Coast to Crest Trail Challenge Year 8
EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
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Are you ready for some excellent adventures? Lace up those boots and challenge yourself to finish the five the hikes of the Coast to Crest Trail Challenge Year 8. Hikers can go solo or explore nature with spouses, sweethearts, besties, kids, dogs or any combination of the above. The challenge is designed to get people outdoors to appreciate the natural beauty that is so close to their homes. For some of the hikes, the Conservancy organizes “Walk N Talk” outings for groups. Hikers can register for Walk N Talk hikes on our Events page. We can't wait to see you on the trails!
THE DETAILS
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Finish the five hikes in any order before July 1, 2025.
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Hikers can go solo or explore the trails with spouses, sweethearts, besties, kids, dogs or any combination of the above.
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Hikers can complete one or more of the hikes with a "Walk N Talk" group (see schedule below).
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During each hike, shoot a fun selfie. Shoot the photograph anywhere along the trail that inspiration strikes. Feel free to ham it up and get creative!
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For verification, email five selfies—one from each hike—as full-size JPG or PNG files to sdrvc@sdrvc.org. Include names of everyone shown in the photos, including dogs.
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If you post your selfies, tag us @sdrvc.
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When submitting selfies, include your mailing address so we can send you a finisher's packet with a Certificate of Completion and a 2024-25 C2C patch.
Hike 1: Bernardo Bay Trail
(Walk N Talk July 26th)
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Parking*​​
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1.6 miles total (loop trail)
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Easy
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The Bernardo Bay Trail skirts the Lake Hodges shoreline. Hikers can see the lowered water levels coinciding with the maintenance of the Lake Hodges Dam.
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Hike 2: Piedras Pintadas Trail
(Walk N Talk August 30th)
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4.4 miles total (2.2 miles one-way)
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Easy/Moderate
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Highlights: Interpretive panels describe the culture and resource management techniques of the Kumeyaay. The Piedras Pintadas trail segment, located near Lake Hodges in the San Dieguito River Park, is a culturally and historically significant segment of the Coast to Crest Trail. "Piedras Pintadas" means "painted rocks" in Spanish and refers to the rock art left by Native Americans who inhabited the area for thousands of years. This hike crosses chaparral-covered hillsides and the shores of Lake Hodges. As a kind of window into the past, the trail enables hikers to connect with the rich indigenous history of the region.
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* Park here for both Hike 1 and Hike 2.
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Hike 3: Del Dios Gorge Trail
(Walk N Talk September 27th)​
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4.6 miles total (2.3 miles one-way)
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Moderate
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Highlights: Bridge over the gorge, geology features, rattlesnake art piece at the viewpoint near the dam flume.
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The trail segment follows the north side of Lake Hodges and winds through the Del Dios Gorge, a narrow, steep-walled canyon carved by the San Dieguito River, showcasing the area's unique geology and native plant communities. A highlight of the trail is the Rattlesnake Viewpoint, a resting spot in the form of a rattlesnake made from native rock. Here hikers can learn about the important role of rattlesnakes in the ecosystem as well as the history of the Lake Hodges Dam. The trail offers an up-front view of the dam's spillway, bulwarks and the river below.​​
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Hike 4: South Clevenger Canyon
(Walk N Talk October 25th)
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5 miles total (2.5 miles one-way)
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Moderate/Strenuous - BRING LOTS OF WATER, highly recommended to complete this segment in the cooler months. Complete only as much of the trail segment as you are comfortable with. We will accept any selfie from this trail.
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Highlights: Views of San Pasqual Valley, views of high El Cajon and Cuyamaca peaks, and bolted lawn rocking chairs on a boulder. The Clevenger Canyon South Trail is approximately 5 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet (hiking poles are recommended). The trail is steep in sections, winding up through rocky terrain and chaparral-covered hillsides. The canyon is named after John Clevenger, who settled with his family in San Pasqual Valley in 1872 to begin wheat and dairy farming. The Clevenger home was the oldest house in the valley until it was lost in the October 2007 wildfires. Like the Clevenger Canyon North trail, the Clevenger Canyon South trail is managed by the City of San Diego Park & Recreation Department.​
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Hike 5: Upper Santa Ysabel Truck Trail
(NO WALK N TALK November or December)
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10 miles total (5 miles one-way)
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The reason this hike is so much longer is due to parking at Pamo Valley Staging Area, as the Upper Santa Ysabel Truck Trail connects at the END of the Pamo Valley segment of the Coast to Crest Trail.​
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The Upper Santa Ysabel Truck Trail connects the north end of the Pamo Valley Trail almost to Lake Sutherland as it traces Santa Ysabel Creek. Vehicles are permitted on the extremely rugged trail, which climbs about 700 feet to a ridge before passing into shady tributary canyons. This trail, like the Lower Santa Ysabel Truck Trail, is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
