Coast to Crest Trail Corridor Hike Jim Cunningham, Poway City Council member and Board Chair of the San Dieguito River Park in 2013 has embarked on a project to hike the entire 70-mile San Dieguito River Park Coast to Crest Trail corridor during his one year chairmanship term. Jim, always an avid hiker and bicyclist, has an objective to be on the ground familiar with the details of accomplishing the Coast to Crest Trail. The hike is also envisioned to publicize a tremendous public project that captures the imagination of all familiar with it. The hike was initiated on May 11 at the eastern end of the San Dieguito Watershed where a spring originates from Volcan Mountain along Farmer Road and flows down the mountain to become the San Dieguito River continuing to the Pacific Ocean at Del Mar. Although the distance, as the crow flies, is 55 miles the route required for hiking takes many twists and turns to accommodate the sometime extreme topography and eventually totals over 70 miles. Jim was joined by Bill Simmons, a member of the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy Board and Dick Bobertz, Executive Director of the River Park. The first day of hiking totaled about 10 miles of varied terrain and spectacular habitat ranging from 4500 foot elevation at the beginning of the hike to 3000 feet at the end on highway 79. At the source of the San Dieguito River, Ironside Spring on Volcan Mountain
Jim and Bill under shade of sycamores Mountain meadows surrounded with oaks
Locals of the area The second day of hiking occurred on September 16th beginning at the intersection of Black Mountain Road and Mesa Grande Road. The end of that hiking day would be the south end of Pamo Valley, a distance of about 12 miles. The first two hours of hiking that warm day were in the shade of the mountain through oak habitat and mostly downhill which provided a very pleasant hike to Lake Sutherland. From there the trail gains elevation quickly along the Upper Santa Ysabel Truck Trail with a southwestern exposure that made the rest of the day a challenge in the 95+ temperature. Jason Lopez, the River Park Resources and Trails Manager joined the group on this day.
The start - Black Mt. Road/Mesa Grande Road Hiking in the shade of the mountain and oaks in the cool of the early morning
Last shade of the day before taking on the 95 + degree heat of the Santa Ysabel Truck Trail On the Santa Ysabel Upper Truck Trail
November 5 th was the third day of hiking the Coast to Crest Corridor from the south end of Pamo Valley to the San Pasqual Trailhead and Staging Area near the intersection of Bandy Canyon Road and Highway 78, a distance of 10 miles. The lower Santa Ysabel Truck Trail provides an established path for about five miles to Clevenger Canyon. From there, the only trails are animal trails through the steep canyon. Jason led the way along the river (boulder hopping) as far as the thick vegetation allowed. From there the group diverted to contour along the steep canyonside until we reached avocado groves in the San Pasqual Valley. The rest of the way was along a farm road to Highway 78 and under the bridge to the San Pasqual staging area. Start of the third day at south end of Pamo Valley Great trail all the way to Highway 78
A break before we start boulderhopping in Clevenger Canyon At the bottom of the canyon
Back up to the hillside when the brush got too thick in the canyon bottom. Highway 78 in the background Through the avocado groves in San Pasqual Valley
Third day destination Check back for photos of the rest of the hike to the ocean (approximately 38 miles) which will be primarily along established River Park Trails.
The fourth hike day on December 22 nd began at the HWY 78/Bandy Canyon Trailhead with the goal of ending the day at Hernandez Hideaway a distance of 16 miles. Jim and Dick were joined on this hike by Janet, Dick s wife. Beginning at 7:30 a.m. the air was frosty and the San Pasqual Valley was blanketed with morning mist. It soon warmed up to perfect hiking weather and for the first time we encountered many other trail users on foot, bicycle and horseback. The ten miles to Sikes Adobe was accomplished by noon, with a breakfast break at the peak of Raptor Ridge. At Sikes, the group chose different methods to finish the remaining six+ miles to Hernandez Hideaway. Dick and Janet picked up trail bikes for the rest of the trip. Jim, an experienced marathon runner, ran the rest of the way. The hike begins at the Highway 78/Bandy Canyon Trailhead.
The orange groves soon lead to Bandy Canyon Road and an open view of the San Pasqual Valley.
Sharing the trail with an early morning runner.
The view from the top of Raptor Ridge.
Jim runs into an old friend on the way down from Raptor Ridge.
The boulders on the west side of Raptor Ridge are impressive.
The trail serves many interests. These equestrians told us they often enjoy the Coast to Crest Trail.
The Mule Hill Interpretive Stations provide some history education along the way.
Arrival at Sikes. From here Jim started running the last six miles to Hernandez Hideaway while Dick and Janet finished the day on trail bikes.