JACUMBA HIKERS HIT THE TRAIL WITH HIKES SEPT. 21-OCT. 26

By Miriam Raftery

August 26, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – As fall and cooler weather approaches, the Jacumba Hikers have released a schedule of upcoming hikes from Sept. 21 through Oct. 26. The hikes range from easy to hard to destinations that include peaks in Anza Borrego, Kitchen Creek Falls, Jacumba’s fall festival, Valley of the Moon, Devil’s Canyon and Carrizo Creek. Below is the full schedule with details, and be sure to read the group’s safety tips. 

9/21/19 – Meditation/Hike/Potluck - Hikers will meet at 8 a.m. at the Jacumba Spa, 44500 Old Hwy. 80, Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934 and carpool to Greg's. Event begins with a 30 minute meditation and then a hike and ending with a potluck meal. Hike is rated EASY approx. three mi. and will take you through the dry creek beds below Table Mountain to dirt roads in the southwestern border of Anza Borrego State Park to “Pape's Peak”. No Dogs Please! It's a Pot Luck! Please bring a Dish to Share for after the hike. Hike Leader: gregcurran@sbcglobal.net CANCELLED: This event is cancelled due to the hike leader needing eye surgery.

9/28/19 – Kitchen Creek Falls and Beyond - Approx. eight miles with a 1500 elevation change. This hike is rated MODERATE (+) with some steep/slippery challenges near the water. We will hike along the Pacific Crest Trail and visit both upper and lower falls and we will enjoy lunch during one of the stops along the water. Meet at 8 a.m. at the trailhead. Take I-8 to Buckman Springs Rd. Go south to Old Hwy 80, turn east (left) and go about two miles to PCT parking along the Old Hwy. 80.  No Dogs Please! Bring three liters water, lunch & snacks. Wear sturdy hiking shoes. Hike leader: Rhonda Burt (760) 562-2503 

10/05/19 – Jacumba Walk-About & Fall Festival – This hike is rated EASY, four miles round trip. Dog Friendly on a 6’ leash. Walkers will meet at 8 a.m. at the Jacumba Spa, 44500 Old Hwy. 80, Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934. This hike will take you to the Chinese Castle, the Natural Hot Springs, Jacumba Lake, Sand Wash, past the old Railroad Station, through the Jacumba Hot Springs neighborhood, Jacumba Spa, Library/Community Park the Border Fence and back. Walk Leader: Greg Curran gregcurran@sbcglobal.net Jacumba Fall Festival – Community Park.

10/12/19 – Valley of the Moon - Which may include: Smuggler’s Cave, an old hideout of bandits and smugglers off I-8 East, just past the San Diego/Imperial County line in a high desert area near the Mexican border. We’ll also hike in through the Valley of the Moon, Elliot Mine and Blue Angels Peak Monument. This hike is rated HARD with the out and back distance at 7 to 8.6 miles (approx. 4 hrs. round trip). No dogs please! Hikers will meet at 8 a.m. at Jacumba Spa, 44461 Old Hwy 80l Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934. Hike Leader is Bill Pape (619) 766-4927. 

10/19/19 – Devil’s Canyon – A four mile round trip hike rated HARD.  The hike includes a mostly sandy wash with some bouldering. Bring ample water as the temperatures can reach 80 degrees even in October. The hike begins and ends near the on and off ramps of Route I-8 Mountain Springs Grade. No dogs please! Hikers will meet at 8 a.m. at the Jacumba Spa, 44500 Old Hwy. 80, Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934 to carpool. Hike leaders:  Mike Rood roodlaw@yahoo.com (760) 455-1876 and Angel Somera. 

10/26/19 – Carrizo Creek – This is a four mi. round trip hike rated MODERATE (+ ) -  Traveling a short distance on a county maintained dirt road, through a short tunnel to the “Echoing Mountains”, down a cliff to a creek bed strewn with boulders, overgrown shrubs and Tamarisk trees. Following the creek bed we will encounter numerous pools and waterfalls. Hikers will meet at 8 a.m. at the Jacumba Spa, 44500 Old Hwy. 80, Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934. Breakfast is available at the Spa starting at 7 a.m. No Dogs Please! Hike Leader: Karla karlacrn@yahoo.com  

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