Distance: 6.25 miles | Hiking time: 4-5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10 | More trail info. The week before last, John, a friend of mine from Instagram (@adventuregraham), reached out
hiking
Grapevine Mountain Hike
Distance:6.25 miles | Hiking time:4-5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10
Grapevine Mountain is a prominent mountain located in northeastern San Diego County about 12 miles east of Julian in the Anza Borrego Desert.
The hike from the trailhead takes you along a cactus-strewn section of the PCT. Making the summit will require a little route-finding skill and a lot of off trail travel, including some rock 3 and 4 rock scrambling and bushwhacking through fields of cactus and thorny things. Notable sights from the summit include views of Mt. San Jacinto, the Superstition Mountains, Granite Peak, and Cuyamaca Peak.
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Grapevine Mountain Hike – Off Trail from the PCT
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Hiking Bell Bluff: Adventures in Off-trail Bushwhacking and Scrambling
Distance: 7.2 miles | Hiking time: 4-5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10 | More trail info. When I started my journey of hiking San Diego’s 100 highest peaks, I was
Bell Bluff Hike
Distance:7.2 miles | Hiking time:4-5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10
Bell Bluff is one of several prominent peaks located around the town of Alpine, Ca. The trail leading to Bell Bluff starts in a quiet neighborhood where it crosses the Sweetwater River before leading you up and out of the canyon. The hike to Bell Bluff is relatively easy and the trail is well-traveled and good for hiking and trail running.
The summit of Bell Bluff is accessed by way of a small trail that leads you up the western face of the peak. Getting to the top will require a steel will, some good hiking shoes and a willingness to do some light bushwhacking and rock scrambling. Take care when attempting to summit, however, because you are exposed in some areas of the climb. A fall could be serious, and this hike should not be attempted by people who are inexperienced, improperly prepared, or not physically fit.
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Hiking Bell Bluff: Adventures in Off-trail Bushwhacking and Scrambling
Garnet Peak Trail
Distance:2.4 miles | Hiking time:1.5 hours | Difficulty: 5/10
Garnet Peak is located just off the Pacific Coast Trail on the northeastern edge of the Laguna Mountains. At 5900’ in elevation, it sits at number seven on the Sierra Club’s list of the 100 highest peaks in San Diego County.
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Pine Mountain Trail: Finding My Way to the Summit of Pine Mountain
Pine Mountain Loop
Distance: 10 miles | Hiking time: 5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10
Pine Mountain Loop is a fun, scenic hike that uses a series of connecting trails and fire roads to circle around, and eventually past the summit of Pine Mountain. The route is frequented by hikers and mountain bikers and offers views of Cuyamaca Peak, Middle Peak, Stonewall Peak and more. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a short hike off trail to the summit for a secluded picnic in a pine tree forest.
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Pine Mountain Trail: Finding My Way to the Summit of Pine Mountain
Pine Mountain Trail: Finding My Way to the Summit of Pine Mountain
Distance: 10 miles | Hiking time: 5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10 | More info. If you’re following my hikes, then you’re probably aware that I’ve
Los Penasquitos Canyon East Approach
Distance: 6.4 miles | Hiking time: 3 hours | Difficulty: 4/10
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve is centrally located in San Diego and is easily accessible from the 805, 15 and 56 freeways. The focal point of the canyon is Penasquitos Creek, which runs the length of the preserve. A little over 3 miles west of the Black Mountain Road trailhead there is a quaint, quiet spot with a waterfall, perfect for a picnic lunch.
Trails are abundant on both sides of the creek and there are several creek crossings, including a couple of bridges. Hike as little or as much of the trail as you like. This suggested 6.4 mile route is just one of many possible longer or shorter routes you may choose to take along the creek.