections that I have traversed. Be sure that you pace yourself accordingly, as the remainder of the trail is also uphill, and you still have a long distance to go. After this section, you will be in a wooded valley next to Vivian Creek, and Vivian Creek Camp. The trail levels out slightly to pass through the valley, and winds up gradually to Halfway Camp. I always try to enjoy this section of the hike, as there is no gradual elevation gain from Halfway Camp to the peak.

Summit, San Gorgonio, 6/16/2012

From Halfway Camp, there are a number of switchbacks that lead up to High Creek Camp; and then from High Creek Camp, there are a series of steeper switchbacks that lead you up to a ridgeline, where you will have clear unobstructed views of the peak, and the surrounding high country. At that point, there are a few remaining switchbacks that remain before you clear the treeline, but after that, it is a long steep ascent along the ridgeline up to the saddle just below the summit. Once you have attained the top of the ridge, you will be approximately half a mile from the summit, and have a negligible amount of elevation left to gain. After you have reached the summit, you will return the same way you came.

Current Conditions: I arrived at the Forest Falls parking area at around 7:25 a.m. on Saturday, and as I expected, the lot was nearly full at that point. Make no mistake about it, this is a popular hike, and should you arrive later in the day, you will risk not finding a parking spot. Since my gear was already packed, all I had to do was put on sunscreen, and I was ready to go. As it’s been a dry year, there was a negligible amount of water in Mill Creek – one foot wide, several inches deep; and I would not consider it a crossing at this point in time. Again, I can’t say it enough – that first section of trail up to Vivian Creek Camp is brutally steep, and I passed a number of people who were hurting/gassed on that section of trail on Saturday. While there was water flowing in Vivian Creek by the campground, it was flowing at a very low level, one that I would expect to see in late August or September. If I was to estimate, I would say that it will likely be dry within the next two weeks to a month. It’s also worth noting that I did not see any water flowing above Vivian Creek, so if you are backpacking or day-hiking, and plan to filter water; you should likely adjust your plans accordingly.

 Vivian Creek Trail, 06/16/2012

As for the rest of the trail, I’d say that it was in excellent shape the rest of the way up the mountain; and there were no obstacles that I saw to report or avoid. In terms of weather; as I got an early start, I avoided the heat from Mill Creek up to High Camp. However, it was very dry, and at or around High Camp, there were strong wind gusts of 25-30mph that persisted along the exposed traverse from treeline to the summit. These strong winds pelted me with all sorts of rocks, grit, and dirt; and at times, were physically pushing back against me on the ascent. There were also a few occasions, I felt like they were ripping the breath from my lungs. These winds made an already long day longer, as they were dry, which took more of moisture; and cold, which raised the potential for hypothermia (if I had not had the proper gear).

With respect to the second point, I saw a number of people who were not prepared for the cold – no jackets, wearing shorts – who were really struggling with the conditions past treeline. As always, be prepared with the proper gear; and check the conditions before you go. There is no snow anywhere on the summit; nor anywhere near the summit. Again, past Vivian Creek, I saw no flowing water of any sort; so plan accordingly. I spent a little less time on the summit than planned (due to the wind); and headed back down after about twenty minutes. On the descent, it was hot at all elevations below Halfway Camp. It looks like it will be a long, hot, dry, summer, so be warned if you are attempting the mountain from this point on. Roundtrip time for me was 8:05 (excluding stops), which seems pretty good in retrospect, but seemed slow at the time, but it was still a good day. At this point, I cannot reiterate enough: carry plenty of water if you attempt this hike during 2012, as it will be dry and hot!

Distance: It may surprise you, but the jury is out on how long this hike actually is. I spent a lot of time ruminating about this in 2010 (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2010/8/19/san-gorgonio-july-31-2010-vivian-creek-to-summit-156-miles-r.html); but the point is that it is a long hike. Summitpost lists it at 7.8 to 8.4 miles one way (http://www.summitpost.org/vivian-creek/155752); Local Hikes lists it at 16 miles roundtrip (http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/SanGorgonioviaVivianCreek_4472.asp); and the National Forest Service calls it 18.6 roundtrip (http://www.sgwa.org/Wilderness_Mileage.pdf). Someday, I’m going to have to use my own GPS on it, and find out for sure how long it really is but at this point, I’m becoming more and more inclined to call it 18.6 to 19.5 miles, as confirmed here: http://trailtrove.com/san-gorgonio-peak-via-vivian-creek-trail. In any event, be prepared for a long day (or series of days, if you backpack it), and to go at least sixteen miles roundtrip.

More Information: http://www.sgwa.org/trails2.htm, http://www.sgwa.org/trails.htm#wilderness_conditions, http://members.boardhost.com/sgva/, http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recarea/?recid=26575

Glider Port Trail, Black Mountain Open Space Park

Glider Port Trailhead

I’ll never forget the first time I climbed Black Mountain. I was halfway up the mountain, my legs were covered in scratches from the shrubs that I had been crashing through for the last twenty minutes, and I was annoyed. I hadn’t been able to find hide nor hair of a trail up the mountain after the first quarter mile, and I had been following odd foot trails after that point. Suddenly, I stumbled into a nine foot by nine foot clearing that inexplicably enough had carpeting all over the ground. I was hot, sweaty, and annoyed. I said: “What the CORNDOG!?!?!?” Later on, after I reached the base of the mountain, I passed an individual who asked if I had been up on Black Mountain “gliding”. I gave him a “what-the-corndog” look and stomped off to pull thistles and foxtails out of my shoes and legs. That was then.

Today, Black Mountain is part of the Black Mountain Open Space Park (http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/blackmtn/), and there are actual, designated trails going every which way. (Including the Lusardi Loop Trail:http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/11/8/lusardi-loop-trail-black-mountain-open-space-park.html) It’s the home of an Xterra Trail Run (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2010/5/2/xterra-black-mountain-trail-run-march-14-2010-515k.html). What a difference over ten years makes. With this in mind, I decided to check out the Glider Port trail up to the summit of the mountain yesterday.

Fence at the 1 mile point - should I stay or should I go?

What did I learn? Ten years makes a positive difference in this case, the Glider Port Trail is one of many well-maintained trails to near or at the summit of Black Mountain. What I also learned, however, was that Black Mountain was indeed the site of many Hang Gliding and Paragliding launches from the 1920’s onward (there is a handy interpretive panel discussing this near the trailhead). However, you can color me skeptical about whether gliding is going on here today: just because there is a history of gliding from the mountain, and a couple chairs set out by the trailhead and launch area, does not mean there is actual bona fide gliding happening on a regular basis. Then again, it is fun to imagine all sorts of gliding occurring in this area, as well as blimps taking off from the Del Mar Airfield (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/11/9/the-del-mar-airport-1.html) in some sort of steampunk alternate reality. If you are an actual glider who utilizes the “airstrip” here at Black Mountain, drop me a line so I can come out, see you in action, and say, “what the corndog!”. (More information on gliding here: http://voices.yahoo.com/californias-black-mountain-open-space-park-glider-4005277.html)

Directions: The portion of the Black Mountain Open Space Preserve you are looking for is the entrance located off of Carmel Valley Road (Pictured here: http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/pdf/blackmountaintrailmap.pdf). There are two places you can park: you can park in the lots at Black Mountain Ranch Community Park, and cross the street, or you can park at the Glider Point turnout on the South side of Carmel Valley Road. Note: if you are heading West on Carmel Valley Road, there is no left turn for the Glider Point turnout as there is a median running down the road; you will have to either make a U-Turn at the Black Mountain Ranch Community Park light, or park and walk across the street. If you are parking at the Community Ranch lot, use the signal at the Carmel Valley light, cross the street, and walk a tenth of a mile (.10) east to the Glider Point Trailhead, which is well-signed.

Looking at San Diego from Black Mountain summit - a cloudy day, and a re-vegetation work in progress.

From the trailhead – which is next to one of the gliding takeoff/landing zones, the trail heads straight uphill for a mile. This is not a trail for the faint hearted, or anyone looking for a leisurely walk. Although you are only gaining ~875 feet, the trail is steep at places, and you will get a workout. I’ve walked in steeper terrain, and chances are you have too, but if you don’t want a challenge, this is not the hike for you. If you do want a challenge, I suggest you do what I did: run up the trail, it is a great workout! At three-quarters of a mile up the mountain, you will pass the carpeted takeoff/landing zone that caused me to say, “What the corndog!!!” over ten years ago. And, at one mile, you will arrive at a turnaround/fenced area that is on the saddle of the mountain just below the summit. At this point, you have two options: you can turn around and head back down the trail, or you can go around the fence heading up to the actual summit. Frankly, I’m not sure what’s going on with that fence – there’s no “Keep Out” or other warning signs, and there is a clear (and wide) trail to the actual summit from that point. If you want to disregard the fence (as it appears 90% of people are doing), you can follow the clearly delineated trail the remaining quarter mile to the summit of Black Mountain.

As Black Mountain is only 1,554 feet tall, it won’t confuse anyone with Mt. Everest anytime soon. What it does have, however, is a great 360 degree view of the mid-county of San Diego. On a clear day, you can see out to the Coronado Islands, and into the north-eastern interior of the county. Sadly, this is a peak like Woodson Mountain whose view is partially obscured by an antenna cluster at the summit – the cost of civilization! (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2012/2/10/woodson-mountain-eastern-approach.html) Despite that, this is a great mid-week, or mid-morning hike on a weekend to get your blood moving; and it’s great to see that this area is now being protected in the Open Space Preserve. Roundtrip, from the trailhead to the summit is 2.5 miles; without the last jog to the summit, the hike is 2 miles roundtrip.

Tips: This route, the “Northern” summit route is steep; so watch your footing, and for loose rocks on the ascent and decent, as it would be easy to slip and twist an ankle. I’ve also been advised by my friend Derek that this is an area with lots of rattlesnakes, so keep an eye out for them as well, especially during summertime. (http://www.100peaks.com/2009/07/03/black-mountain-peak-2-foggy-at-the-top/)

More Information: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2004/sep/02/climb-black-mountain-rancho-penasquitos-inclusive-/

Lower Lost Creek Falls, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Trail to Lower Lost Creek Falls, Spring 2012

After discussing the Calico Hills last week, I received an e-mail that asked me if I knew what the best hike was to do in Red Rock Canyon National Conversation Area. I personally hate answering what the “best” hike is for any area. As I’ve discussed before – the “best” hike in my opinion, is the one that you want to do, which varies for all sorts of people. My second problem with the question was that I’m not that familiar with the area. Sure, I’d been there, and sure, I’d written that blog, and sure, I knew some recommendations, but, the “best” hike? I could name the best hike for a lot of places, but not that place easily. But, fortunately, I didn’t need to have personal knowledge: I had the internet.

Even better than having the internet, I had a good source on the internet: Jim Boone’s site, http://www.birdandhike.com/index.htm. Full disclosure: I’ve never met Jim, spoken to him, nor do I have any interest in his site. In fact, in an age, where a majority of people are promoting their own work (myself included) it may seem strange for me to promote another person’s work. But let’s think about this rationally – who’s the best expert on local hikes in each area? Locals. It’s so self-evident; it almost doesn’t even need saying (although since I’m so smarts, I mentioned this the other day). But, at times it does, especially when research about hiking is involved. If there happens to be a local who has a website, these are the best resources for finding out about things if you are visiting an area. Case in point, if I need information about Death Valley that I don’t know, I’d probably go to Steve Hall’s website (as I linked to in those postings). For the Mojave and Las Vegas, if I don’t know it, I know where I’d go: http://www.birdandhike.com/index.htm. I’ve received plenty of good information from it, especially before my initial trip to Red Rock Canyon. So, that’s what I did: I passed along good information that I knew; and I also recommended this hike here for any level of hikers in Red Rock Canyon, as I found it to be the most accessible hike for all skill levels.

The secret tunnel to Lower Lost Creek Falls

Directions: Red Rock Canyon NCA is located off of Highway 159, and is approximately a half hour drive from downtown Las Vegas (the strip). The park is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and at this point in time, if you are going to enter the park from the Scenic Drive entrance (which this hike is located off of), there is a $7.00 day use fee. From the park entrance, the turnoff is halfway across the scenic drive. At this halfway point, you will see a well-signed road marked, “Willow Spring Road”. Turn right on this road and head North for .2 miles, at which point you will see a parking area, pit toilet, and signs for the trailhead. The trailhead leaves directly from the parking lot, and is well signed.

Did I mention this was a hike for all ages and skill levels? It is. It is short, and it is a great introduction to desert terrain, and the terrain of Red Rock Canyon NCA. It is such a good introduction, the BLM has produced a discovery guide with corresponding markers along the trail, and if you are a child (or have a child-like sense of wonder toward the world, as I do), you can check out the link to the BLM program below that is part of their Junior Ranger program. Another interesting thing about this trail is that the terrain present in it is completely different than that found in the Calico Hills. For starters, the distinctive bands of Aztec Sandstone present by the Calico Hills are not present on the Lost Canyon hike, and what rock you do find is a type of limestone.

From the trailhead, however, the trail goes across a flat wash before heading up into some Ponderosa Pines and sagebrush, and passes by the remnants of some Native American sites which are blocked off by fences and BLM signs.

Dry Lower Lost Creek Falls, Spring 2012

Past these sites, the trail takes a couple short turns before heading down a series of stone steps back into the wash. During the dry season, this is the only potential spot you could get lost, as the trail mingles with the wash; but both the wash and the trail leads you to the same spot: the base of Lower Lost Creek Falls. You will know if you are on the trail, however, if you pass through a narrow grouping of boulders that has formed a short “cave/tunnel” which you will pass through before arriving at the base of the fall.

Now, before I receive a number of e-mails stating that there is no waterfall, you should know that this waterfall is a seasonal waterfall, and is fed by snowmelt from higher elevations. So, if it is a dry year, there may not be any waterfall. Or, if it is a wet year, the waterfall and wash may be full of water. Chances are, the later in the year you go on this hike, the less likely the waterfall is to be flowing. When I visited this year, there was just a slight trickle heading down the black section of rock where the waterfall flows. Once you are done checking out the waterfall – or lack thereof, follow the trail back down to where it forks, and follow the other loop over the boardwalk and back across the wash for an easy .7 mile roundtrip distance. This is a great hike, and a great introduction to the park, or a great getaway from the helter-skelter nature of Las Vegas, if you’re a local.

More Information: http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/nv/field_offices/las_vegas_field_office/red_rock/lost_creek_trail_booklet.Par.5571.File.tmp/Lost%20Creek%20booklet.pdf, http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/Red_Rocks/Lost_Cr_L/_Lost_Cr.htm