hiking

SUPERVISORS VOTE TO BUY AND CONSERVE 2,151 ACRE HISTORIC STAR RANCH LAND IN CAMPO

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

March 20, 2021 (Campo) -- San Diego County supervisors voted Wednesday to buy the 2,151-acre, historic Star Ranch area in Campo, its largest acquisition of sensitive habitat, wetlands, potential passive park land and hiking trails in a decade.

County officials said the land will provide a permanent home for sensitive species and conserve important habitat including 200 acres of wetlands, and it could eventually provide a large park and connections for hikers to nearby trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail.


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BODY FOUND IN OTAY MOUNTAINS WHERE DIRT BIKER WENT MISSING

Photo: Roberto Jose Manual Camou
Photo Courtesy: SD County Sheriff's Dept.
 
East County News Service
 
April 30, 2020 (Otay) –  A body was located shortly before noon yesterday on a rugged trail south of Otay Mountain, says Lt. Ricardo Lopez with the San Diego Sheriff’s department.  This is the area where Sheriff's deputies, the Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit and other partner agencies had been looking for missing dirt biker Roberto Jose Manual Camou.
 
Camou, 48, went off-roading on a motorcycle on Saturday, April 25th. The last time Camou's family heard from him was around noon that day, when he sent them a photo of him standing next to his motorcycle. 
 
Since then, the San Diego Sheriff's Department along with the San Diego Fire Department, U.S. Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR), California State Parks, California Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES) and other partner agencies have been working day and night trying to find Camou. 

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​PASSAGES: RHONDA BURT, 57, HIKING LEADER

By Miriam Raftery
 
February 20, 2020 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Rhonda Burt, 57, died doing what she loved most – hiking.  On Saturday, Feb. 15, the hiking leader was on the trail with the Jacumba Hikers group through rugged terrain in the Anza-Borrego desert when she suffered a fatal heart attack.
 
She had stopped to rest several times. Another hiker looked back, saw her lying on the ground and rushed to assist her. 911 was called, A Sheriff’s helicopter and ambulance responded, but efforts to resuscitate her failed. Burt, a resident of Imperial, was pronounced dead at the scene, on McCain Valley Road in Boulevard.

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MT. GOWER HAS A CHALLENGE FOR YOU

 

 

By Jose Eli Villanueva, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 31, 2019 (Ramona) - Looking for a challenging hike? Look no further than Mt. Gower County Preserve in Ramona. The preserve has approximately 8 miles of multi-use trails, including the Mt. Gower Ridge trail.


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SPRING HIKES IN COUNTY PARKS

 

 

East County News Service 

May 1, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Spring is here – time to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails. The County is offering a series of special hikes in county parks, from leisurely strolls to a rugged “Warrior hike challenge” up El Capitan.

 

Find details below provided by County Parks: 


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50 BEST SHORT HIKES: PRESENTATION AND BOOK SIGNING WITH DON ENDICOTT MARCH 2 AT MISSION TRAILS

 

 

East County News Service

 

February 4, 2019 (San Diego) -- Join co-author Don Endicott for a presentation on the revised 2nd edition of 50 Best Short Hikes, San Diego, the last book originally written by renown local hiking expert Jerry Schad, first published shortly after his untimely death in 2011. Endicott will be speaking and signing books at Mission Trails Regional Park on Saturday, March 2 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Admission is free.


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JACUMBA HIKERS AND OMEGAMANIACS HIKE TO BOW WILLOW AND ROCKHOUSE CANYONS LOOP JANUARY 12

 

East County News Service

 

January 8, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Jacumba Hikers are invited to join Omegamaniacs for their next hike Saturday, January 12 - Bow Willow and Rockhouse Canyons Loop.  This is a moderate 8 mile (5 hour) hike located northwest of Ocotillo off S-2.   Hikers will travel through canyons in the Carrizo Gorge Wilderness with the halfway point an old cattleman’s line shack.

 


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HIKER DIES AFTER COLLAPSING IN HORSE THIEF CANYON

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 22, 2018 (Jamul) – Cal Fire responded to a 911 all reporting a hiker in distress on a trail near Horse Thief Canyon off Lyons Valley Road near Jamul today. When they arrived, he was not breathing. Cal Fire personnel and Mercy medics attempted lifesaving measures, but could not revive him.


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HIKING SAFETY AT THREE SISTERS FALLS

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Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

August 9, 2018 (Ramona) -  It has been a record-breaking hot summer in San Diego County.  With temperatures hitting triple digits in our backcountry areas, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE San Diego and other agencies have been busy rescuing hikers who didn't prepare for the heat and sometimes treacherous terrain.  


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THE 22 MILE “CROSS TO CROSS” URBAN HIKE

 

By Greg Dunne

April 13, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- My buddy David, my son Kyle and I always enjoy doing long and unusual urban hikes. On this past Friday, April 8th, we did what we dubbed the “Cross to Cross” hike. We hiked from the top of Mt. Soledad in La Jolla to the top of Mt. Helix in La Mesa.


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“HOT” HIKING GUIDELINES FOR PEOPLE & PETS

 

After numerous dog deaths on local park trails, owners taking dogs hiking in hot weather can now be cited for animal cruelty.

By Ranger Rebecca Smart, Mission Trails Regional Park

August 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- Ready to get out and hike this summer? Great! The Rangers at Mission Trails have essential hiking info to share with you.

Follow these hiking guidelines every time you, and any four-legged companions, hit the trails this Summer; and you’ll be trail Rockstars for sure.


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TREK OUR TRAILS WITH GOOGLE

 

 

By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

July 30, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - San Diego is known for its many hiking trails. But sometimes, you want to know what you’re getting into before you make that trek. Or maybe you just want to see if the view really is as spectacular as the photos.


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ADVENTURES ON THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL: JULY 18 AT JACUMBA LIBRARY

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 10, 2017 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Adventurer Dana Law will present a travelogue about the West Coast’s national scenic trail on Tuesday, July 18 at the Jacumba Library (44605 Old Hwy 80, Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934 at 6 p.m. On 31 separate journeys over 13 years, Law completed all 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, which begins in California at the Mexican border and ends at the Canadian border in Washington.


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SHERIFF WARNS AGAINST HIKING TWO POPULAR TRAILS DURING EXTREME HEAT

 

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff's Department

June 17, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - An excessive heat watch is in effect for the desert areas of San Diego County.  With temperatures soaring to dangerous levels, the Sheriff's Department is reminding the public to take precautions when doing outdoor activities.  


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HIKERS: BE SAFE WHEN CHASING WATERFALLS, WILDFLOWERS

 

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  The trail out to and back from Three Sisters Falls is steep and often slippery.

April 19, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - San Diego County’s bountiful rainy season led to a wildflower super bloom in the deserts and cascading waterfalls in our mountains, each drawing a flood of visitors. Some of these hikers have been unprepared for the strenuous activity and became sick or injured. That’s resulted in a slight uptick in rescues or medical assistance, CAL FIRE and the San Diego Sheriff’s Department report.


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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HIKING WITH YOUR DOG

 

By Mate Garner, originally from https://www.scruffypuppyco.com/blogs/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-hiking-with-your-dog-1

February 11, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - Most dogs love hiking outdoors as much as humans. It's a great workout for both of you, but they also enjoy countless new smells they can sniff. It's important to be prepared for your hike so you have a safe, relaxing adventure with your pup. 


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FREE GUIDED FLUME TRAIL HIKE IN LAKESIDE FRIDAY, FEB. 10

 

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (Lakeside) - Robin Rierdan with the Lakeside Rive Park Conservancy will lead a series of four beautiful hikes through Lakeside. The first is this Friday, February 10th along the Flume Trail in El Monte Valley.  Space is limited and registration is required by Thursday. Register here.


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ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK HOSTS TWO FIRST DAY HIKES ON NEW YEAR’S DAY

 

East County News Service

December 27, 2016 (Borrego Springs) – Anza Borrego Desert State Park invites the public to start the New Year off with a “First Day Hike.”  The park will offer two guided hikes on January 1st, one at 9 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m.


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50TH ANNIVERSARY CHALLENGE: HIKE ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK’S BEST TRAILS AND PEAKS

 

Update: Hear our interview with Paige Rogowski, Executive Director of the Anza Borrego Foundation and Diana Lindsey,  past president of the Foundation and historian for Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Listen now by clicking the audio link.

Guided hikes are also available

East County News Service

November 16, 2016 (Anza-Borrego) – In celebration of Anza-Borrego Foundation’s 50th Anniversary, Anza-Borrego Foundation and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are inviting visitors to complete two five-hike challenges on some of the most famous (and infamous) peaks and trails in the region.

Audio: 

Anza Borrego 50th Anniversary: Interviews
Download: Audio icon Anza Borrego 50th Anniversary: Interviews

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CA PARKS WANTSTO BAN HIKING OR CLIMBING OFF TRAILS: JUNE 6 DEADLINE FOR COMMENT

 

 

 

 

 

East County News Service

June 3, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- The California Department of Parks and Recreation proposes prohibiting public access off designated trails.  The public has until June 6 to comment. California State Parks System Map  In San Diego County, that would include Rancho Cuyamaca and Anza Borrego Desert state parks.

The Anza Borrego Desert Foundation raises serious concerns about negative impacts to the public in their message below, which includes links to send your comments:


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TAKE A HIKE HONORING VETERANS THIS MEMORIAL DAY: WARRIOR CHALLENGE IN LAKESIDE MAY 30

 

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Lakeside) -- Remember our service members this Memorial Day with an unforgettable ascent up El Capitan. 


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8 TIPS FOR HIKING WITH YOUR DOG IN COUNTY PARKS

 

Source: County News Service

Photo: A hiker and his dog on the trails at Sycamore Canyon.

April 3, 2016 (San Diego) -- You grab your leash, and your dog automatically starts heading for the door.  He knows it’s time for a walk.


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS JAN. 23-FEB. 1

 

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant to support Destination East Couny.

 

January 19, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes disaster preparedness classes, hawk watching in Alpine, wine tasting with East County wineries from along Highway 94, desert hikes, and Health Awareness Month in Santee. 

Audio: 

Destination East County 1-21-16
Download: Audio icon Destination East County 1-21-16

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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: MICA GEM/TABLE MOUNTAIN

 

February 4, 2014 (McCain Valley) – Charles and Laurie Baker sent in these surreal images taken while hiking in the Mica Gem and Table Mountain wilderness areas in McCain Valley, where winds and weathering have carved out fantastic rock formations in this rugged terrain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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EAST COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION JULY EVENTS

July 6, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego Parks and Recreation has a plentitude of events planned around East County in the month of July.  There is something for everyone, from Ranger led hikes, playing earthball and star parties.  Below is a list of some of the events happening this month.  For a full list please visit http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/index.html.


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HIKE WITH THE WINEMAKER JUNE 29

June 28, 2013 (Ramona) – Join Jim, Milagro Farms winemaker, on June 29 at 4 p.m. for a guided hike around Milagro Farm Vineyards & Winery’s 20 acres of grapes.  This is a moderately strenuous hike and will finish at the tasting room with a private tasting.

Tickets are $10 per person or free with a bottle purchase.  RSVP to Audrey@milagrofarmwinery.com.  The winery is located at 18750 Littlepage Road, Ramona.


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JUNE HAPPENINGS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY PARKS

June 11, 2013 (San Diego) – County of San Diego Parks and Recreation has activities at parks throughout East County.  Activities include everything from guided hikes to Snakes ‘N Skins for the younger set.  Following is a list of events at East County parks:

DOS PICOS REGIONAL PARK

17953 Dos Picos Park Rd, Ramona | (760) 789-2220

FREE SATURDAY PROGRAMS

Every Saturday

Free Saturday programs meet at the Amphitheater at the scheduled time. Programs may change or cancel without notice depending upon the weather and Ranger availability. The Ranger needs to have at least 10 people for each program to begin.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: HIKING AT MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK

By Greg Dunne

March 6, 2013 -  Last week I did back to back hikes in Missions Trails Regional Park. I was treated with three Mule Deer on the trail—a great sight!  I have only seen deer at Mission Trails once before and that was after the Cedar fires of 2003.

It was on my way back from North Mt. Fortuna that I spotted the trio of deer. They were not as skittish as I thought they might be and I was able to watch them and take photos for at least three or four minutes.


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JANUARY HAPPENINGS AT EAST COUNTY PARKS

January 15, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego County Parks have many activities scheduled throughout the month of January—including everything from ranger-led hikes to star parties.  Scroll down for activities in our inland regions, or visit www.sdparks.org for a full listing.


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

January 2, 2013--(San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

 EAST COUNTY

SAN DIEGO REGION

STATE

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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