Distance: 4 miles (Added Cima Dr. Trail 1.5 miles making it closer to 6 miles), elevation change over 1000’, duration 2.5 hours, rated Moderate
This hike had good mileage and elevation change. Double Peak has great views of the entire area, 360-degree sights from the top such as San Maros Peak, Lake San Marcos, San Bernadino Mountains, Mount San Jacinto, Palomar Mountains, Mount Whitney, Volcan Mountains (Julian), and there was some haze from marine layer so it wasn’t clear, but Catalina Island, San Clemente Island, Coronado Islands, and Tijuana.
This loop hike did a good job of feeling the nature aspect, but I have to say there was more urban to this hike then I like.
The hike starts out with a nature feel, but it goes through a couple nice neighborhoods, and when you get to the top you see that you could have driven there as well, and there is urban sprawl in every direction. However, it is a great hike for that area and perhaps to train for other hikes.
Near the end I wanted to add more mileage so I opted to take Cima Drive Trail that had a nature feel, but basically skirted some nice neighborhoods.
Views of mountains, and hillsides covered with chaparral.Map of hike, back near the end I added the Cima Drive Trail which was another Loop.The trailhead started out next to Discovery Lake.Double Peak TrailThe different type of trails were rather diverse. This picture shows wide open almost like a manicured fancy horse trail. Other times it is dirt or rocky, and sometimes you have the option of taking a steep dusty trail with loose rocks or a roadway.This shows some of the vegetation. The one thing that was a bit of a bummer was there were some annoying flies. I saw some people with a branch with leaves which I discovered they were to swat at the bugs. I suppose it’s all part of nature in the early summer.Rattlesnake country, but I didn’t see any nor did I meet anyone that had on this day.WildflowersSome of the ridge line.More wildflowersTrail and more wildflowers.Along the trailMuch of the hike was exposed, but there was some shade.Just a reminder that nature could eat you.This is stepper than it looks, but I could have taken the roadway as an option to this stretch.Nice view of the hillsides.I wanted more mileage so I took the Cima Dr. Trail. It added something like 1-2 miles.
This part was more like a nature walk, but still it was nice.
Thanks for joining me ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. Will you favor me with a LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and please FOLLOW me. Until my next adventure here to wishing you find some adventure of your own.
San Diego County Hiking 