Tag Archives: Trailhead

Volcan Mountain Trail

May 11, 2022 Roger Jenkins 1 Comment

VOLCAN MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS PRESERVE

Near Julian

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

6 miles, 5353’ elevation, 1300’ elevation gain, 3 hour duration, rated Moderate

Volcan Mountain is one of the Six Pack of Peaks for the San Diego area, which means for Peak Baggers this mountain is rather significant. I arrived at the location earlier than the 8AM lot opening, but I was informed by hikers that it is fine to park on the road and head on up ahead of the lot’s opening.

The top of the mountain provides wonderful views all the way to the Pacific and even of Catalina Island on a clear day. The other direction has views of Anza-Borrego and the Salton Sea. This point was in the 1920’s an Air Beacon for the US Postal Service providing night guidance for pilots. Some of the equipment is still visible.

I took Volcan Mountain Trail up which is a broad road. It ventures through Oaks and Manzanitas making it a lovely trek. On the way back I took the Five Oaks Trails which is single track, narrow and winding, with some switch backs furnishing more of the nature feel that I prefer than a road. It more or less parallels the Volcan Mountain Trail, but it will add on about a mile to your adventure. I will always make it a loop if given the choice.

Besides the lovely trees and vegetation I mentioned, I saw some wildlife that was fun: Wild Turkeys, Bunnies, Vultures and other birds of prey, deer and a lizard. I did not see any of the posted wild life that isn’t fun: Mountain Lion or Rattlesnake.

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**I should have more mountains and less stress.**

Thanks for Peak Bagging Volcan Mountain with me as I was ’Pursing Balance Through Adventure’. I hope this episode encourages you to get out and say hello to nature soon, as such an outing can bring the rest of our lives back into the balance that is so important for our well being. Stay with me by doing a few easy tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you care to peruse the menu above you will discover that PBTA ventures all across the West. The menu is divided up mostly by location. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you like my shirt and beanie they are available for purchase at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Cuyamaca Peak

March 16, 2022 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

VIA THE AZALEA GLEN LOOP

CUYAMACA RANCHO STATE PARK

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

8 Miles, 6,512’ elevation, 1870’ elevation gain, 4 hour duration, rated Moderate

Date: 11-10-21

Cuyamaca Peak is one of the “Six Pack of Peaks” coveted by Peak Baggers for being the second highest peak in San Diego County. The views from the top stretch from Mexico to the Coronado Islands, San Jacinto, to Granite Mountain in Anza Borrego, and it really is quite spectacular.

The State Park Charges $10 for day use, and there is a campground there if you are so inclined. This hike is a loop and I recommend doing it counter clockwise. If I had more time I might have done the hike as an out and back utilizing the Azalea Glen Trail portion in both directions. The second portion of this hike is down a paved fire road and that certainly is not my favorite, but you can cruise down it relatively quickly.

The hike starts out rather flat and gentle weaving through a wooded area with a variety of trees such as oak, alder and pine. Even though this area is recovering from one of the worst wildfires, a large portion of the trail is shielded from that view as the brush is built up along the trail. The hike becomes steeper adding some switch backs and you will experience some rocky areas so sturdy hike boots are a plus. You will be dumped out on a dirt fire road for a small section before taking the Conejos Trail all the way toward the summit where the final section is on the paved fire road called Lookout Road. On top you will have astounding views all around.

This state park had a series of incidents in the 80’s and 90’s regarding mountain lion attacks one which was fatal. Encounters with cougars are very rare. If you have a backpack on, leave it on to protect your back and neck as much as possible. If you should run across one of these animals make yourself big, wave your arms, throw rocks and sticks, yell at it, and do not crouch down. How do you pick up a rock? Well, that is a good question. We have all seen that one viral video where the mountain lion followed the guy for like a mile, and every time he bent over to pick up a rock it charged all fangs and claws, but when he finally did get a rock and flung it at the large cat it took off in a flash. The good news is those attacks were a long time ago and nothing like that has happened in over 25 years.

As I mentioned I took the paved route down on the Lookout Fire Road as shown on the map. It was late in the day so I just cruised down the road. Not the natural feeling that I felt on the way up, but it was quicker.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel, CLICK THE PIC.

**Views from the top are pretty astounding.**

**“Of all the paths you take in life make sure A few of them are dirt.” – John Muir**

Thanks for coming along on this trek up Cuyamaca Peak. People have been ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ in this area for 7000 years. To ensure that you remain on this journey to self fulfillment please COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you peruse the menu above you will find that PBTA ventures to many fine locales throughout the West, so you should be able to uncover plenty of inspiration there. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you need Adventure Wear, such as that pictured, you can find top quality gear with the Pursuing Balance Through Adventure Logo and Mantra at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Penasquitos Falls Loop via Carmel Valley

December 22, 2021 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

Activity: Day Hike, Chasing Waterfalls

5 miles, 550 elevation gain, 3 hour duration, rated Moderate

Date: May 6, 2021

This hike descends into a canyon rather steeply and there are loose rocks, so watch your footing. When you’re on top there are houses and power lines, all the things you are trying to get a break from. Once you drop down into the canyon you gain much more of that natural ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ feel that you’re looking for with oaks, hills, streams and a quaint waterfall that’s so scenic that it it appears it could be the model for an A List Celebrities’ backyard. It has several drops to it, but it is not very tall. What Penasquitos Creek Falls lacks in stature it makes up for in South West ambiance.

San Diego’s Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve boasts varied habitats chaparral, marsh, grassland, and woodland.

While I was making my way along the trail, I caught a glimpse of a dark figure stretching it’s neck and eyeing me. It stayed as still as a grave not moving a muscle. I snapped a pic of what I thought was a coyote while others are saying a dog. But to me the ears and the sharp snout and the slightness of it’s frame and shoulders. I thought it was a coyote. Also it was on it’s own and quite skittish. If I stayed still it would have continued be motionless, but when I took that first step In that direction it vanished like a ghost not down the trail, rather into the underbrush and without the slightest sound. Like many SoCal trails there was plenty of scat to indicate a healthy and thriving coyote community, so I still say coyote.

Waterfalls need to be seen in motion. Click the pic to go to the PBTA YouTube Channel

Thanks for joining me on this fun hike into Penasquitos Canyon Preserve where the sound of rushing water tumbling over rock just sort of puts everything back together and really puts one at ease. For more mending experiences in nature stay with me by doing a couple of very simple things: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. The menu above shows many wonderful spots throughout the West that PBTA chases that equilibrium that we all need. The escape we desire from the mundane and the monotonous, as well as the Helter Skelter of modern life. Each location is a separate Website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Click this link: SHOP APPAREL for top adventure gear from PBTA. Each piece carries the logo and mantra.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Bernardo Mountain Summit Trail

November 4, 2021 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

San Dieguito River Park

Between Rancho Bernardo and Escondito

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

6.5 miles, 1145’ elevation, 932’ elevation gain, 3 hour duration, rated Moderate

Date: 10-15-21

I was pleasantly surprised by this hike the terrain is beautiful. The only drawback is there’s houses on the ridge and you just can’t get away from the traffic noise of the I-15.

The hike starts out along the bike path and then goes over the really nice David Kreitzer Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge above part of the watershed heading to Lake Hodges. This bridge certainly is not something you see everyday. After talking to some local hikers, I was informed that the area underneath the bridge, now a green belt, was part of the lake before the drought. Also the bridge’s construction technique is somewhat of a marvel.

After crossing the bridge the trail whips around through a shady oak lined area of the trail with a tranquil little stream, afterwards the trek towards the peak begins. The trail is great and the landscape is pretty cool, but as I mentioned at the beginning of the article, you aren’t really getting away from it all. Still it is a good hike, with some respectable uphill exercise, and full views of the surrounding area from the top.

I met some firefighters that were doing PT, (Physical Training). One that set a Personal Best up the mountain. (I think he said that it was in contention for a top time for the Firehouse.) He was out of breath and panting. He joked with his buddies that showed up 10 minutes later that the hikers, that I had just conversed with, probably thought, “What is wrong with that guy? He is so out of shape who are earth could he save?“ I did not spill the beans to his rescuer friends that I spied him tossing his cookies because he was pushing it so hard. No need to call him out, after all it turns out that he had gone to HS with my daughter at Fountain Valley HS, besides if I ran up the mountain in all that gear on a hot day I am sure I would have still been flat on my back, lol.

Bernardo Peak Summit Trail is a good training hike and a great spot for locals.

You can see the shadow of the bridge on the foliage in the above photo with Bernardo Peak in the background.

View from the summit

**Firefighters training in gear. The guy in the center went to my daughter’s HS. Small world… Thanks to all the firefighters! They have been heavily tasked this season.**

**“To solve a problem walk around.” – Saint Jerome**

Thanks for joining me whilst I was ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ up Bernardo Peak. For more San Diego hiking outings please do a couple very easy things: LIKE, FOLLOW, COMMENT and SHARE. Checkout the menu above and you will discover many wonderful spots that PBTA ventures to throughout the West for some ideas and inspiration. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you click on SHOP APPAREL you can get a hat and shirt like those I have on in the picture. We all seek a little leveling out between work, paying bills, chores, dental appointments, traffic, grocery shopping and all the busy sometimes stress filled tasks we must endure as part of our everyday life, so how can we get to a level of delightful peace filled bliss? One way is through profound experiences in Nature. Stepping out into Nature, breathing some fresh air, getting exercise, viewing mountain vistas, feeling the wind on your face, touching the rough bark of a red wood, stopping to smell the wild flowers all can reduce the anxiety, and stress of the modern world. And that my friends is what ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ is all about. Here’s to getting your hiking boots a little dusty!

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Pyle’s Peak Trail

April 15, 2021 Roger Jenkins 1 Comment

MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK

Activity: Hiking, Peak Bagging

5.5 Miles, 1778’ elevation change, >3 hours duration, rated: Moderate

Date: April 2, 2021

It seemed everyone in San Diego is getting their workouts Friday morning by climbing Cowles Mountain. The trail is certainly buzzing. Maybe it is because it is Good Friday of Easter Weekend. The trail is deliciously rocky and rugged with good incline, but way too many people for my taste. The second portion of the hike continuing beyond Cowles Mountain to Pyle’s Peak was much more enjoyable with only a few hikers. I guess that Cowles Mountain being the San Diego High Point is the draw.

The park calls the hike Difficult rather than Moderate, and I will also add that my personal tracker seems to have added almost another mile and a half in contrast to the information that I had from my app. I must admit, I took a side excursion to Cowles/Plye’s View Point and with all the cars at the trailhead it was a bit of a hike to the trailhead, which addresses some of the extra mileage.

Purple wild flowers adorn the mountainside, add a sprinkle of yellow and red here and there and you get the feeling that Spring has definitely sprung.

Besides being such a popular hike the other issue I had is the sights are very urbanish looking down from Cowles Mountain unlike the Fortuna Mountain Trail, that I had taken a few weeks earlier in this same park. That trail had a more natural and thus Zen like feel, but still Pyle’s Peak Trail is an excellent hike.

**Going up Cowles Mountain is a very popular hike. Be forewarned that parts of the trail are quite rugged.**

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel

**Keep your soul clean and your boots dirty.**

Fun hike in San Diego, however if you can go mid week do it. It was pretty busy going up Cowles Mt, but it thinned out dramatically from there which is not unusual for hikes. The farther you find yourself ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ the more trail that you will have to yourself. I do want people to be able to experience the things that I experience, to have time to themselves to ponder, to unload some of that stress, and stretch the legs, clear the mind, take a deep breath and smell the sweet wildflowers… just not necessarily at the same time and place that I am, lol. It’s all good and to find more of that good then here is what you need to do: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. Go to the menu above and find a location that you want to find that good at, to get inspired, and live life. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. While you are soaking up all that good you will need a hat and a shirt with the mantra that will set you free: ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’. You can find first rate, high quality adventure wear at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Trestles Wetland Nature Preserve Loop

January 11, 2021 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

San Onofre

Activity: Hiking, surfing, biking, bird watching

4 miles, 263’ elevation change, 90 minute duration, rated Easy

Trestles is the famed surf spot that the Beach Boy’s sang about in ‘Surfin’ USA’. Trestles is named after the railroad trestle over a portion of the Trestles Wetland. Trestles consists of three distinct areas each with a little different wave: Uppers, Middles, and Lowers. Trestles is the site of the World Surf League Finals in Sept of 2021.

Trestles Beach is located at the Northern Tip of San Onofre State Beach in North San Diego County. The access is through San Clemente which is the boundary between the OC and San Diego County.

Park on Cristiantios Road not to far from where it crosses the 5 San Diego Freeway, close to Carl’s Jr. There is a dirt path trailhead that heads through a brushy area under the freeway and under the train trestle and then on to the beach. It is about a 15 minute walk.

It’s a cool beach in that it has a natural feel as you come up over a little sand dune area to it. Also because there is not parking lining the beach, such as Huntington Beach-Surf City USA or some of the popular San Diego Beaches. Trestles is like a step back in time as you head down that dirt path to the beach. The Trestles Wetland Nature Preserve gives Trestles some of that natural scenery as it basically is untouched.

The beach itself is broad with a few too cool for school surf cabanas. Since it is a haul to get yourself down to the water, along the sandy path, up and down the beach, to the favored surf spot, with your wet suit and your board you’ll notice that most of the surfers have e-bikes with fat tires and a mount for their board.

My son Alec and I checked out the break, the surfers, and walked along the sandy stretch of golden sand as far north as we could go before we ran out of beach with the tide reaching the rocks. We followed a couple of surfers tip toeing along the railroad ties for a portion and then back on the beach heading south towards the now decommissioned San Onofree Nuclear Power Plant.

On our return we rejoined the Trestles Wetland Nature Preserve Loop, which took us up a bluff through a brushy area. I have to say that the nature preserve isn’t really something that you would come to see, at least I wouldn’t. It is a just a thicket that is completely natural and looks like you would have to have a machete to penetrate. I have heard that it is a bird watchers spot. Once you make it up on the bluff the path joins a roadway that is used by runners, walkers, and bikers and continues towards San Onofre State Park. We followed it North back to the dirt path we had come in on.

**Railroad trestles over the Trestles Wetland Nature Preserve and San Mateo Creek.**

“Dude, there’s like some gnarly waves out there to day, ya’ know. It’s like a totally awesome lineup with killer overhead barrel rolling in. Picture this- down the face, bottom turn, off the lip, the tube cover up! Dude!!! You are so happen’n!” – Roger Jenkins

Thanks for joining son Alec and I for a day at the beach. I love the beach so much, and it is so fun to checkout the stupendous beaches California has to offer. Stay with us for more hikes, and beach adventures by doing these very simple things: FOLLOW, LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE. If you go up to the menu you will discover the many places that ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ romps. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. I am sure that will give you ideas about leaving the couch and your computer behind, setting out on your own adventure in nature, and in doing so release some of the stress and toxins brought on by a hectic world. Adventure such as this is the first step in seeking a more harmonious balance. If you need a hat to keep the bright California sun out of your eyes or from burning your nose go to SHOP APPAREL. The cool PBTA logo adventure wear even has some shirts with UPF 50+ Protection!

Life’s a Beach-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Santa Margarita River Trail

June 22, 2019 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

Fallbrook California

Activity: Day Hike

Date: June 12, 2019

Distance: 5 miles, 500′ elevation change, 3 hour duration, rated Moderate

This was a delightful hike along the Santa Margarita River Trail. Much of the hike is shaded with wonderful trees along a scenic stream.

The trail will seem to end at a beautiful spot of water tumbling over boulders. The only way to continue on would be some serious bouldering both in and out of the water.

What you can do is backtrack until you see a trail heading up. This trail will seem to take you to a neighborhood on the top of the hill, however you will see a trail to your left that will take you back down toward the river below.

At the farthest portion of the trail you will be out in the open with views of the surrounding hillsides.

At the top I decided to make a loop of it to add some mileage and to see what I could see. The trails I was on at that point were access trails for the homes on the hilltop above to be able to reach the Santa Margarita River Trail. It added maybe a half mile or so to my journey before reconnecting with the Santa Margarita River Trail.

Fantastic hike and I would highly recommend it.

Trail Map of Santa Margarita River Trail

Map of the Fallbrook’s Santa Margarita Preserve

The shade is glorious on a warm summer day.

If you get hot there are plenty of places to relax and dip your feet in the cool water.

The video of the running water is even better.

The river provides the moisture for the flowers even as we move into the dry summer months.

I realize that I have an abundance of the shaded path shots but they it really was wonderful.

As I headed up away from the river I got above the tunnel of trees along the river and could see the surrounding hillsides.

This is near the top and the furthest portion of the marked trail as marked by the trail map

This is one of the few places with a sandy beach and I believe is sought after as I overheard some trail Moms.

On my way back there were some ladies fishing in the stream. I could see the tiny fish that they were attempting to attract. I pointed out to them this dark shape moving along the opposite bank. I said that’s the one you want. They got very excited and started trying to move up the bank.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure is a worthy undertaking. I hope this experience inspires you to seek such solace. Please COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE.

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open”

-Jawaharlal Nehru

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Santa Margarita Preserve Trail

June 21, 2019 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

Fallbrook, California

Activity: Day Hike

Date: June 12, 2019

Distance: 1.2 miles, 40 feet elevation change, less than one hour duration, rated Easy.

What stood out to me on this quick little jaunt was how lush this area was with foliage. I am sure the river keeps everything well irrigated.

This hike is green and lush, at least in early summer. The trail is good, a lot of it sand. It is short enough to be fun and interesting for kids. The end of the trail, at least as it is marked on this map, is the river and it is very nice. A great place to take off your shoes and enjoy the cool water.

It does appear that if you cross the stream there is a trail that continues on the other side beyond what is marked on the map. If you look ever so closely at the picture you will see a cowboy on horse back just entering the picture below. After speaking with him I turned back on his recommendation of an adventure more suited for what I was looking for. He let me know the trail we were on was better for horses and that more serious hikers choose the Santa Margarita River Trail, which is at another location nearby.

Santa Margarita Preserve Trail map

Welcome to the Preserve.

A very lush area along the Santa Margarita Preserve Trail. This looks like a portal into another dimension, and it is if you think about it as we get in touch with nature, and perhaps ourselves while we are at it.

Good information regarding what to do in case of a rattle snake encounter.

Blooms along the trail.

There is always a chance of a bad encounter with nature, but highly unlikely.

Cactus in the Santa Margarita Preserve

Santa Margarita River, I would call this a stream but no one asked me when they named it.

There were no logs, branches, or rocks to help me ford the stream, so off came the boots.

I had just cross the stream barefoot, as I didn’t want to get my hiking boots wet, when a cowboy on horseback moseyed across the stream. He was kind enough to inform me of a hike that I would enjoy even more, the Santa Margarita River Trail, and that it wasn’t far from this location.

Thanks for Pursuing Balance Through Adventure with me in San Diego County. Please COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE.

– Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Double Peak Trail

June 17, 2019 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

Double Peak Trail via Discovery Lake

San Marcos, CA

Activity: Day Hike

Date: June 9, 2019

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.