Trail Explorers

Torrey Pines to La Jolla Shores

2008-06-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, June 17, 2008, we hoofed it from Torrey Pines to La Jolla shores. Early in the morning we dropped off a car at La Jolla Shores, then we drove to Torrey Pines, where we begun the hike. The 5 mile hike took us 1 hour 50 minutes.

La Jolla Shores GPS coordinates: North 32° 51.477', West 117° 15.393'
Torrey Pines GPS coordinates: North 32° 55.839', West 117° 15.600'

Cardiff State Beach to South Carlsbad State Beach

2008-06-22T14:17:00.000-07:00

We strongly recommend the hike from Cardiff State Beach to South Carlsbad State Beach. We took two cars, dropped one off at the destination point and drove South to the starting point. The entire hike, one way, is 5.5 miles. It took us two hours and twenty minutes. We begun our hike at 7:20AM, so most of the time we were in the shade provided by the cliffs running along the beach facing West. We intentionally timed our hike during low tide as there are two areas that are inaccessible during high tide.

Cardiff State Beach GPS coordinates:
North 33° 1.026', West 117° 16.890'

South Carlsbad State Beach [South Ponto]:
North 33° 5.114', West 117° 18.698'

Border Field State Park

2008-06-21T20:58:00.000-07:00

The Border Field State Park is as far South and West one can be in the continental United States. We visited it twice within one week. The first time was extremely fun, but the second time we found ourselves in the midst of mosquito hell!

The first time we headed straight for the beach and from there we headed South to the United States/Mexican boarder. The second time we parked further North forcing us to walk through the Tijuana river wash area. The trails through the wash are actually pretty cool. We were always buried in a canopy of trees and the trail is narrowly walled by all sorts of plant life. The trail floor is sand mixed with occasional debris which I assume washed in from Tijuana when the water was high. If I were going to do it again I'd spray tons of Off (mosquito repellent) on my body parts. There were tons of mosquitos!

Here is a combination of pics from both visits:

Here's a nice view of the Plaza de Toros Monumental, aka The Tijuana Bullring, located just South of the US/Mexican boarder.

Here's Clarita and Daniel, my nephew, and a father and his son spending a day at the Tijuana beach.

La Migra!

Border Field State Park [page 2]

2008-06-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

Nephews: Derec, Daniel, and Lee.

Torrey Pines Beach Trail

2008-06-14T19:53:00.000-07:00

At Torrey Pines State Reserve there are plenty of spectacular trails to choose from. On the morning of June 14, 2008 we chose the Torrey Pines Beach Trail. We started off at the visitor center and hiked the beach trail down to the beach. From there we headed South to the beach area that sets just below the Torrey Pines Golf Course. From there we doubled back as we were running short on time.

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Plants at Torrey Pines

2008-06-14T18:31:00.000-07:00

Cowles Mountain summit

2008-06-09T18:58:00.001-07:00

Facing Murray Lake at Cowles Mt. summit. 1,591 feet above sea level, 1.5 miles from the trail head at Golf Crest Road. From the trailhead to the summit we ascended 950 feet. North 32° 48.769', West 117° 1.914'

It took us 45 minutes to summit.

Here's a view from the summit facing North.

Here's a picture of a flower along the trail on the way up.

Here's an areal view:

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Cowles Mountain Trail Head at Golf Crest Road

2008-06-09T18:14:00.001-07:00

Here we are at the Cowles Mountain trail head at Golf Crest Drive (South approach). Summit GPS coordinates: North 32° 48.293', West 117° 2.247'.

Noble Canyon Trail Head

2008-06-07T13:17:00.001-07:00

Our hike from the Big Laguna trail head to the Big Laguna lake took 49 minutes. By the way; the Noble Canyon Trail Head coordinates at Sunrise Highway is: North 32° 54.340', West 116° 27.454'.

Big Laguna Lake

2008-06-07T12:33:00.000-07:00

so here we are at Big laguna Lake, which is not so big. But it's a pretty sight. It took 1.25 hours to hike here (we took a few breaks along the way). Coordinates: North 23° 52.958', West 116° 27.721'. We'll eat a snack and head back.

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At target destination, Big Laguna Lake

2008-06-07T12:19:00.000-07:00

Nearing Big Laguna Lake

2008-06-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

about 40 minutes into hike.

The Big Laguna Trail Head

2008-06-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

Just a few steps in is the trail head to the Big Laguna Trail. We.ll hike this one.

Noble Canyon Trail

2008-06-07T10:43:00.001-07:00

here we are at Noble Canyon Trail, just off Sunrise highway, Mount Laguna, CA. It took exactly one hour to drive here from La Mesa, CA.