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!