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Explore some of the San Dieguito River Valley’s most iconic spots in the 2021-2022 Coast to Crest Trail Challenge!

Complete the five hikes by June 30, 2022.

Everyone who completes the Challenge and submits selfies for verification will receive a special certificate, sticker and the winning, beautiful, new patch (pictured above) designed by Canyon Crest Academy student Elizabeth Campbell Budilenko .  Not only will you earn bragging rights about at least five unique outdoor adventures, you will receive a cooling towel showcasing the creations of the other finalists in the patch design contest!

Team SDRVC, (Trish, Emily, Joseph (and his trusty dog, Frodo), Slader, Ellie, Tim, Lee and Bill) explored all of the trails that make up this year’s C2C Trail Challenge.  We had a blast hiking, scouting the selfie spots, taking photos, and trying out all of the motivation destinations.  Look for our trail notes in each of the hike descriptions below.  We hope you enjoy the 2021-2022 C2C Trail Challenge as much as we did!


After you finish all five hikes, send selfies to sdrvc@sdrvc.org

When sending selfies, please:

      • Include names of everyone shown in the photos (that goes for dogs, too!)
      • Format as .jpg or jpeg files
      • Send full-size, please don’t shrink those photos.

Please follow all regulations for each trail as posted by the different agencies.  Always check for hours of operation, alerts or unexpected closures. Notice: As of Jan. 3, the Dust Devil Nature Trail is open on weekends only to allow for wetlands restoration. See below for details and an option for a weekday workaround.

VIEW DETAILS ON HIKES FROM PAST YEARS’ CHALLENGES

Blue Sky PRESERVE AND

LAKE POWAY

MODERATE/STRENUOUS – 5.5 MILES

Blue Sky-Lake Poway C2C Trail Challenge Map

Blue Sky-Lake Poway C2C Trail Challenge Preview Video

Blue Sky-Lake Poway QR Code

Blue Sky-Lake Poway All Trails Link

Directions to Blue Sky-Lake Poway Parking

Selfie Spot is shown in the All Trails Link and the QR Code.  Please take selfie with your back to beautiful Lake Poway.

Team SDRVC Trail Notes:

This is a beautiful, meandering trail that takes you through oak-laden groves located between the Ramona and Poway Reservoirs.  There was a lot of shade during the first part of the hike, and we came upon a sweet picnic area nestled among an oak tree grove. This area does contain some poison oak so keep your eyes open for any leaves of three. Note to us:  Team SDRVC bonding event here soon.  

The trail borders the shores of Lake Poway and has several areas of elevation gains,  but a nice breeze seems to arrive at the right moment to cool you off when you need it most.  There were so many amazing views along the hike that it was hard to choose the selfie spot, but after climbing the hill, we were treated to an amazing view of Lake Poway right where two benches were waiting for us.  

There are restroom facilities and a little snack bar here at Lake Poway.  We will definitely be returning soon.  Please keep your dogs leashed.

Motivation Destination: Bernardo Winery, Rancho Bernardo

 

 

Black mountain summit via the miner’s loop trail

MODERATE/STRENUOUS – 4.3 MILES

Black Mountain Summit via Miner’s Loop Trail Map

Black Mountain Summit via Miner’s Loop C2C Trail Challenge Preview Video

Black Mountain Summit via Miner’s Loop Trail QR Code

Black Mountain Summit via Miner’s Loop Trail Link to All Trails

Directions to Black Mountain Summit via Miner’s Loop Parking

Selfie Spot is shown in the All Trails Link and the QR Code.  Please take selfie at the elevation sign with your back to the west.

Team SDRVC Trail Notes:

The trailhead for this hike is reached by a narrow road, located directly off Carmel Valley Road.  The driveway is hard to see, and the sign for the trailhead is covered by tree branches.  Make sure you follow the directions at the link above.  

The views from the top are amazing, and on a clear day you can see out to the ocean! After you reach the summit, you will retrace your steps back to the Miner’s Loop.  Make sure you treat yourself to different scenery by hiking the loop on the way down the opposite of how you went up.  Please keep your dogs leashed.

Motivation Destination:  Karl Strauss Brewing Company, 4S Ranch

 

new trail! Scorpion Ridge-

Santa Fe Valley Connector

MODERATE/STRENUOUS – 4.7 MILES

Santa Fe Valley Extension Trail Map

Santa Fe Valley Extension C2C Trail Challenge Preview Video

Santa Fe Valley Extension Trail QR Code

Santa Fe Valley Extension Trail Link to All Trails

Directions to Santa Fe Valley Extension Trail Parking

Selfie Spot is shown in the All Trails Link and the QR Code.  Please take selfie with The Crosby golf course in the background.

Team SDRVC Trail Notes:

This extension of the Santa Fe Valley segment of the Coast to Crest Trail is a fabulous addition.  After parking at the San Dieguito Trailhead, we walked for about a half mile to reach the Lusardi Creek.  The water was flowing and it was “fun” trying to navigate the boulders to reach the other side.  We definitely recommend that you do not hike this trail after a heavy rain. SDRVC, the Urban Corps of San Diego and the California Native Plant Society, San Diego Chapter recently completed a habitat restoration project to remove arundo, castor bean and some tamarisk.  More work needs to be done on this preserve.  You will notice that “pesky” artichoke thistle again along this trail, and fennel that are invasive plants.   We will be working with our conservation partners to remove these plants.

The cottonwoods, willows and sycamore looked healthy and provided us with a little shade as we walked through the preserve.  When we reached Artesian Road, we crossed onto the newest segment of the Coast to Crest Trail.  It follows the creek and is a moderate climb.  Make sure you stay on the trail in this area, which is surrounded by private property and homes. This trail is dog friendly, so feel free to take your fur baby out for some fresh air and please keep on a leash!

Motivation Destination:  Thyme in the Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe

 

 

dust devil TRAIL at the san dieguito lagoon

EASY – 1.75 MILES

NOTICE! AS OF JAN. 3, THE DUST DEVIL TRAIL IS OPEN ON WEEKENDS ONLY TO ALLOW FOR WETLANDS RESTORATION. SEE BELOW FOR A WEEKDAY WORKAROUND. 

Dust Devil Trail at the San Dieguito Lagoon C2C Trail Challenge Map

Dust Devil Trail at the San Dieguito Lagoon C2C Trail Challenge Preview Video

Dust Devil Trail at the San Dieguito Lagoon QR Code

Dust Devil Trail at the San Dieguito Lagoon All Trails Link

Directions to Dust Devil Trail at the San Dieguito Lagoon Parking

Selfie Spot is shown in the All Trails Link and the QR Code.  Please take selfie with your back to the south at the lookout point.

Team SDRVC Trail Notes:

You cannot go wrong with a trail name after the Dust Devils, right?  It’s not named after the dusty whirlwinds, but for the San Dieguito River Park’s amazing trail volunteers who whip the trails into such great shape.  We enjoyed the easy pace of the hike through tall coastal sage and chaparral.  Three loops make the hike interesting.  We started on the southern loop and worked our way to the north. This scenic mild hike will get you warmed up for the rest of the day.  This one is great to take the kiddos along!  Please make sure you keep dogs leashed.

Weekday Workaround during Dust Devil trail closure:
Segment of Coast to Crest Trail (2.2 miles RT – Easy)

Open trail map

Hankering for hike on a weekday while the Dust Devil trail is closed? Take a trek on the Coast to Crest Trail from the Coastal Ranger Station to El Camino Real. Park at the San Dieguito Lagoon Staging Area and Ranger Station and head east. The hike is 2.2 miles round trip and mostly flat. One stretch affords sweeping views of the river valley. Another is sandwiched between Del Mar Horsepark and the river.

Shoot your selfie at the Birdwing Open Air Classroom. (We would love to see a yoga pose!)

Motivation Destination:  Viewpoint Brewing Company, Del Mar

GONZALES CANYON LOOP TRAIL

EASY/MODERATE – 4 MILES

Gonzales Canyon Trail Map

Gonzales Canyon C2C Trail Challenge Preview Video

Gonzales Canyon Trail QR Code

Gonzales Canyon Trail Link to All Trails

Directions to Gonzales Canyon Trail Parking

Selfie Spot is shown in the All Trails Link and the QR Code.  Please take selfie with your back to the west and the trees in the background.

Team SDRVC Trail Notes:

We felt empowered after our hike at the Dust Devil trail, so we decided to hike this one, on the same day.  Although it is located in an urban canyon, the deeper you hike into the canyon, the more rural it feels.  There are places on the trail that are eroded to a point that a hiking stick will be useful.  As you get nearer to the creek, the poison oak becomes so dense along each side of the trail that it resembles a forest.  We were careful to not brush our bodies, backpacks, or hiking sticks against it.  There was a lot of shade on the trail, and the surroundings were diverse.  Please make sure you keep dogs leashed.

Motivation Destination:  Bushfire Kitchen, Del Mar