Utah-Arizona Camping and Hiking Trip

About the Hikes: Easy to Strenuous hikes, 3 of which are described below

Time: Total trip time = 8 days

Distance: See below

Driving and other Info: 1900mi, 9 stops

Our Route: Route map

Grand Canyon - Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point

About the Hike: Strenuous hike with plenty of elevation loss/gain. Upper elevations are somewhat cooler, but in summer temperatures can soar at lower elevations. Don't attempt the hike unless you are in good shape. Water is available at 1.5 mile resthouse, 3 mile resthouse and Indian Garden.

Time: Start: 11.15am, End: 7pm; total hiking time = 7hrs 45min

Distance: 12.2mi roundtrip; elevation loss/gain: 6785 ft to 3770 ft

Driving and other Info:
Take I-40 followed by Az-64N to the Grand Canyon South Rim. Trailhead is located just west of Bright Angel Lodge. 550mi, 8hrs 15min drive from La Jolla.

Our Hike: Temperatures were cool in the night, but it quickly became warm in the morning by around 8am. Lower elevations are much hotter, with only occasional shade except for Indian Garden, so the biggest problem on this hike is the heat and associated dehydration. This trail is best hiked in spring and fall (also when this trail is most popular). Steep descent for the first 3 mi, then becomes flatter close to Indian Garden. The main trail proceeds to the bottom of the canyon and descends another 800ft to the Colorado River. However, the trail from Indian Garden to Plateau Point is quite flat, with good 360 degree views of the canyon, and a rewarding view down over the River at the end. We saw a number of rafters in the river.

Map of the trail. As usual, preparation is important - good sleep, light lunch, small snacks and drink lots of water along the way. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are very useful. Some of us were slightly out of shape, so we took longer than usual (we think).

Pictures:

Grand Canyon Trip - Hike to Plateau Point

Queen's Garden-Peekaboo 8 Loop

About the Hike: Moderate. Best times to hike is October. Spectacular thunderstorm vistas and cool weather.

Time: Total hike time = 4hr (+ additional time spent lunching)

Distance: 6.4mi round trip, 600ft elev change

Driving and other Info:
Shuttle to trailhead from visitor center

Our Hike: I think we chose the perfect day to hike this trail, of course it was extremely crowded for the same reason, but still well worth it. The trail takes you into the heart of Bryce Canyon, with other-worldly formations by your side as you walk along the trail. It is tempting to stray off the trail, but be careful about cryptobiotic soil and slippery conditions.

Emerald Pools

About the Hike: Easy hike, but maybe sandy and slippery. Best times to hike are during the Fall or Spring season.

Time: Total hike time = 1.5hr (+ additional time spent in the pool and for photos)

Distance: 2.9mi round trip, 600ft elev change

Driving and other Info:
In Zion national park, take shuttle

Our Hike: Very easy and pleasant hike, with a cool pool to relax your tired feet. Ideal hike to finish up a long day of hikes. We had done many small hikes in Zion and finished up with this one.

Mount Whitney Peak from Lone Pine

About the Hike: Extremely strenuous hike requiring ample preparation for high altitude physical activity. For those with acute altitude issues, the best approach is to hike this over 3-4 days, with sleeping altitudes (camping) at 8600ft (base camp/Lone Pine), 10400ft (Outpost Camp) and 12000ft (Trail Camp), and final summit (14500ft) on the 4th day. Weather conditions are icy and cold for most of the year. Best times to hike are during the months of July, August and September.

Time: Total hike time = 20hrs 10 min

Distance: 22mi round-trip, elevation gain: from 8600ft (trailhead) to 12000ft (trail camp) to 14500ft (summit)

Driving and other Info:
Follow I-215N to I-15N to 395N. The city of Lone Pine is the portal to the Whitney trailhead. Lone Pine is about 160mi up on state highway 395N north of the I-15/395 junction. Take the Whitney portal road 13mi west from 395 (turn left at the only traffic light in Lone Pine). Whitney Portal shop, trailhead and campsites are at the end.

Our Hike: In one word, gruelling. We learnt several lessons on how best to hike this mountain. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are very useful. We didn't sleep well at Trail Camp and this made our hike all the more tougher.Day 1 Start: 1.10pm, End: 8.15pm, hike time = 7hrs 5min;
Day 2 Start: 7am, Summit: 12.07pm, Start back: 12.30pm, End: 8:30pm, hike time = 13hrs 5min
Map of the trail.

Do
- Acclimatize properly (and slowly)
- Hike about 500-700ft above your sleeping elevation for any particular day
- Hydrate frequently (consume around 4L per person per day in 60-70F weather)
- Consume instant energy foods (e.g. chocolates) and salted foods (e.g. crackers, trail mix) frequently in small amounts
- Breathe properly, good deep inhales and exhales every so often
- Pack your gear in advance, planning for adequate but not overburdening amounts of food and gear
- Prepare for adverse weather conditions, with emergency supplies
- Leave all your camping equipment at Trail Camp while going up the to peak and pick them up on the way down

Don't
- Carry more than 2L of water. Water is available at plenty of locations on the trail and can be easily filtered. At higher altitudes, the snow-melt is pure and requires no filtering. More than 2L of water weighs you down.
- Assume that you can hike it in a short timeframe without proper acclimatization. You will not only have a bad experience, but also will regret not being able to enjoy the beauty of the sierras.

Pictures:

Mt. Whitney Peak Hike

San Bernardino Peak

About the Hike: Strenuous hike with plenty of hiking in thinner air. Upper elevations are cool even in summer, though spring may require snow gear. Don't attempt the hike without proper training. Very similiar to San Jacinto.

Time: Start: 10.20am, End: 8pm, total hiking time = 9hrs 40min

Distance: 15.7mi round-trip, elevation gain: from 5500ft to 10600ft

Driving and other Info:
Follow I-15N to 215N to 10E, take the 38E highway to the Mill Creek Ranger Station. Trailhead is behind the fire station at Angelus Oaks. 126mi, 2hrs 11min from La Jolla.

Our Hike: Temperatures were soaring on the day we hiked this trail. The lower elevations are hotter, but also have plenty of shade, so the biggest problem in summer is bugs. This trail would be best in fall. Steep ascents for about 2 mi, then flatter to Manzanita Springs, followed by steep ascents again to Limber Pine and beyond. There are 3 peaks: San Bernardino peak, East San Bernardino peak and Anderson peak (also confusingly called San Bernardino Mountain). Our goal was to get to San Bernardino peak. Map for all peak locations. Preparation is key, just as with San Jacinto, i.e. good sleep, light lunch, small snacks and water along the way, ascending gradually after 9000ft. Once acclimatized, one can push oneself.

San Jacinto

About the Hike: Strenuous hike with plenty of hiking in thinner air. Generally cool in summer and fall, though spring may require snow gear. Don't attempt the hike without proper training.

Time: Start: 8.45am, End: 8pm, total hiking time = 11hrs 15min

Distance: 17mi roudtrip, elevation gain: from 6280ft to 10804ft

Driving and other Info:
Follow I-15N to 79S, left at 371, left at 74 and right at 243 to Idyllwild, the ranger station is on Pine Crest Ave. Follow Pine Crest and Fern Valley to the end to the top of Humber Park, which is the trailhead.

Our Hike: We did this hike twice. First time was faster, around 7.5hrs. Second time was slower, around 11hrs, mainly due to additional weight and lack of sleep the previous day. We learnt some important lessons on the hike: sleep well before, have a light lunch during the hike and climb gradually after 8000ft. The views are fantastic, but you won't enjoy it if you feel the effects of altitude, so prepare well. The path goes steep-flat-steep, so the last section to the peak is the toughest. The path is rocky and has tree roots cutting across, so watch your step.

Dripping Springs

About the Hike: Strenuous hike, mainly due to distance covered, elevation gain is not very taxing. Summers are too hot, preferred time is spring or fall. Vegetation coverage is limited initially, but gets more and more wooded later. It would be useful to wear protective (long sleeve) clothing or have a machete to prevent getting scratches from thorns / plants that grow into the trail frequently. Also WATCH OUT for rattlesnakes ! They are well-camouflages, and sometimes may be on the trail.

Time: Start: 10.30am, End: 6.45pm, total hiking time = 7hr 45min (lunch 30min)

Distance: 6.8mi one-way on trail, 0.4mi along campground, total = 14.4mi, elevation: 1600ft to 4400ft variation

Driving and other Info:
1 hr (64mi) from La Jolla, http://backpacker.trimbleoutdoors.com/viewTrip.aspx?tripID=8492&mode=TripMap
http://www.etreking.com/eTreking/Pages/SanDiego.html

Our Hike: We started a little late in the morning, but were confident of finishing before sunset. The trailhead starts at a campground and we approached it going on 78E. There is a sign for "Dripping Springs" opposite the campground and trail. Contour maps help understand the trail's up and downs, so we armed ourselves with a digital pic of the trail map. We also had the map from the link above, which was surprisingly easy to follow.

Lunchbreak was around 2.30pm, and we had covered about 6mi, unsure of whether to continue or not. I think the lunch energized us enough to complete the hike, so we went till the trail ended at the Palomar McGee trail. The way back was rather eventful, we saw two snakes, includinga southwestern speckled rattlesnake, which was so well camouflaged, I didn't see it till I almost stepped on it on the trail. After that, our pace slowed a little, as we scrutinized shaded trail areas closely for snakes. We were back at the trailhead by 6.45pm.

Henry W. Coe State Park - Burra Burra Loop & Kingbird Pond

Coe Backcountry Weekend: This is the largest state park in Northern California, and the second largest in the state (after Anza Borrego State Park in Southern California). For one weekend every year, the park opens up the gates at Bell Station entrance on Highway 152, east of Gilroy. The east side of the park has beautiful wildflowers and scenic trails, with breathtaking panoramic views of the Diablo Range. Entrance is by application only (chosen by lottery), and the number of cars each day are limited. All cars with 2-day permits are allowed to drive along the Kaiser Aetna Road till Orestimba Corral. We had a two-wheel drive vehicle, but we would strongly encourage anyone driving upto Orestimba Corral to consider taking a four-wheel drive - it will be worth it. There are wide & deep potholes, creek crossings and regular depressions on the dirt road beyond Dowdy Ranch. We got valuable info from the following sites:
http://www.coepark.org/
http://www.coestatepark.com/
http://www.broadsword.com/geocaching/CachingCoe.shtml

Driving Info: From the Bay Area, take US 101-S followed by CA-152 east at Gilroy. The Bell Station entrance to the park is located around 19 miles into CA-152, on the north side. Map of the location.

Burra Burra Loop
About the Hike: Starts and ends at the Dowdy Ranch Visitor Center. Easy hike with slight elevation gain and loss. During summer, expect to encounter lots of insects, ticks (beware of lyme disease!) and poison oak (look, but don't touch!). Temperatures were quite warm, but didn't affect us since the hike was very short. This hike offers good views of the Dowdy Ranch section of the park. The hike up to Burra Burra Peak is an optional side trail just before the hike starts going downhill.
Time: Start: 10am, End: 12pm; total hiking time = approx 2hrs
Distance: Around 3mi roundtrip; elevation gain: a few hundred feet

Kingbird Pond Hike
About the Hike: Starts and ends at Orestimba Corral. Intermediate hike with slight elevation gain and loss. Again, expect to encounter insects, ticks and poison oak. Make sure to carry lots of water as the day can get very warm. We went up the trail and looped back through the dirt road. We saw a lady who had to be driven back to Orestimba Corral due to heatstroke. This hike ends at Kingbird Pond which is a pretty little lake with several campsites around it, with a few families sitting around fishing and generally relaxing.
Time: Start: 2pm, End: 6pm; total hiking time = approx 4hrs
Distance: 5.5mi roundtrip; elevation gain: 780 feet

Pictures: The first part of the album has pictures from our hikes in the Park. On the way back from the Bay Area, we drove down on CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway), and got a chance to take some nice pictures along the coastline.

Henry Coe State Park

Cedar Creek Falls

About the hike: This is a moderate hike that is suitable for most of the year. Summer would be ideal because you can take a dip in the pool at the base of the waterfall. There is a 9-mile dirt road that ends at the trailhead. The dirt road is mostly navigable on passenger cars. San Diego is the closest big city. The trail itself is between the towns of Ramona and Julian.

Distance: 4.5 miles round-trip, 1200 feet elevation loss/gain

Hiking Time: Approx 2.5 hrs round trip

Driving Directions from San Diego on Google Maps (Click on link)

More information from "Afoot & Afield San Diego County: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide By Jerry Schad" available on google books (Click on link)

Our Trip: We planned to start off on the hike at around 9am, with 10 people in the group. However, due to various logistical reasons, we ended up leaving San Diego only at around 10am. We started off in two rental cars with 5 people in each. We had a quick stop in Ramona to get some subs and oranges for lunch. We reached the trailhead and started our hike downhill at around 12:40pm. The weather was excellent when we set out, around 60F and sunny.

We took our time walking downhill, stopping every few minutes to take lots of pictures of the wildflowers on the hillsides, and different species of caterpillars and beetles. Some of us saw a small 1-foot long snake that raced into a hole in the ground as we walked by. For the first mile or so, there is an excellent view of the valley through which the creek flows. Most of this section was exposed, but since the day was quite cool, we didn't feel anything.

Close to the bottom of the valley, we came to the point where the trail split between two paths that led to the bottom and top of the falls. If you follow the trail straight down, you reach the bottom of the falls. If you take the trail on the left, you go to the top of the falls. We chose the bottom path.

We took many pictures here and then sat down and had our lunch.After around 0.3 miles, we came across a "No Trespassing" sign, followed by a 3-way intersection on the trail. On the section of the trail heading straight ahead, we saw another "No Trespassing" sign that we assumed was part of private property. We took a left turn at this point towards the third direction where we saw a couple of other hikers emerge from. The trail crossed a couple of streams and went through some trees and shrubs to end at the base of the falls. There was a big pool at the base of the falls that was the origin for one section of the creek.

A family that had arrived at the falls just after we did soon started diving and swimming in the pool. Diving is officially prohibited due to the dangers of injuring yourself due to the shallow depth of the water as well as rocks on the pool floor (they didn't seem to care, however). The father and 3 sons were diving from some rocks on the side of the pool, while his 2 daughters were just generally swimming in the pool. The mother was taking pictures from the edge of the pool. (All above relationships are assumptions on my part, of course)

After lunch, we decided to get a bit adventurous and hiked up a steep path on the left side of the waterfalls to the top. It started off rocky and easy at the bottom, but got really steep towards the top with loose gravel and sand. Some people in the group had a little trouble, but we all got to the top in one piece. We got a nice view of the creek that became the falls. We saw a dead rattlesnake that smelled something fierce. Its body was still decomposing, but its head (and part of its body) was lying separately a few feet away, completely decomposed. We could see a few vertebrae too.

We hiked back to towards the main trail and joined it at the first fork, and hiked back uphill to the trailhead. In the end, our return hike was much faster than our onward one. We were back at the trailhead at around 4:40pm. We had a drink of water and started driving back to San Diego. We reached back home at around 6:30pm.

Pictures:

Cedar Creek Falls Hike

Anza Borrego Pictograph Trail

About the Hike: This is a great hike, the trail becomes unmarked after about a mile, and then it's scrambling on rocks, that was the exciting part. Probably a moderate hike, and definitely involves bouldering, climbing on rocks (no ropes needed). Choose a cool day, since there is no cover from the sun, this is the middle of the desert.

Time: Start: 1.00pm, End: 5:00pm, total hiking time = 4hr

Distance: 3mi one-way (1mi marked, rest is jumping on boulders), elevation: 400ft gain

Driving and other Info: The key is to drive there in a car that has clearance. The approach road is also very uneven, so drive in a car that can handle all that. Follow this map, don't take the other route since it will kill the car. SUV is best. 71mi, 2 hrs from La Jolla.

Our Hike: We had some intresting experiences, both on the hike and driving back. My car has very low clearance, and it was shoveling sand all the way. Another car got stuck in sand while passing us on the opposite side, so we had quite an adventure rescuing it.

The hike was on a cool March afternoon, and you can go as far as you want, we stopped at a cliff / small hill overlooking the Anza Borrego valley, the view was awesome and so was the path there. It gives you a feel of charting your own path through the wilderness without making it dangerous.

Mount Woodson

About the Hike: Moderate hike, gets pretty steep in parts. There is limited vegetation cover during the start of the hike, summers are rather hot, preferred time is spring or fall.

Time: Start: 11.45am, End: 4.15pm, total hiking time = 4.5hrs

Distance: 4.4mi one-way on trail, (about a mile on road and around Lake Poway) 3.4mi along main trail, elevation: 2000ft gain

Driving and other Info:
Lake Poway, 30 minutes from La Jolla

Our Hike: We did this hike at least twice, relatively cool days both times. Pretty easy hike for active folks, is a good hike to start with if you have not been active. We saw a rattler close to the top, so watch out for the shadowy sides.

Elfin Forest

About the Hike: Easy hike. Vegetation on and off the trail, it is part of an ecological preserve, starts off with a small stream and goes uphill, not very steep. Preferred time is spring or fall.

Time: Start: 2.30pm, End: 5.30pm, total hiking time = 3hrs

Distance: 3.2mi roudtrip, elevation: 1200ft gain

Driving and other Info:
Easy to get lost .. we followed google maps which routed through a private community, google seems to have corrected the error. From Highway 78 take Rancho Santa Fe Road south. East on San Elijo Road, turn into Elfin Forest road, and 5.5 mi, pull into the Elfin Forest Receational Reserve parking lot. 40 minutes from La Jolla.

Our Hike: Very pleasant hike, good if you have not had any activity and want to warm up to the tougher ones. We took our time on this, and the day was cool, so overall very enjoyable.