Hollenbeck Canyon Trail

San Diego Metro KOA
February 11, 2015
Chula Vista, CA

 Hollenbeck Canyon is located about 24 miles from the Chula Vista KOA...an easy drive on the 805 north, east on 94, and a right turn in Jamul, CA onto Campo Rd.   What beautiful country that is! Rolling hills and  large green meadows graced us on both sides of this county road as we drove along...I could feel the excitement building! 

Campo Rd.

This trail is a 5 mile loop through Hollenbeck Canyon. 






Leaving the parking lot, the trail took us through a  grassy meadow. We were surrounded by quietness...the sweet sound of silence. Then, as we crested a rise, eyebrows raised and jaws dropped as we walked right into... 

 a trail lined with majestic live oak trees. Cool shade, leaves rustling, and shadows looming meant we walked a little slower looking for birds, twisted limbs, and sun leaves.

A nice break in the shade... 

...then an uphill trek to a fork in the road. On our left were the remains of an old building. After a few seconds of map study, we (actually me!) decided our trail went on straight.

Lesson here is "don't give me the map unless you want to get lost". After 3/4 of a mile or so out,we realized this was not the loop...a decent hike, but not the loop. 



Our hiking legs are still not quite what they used to be. Alot of the "oops!" was a washed away, slippery steep incline section of trail used by bikers mostly.



We turned around, took our time on the decent and didn't have time nor energy to finish the loop.  

Looking up...

Our trail back...

And there's Pearl...until next time, take care and...

...happy trails!

We went home a different way via Otay Lakes Road and had a nice walk along the shore of Otay Lake.

Have a great week!

Sweetwater Reservoir to Cactus Hill Hike

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
February 12, 2015

Joe and I recently did a hike at the Sweetwater Reservoir. The trailhead is located inside the park at 3218 Summit Meadow Road, Bonita, CA. There is a campground (water and electric only) here along with a day-use area that includes a splash park, playground, and covered picnic tables with grills.  

To the west, suburban neighborhoods sprawl around more than half of Sweetwater Reservoir.  But to the east is a spread of  green meadows and rounded hills with sage and coastal varieties of cholla and barrel cacti. Information states it is an "in and out" hike, bike, and horse trail...5 miles (total) to the top of Cactus Hill or you can choose an 8 miler (total) to the foot of the San Miguel Mountain.   

A project to re-establish wetlands and eradicate plants not indigenous is in progress with a goal to provide nesting places for the endangered least Bell's vireo.  

I enjoyed this hike much better than Joe did. I think his exact words were, "It is boring!". For me, it was just great to be outside and walking! 

There is no shade and with temps in the low 80s it would have been hot except that we had a nice breeze...unfortunately if was a head wind going up. Ummm, better exercise? 

Until next time, take care...

and happy trails!

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
February 9, 2015


This beautiful stretch of more than 2000 acres know as Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located within the city limits of San Diego in the coastal neighborhood of La Jolla. When visiting here, it is easy to imagine how California must have looked to settlers many years ago. The reserve encompasses the rare Torrey Pine, unspoiled beaches, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating birds. 

Because groves of trees were not common along the southern California coast, early Spanish explorers (1500-1700) referred to this area as Punto do Los Arboles which means "Point of Trees". In 1850, the year California became a state, the tree was officially discovered by Dr. Charles Parry ( a medical doctor with an interest in botany) who was doing a survey to determine boundaries between Mexico and California. Dr. Parry named these trees for his friend Dr. John Torrey.

The fog was thick!

In 1956, the park was given to the State of California so that the many endangered species would have the protection they deserved.

Hiking was on our agenda for the day. Can you just imagine how excited we were?  We haven't been on a hike since July!  When we headed out about 9:00, the sun was shining and the skies were blue. The closer we got to La Jolla, the cloudier and foggier it got! We were expecting to see spectacular views of the ocean from the look-outs. "Turn around" was never mentioned as we finally parked along the street with very little visibility in front of us. So, most of the pictures in tonight's post look like black and white photographs with some beautiful spots of color thrown in.  

 The first part of the hike was along the rode leading to the top where the Visitor's Center is. About half way up, we turned right and followed the Guy Fleming Loop Trail.

According to the kiosk, the cones at the top of the Torrey Pine are the female, seed bearing cones and take 3-5 years to mature...

 In January and February, these small pollen filled male cones form on the lower branches.

Also, the needles have an important job...they collect fog droplets in their deep groves and channels them to the ground so that moisture is not lost to evaporation.

I guess this is a good time to mention that Torrey Pines are the rarest native pines in the United States...but danger is present.

We saw these strange looking things as we hiked and then came upon this sign that explains they are Bark Beetle Traps. 









A volunteer we stopped and chatted with said that 127 trees have died as a result of the beetle.

California State Flower...California Poppy

What a great day we had...until next time, take care and...

...happy trails!