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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 above.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
January 1, 2013 - First Day Hike was cancelled due to weather.
December 30, 2012 (San Diego) – Palomar Mountain State Park’s First Day Hike to welcome the New Year is January 1 at 9 a.m. The hike will begin at the Doane Pond parking lot and start out on the heavily canopied Doane Valley Trail heading towards the meadows of French Valley.
October 4, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The cooler weather is beginning to slowly settle in as we are now into Fall. This is a great time for many of us to start those outdoor activities that we avoided during the summer heat. We have plenty of great spots to hike and enjoy the scenery here in East County (and surrounding area).
September 9, 2012 (San Diego) -- East County Parks are hosting an abundance of events throughout the month of September. There’s something for everyone, both young and old. Below is a sampling of what’s available. Visit www.sdparks.org for all events.
Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna, East County Magazine “In-House” Fire Chief
July 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--We are in our summer “monsoon season” which can quickly and unexpectedly bring flash floods.More people lose their LIVES in floods than in any other weather-related event. 80% of flood deaths occur in vehicles, and most happen when drivers make a single, fatal mistake - trying to navigate through flood waters.
June 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) --Nestled in the mountains of Descanso within Cleveland National Forest, Camp Oliver offers all children an outdoor experience and has been in operation since 1949, when Lawrence and Mary Oliver donated a portion of their ranch along the Sweetwater River to the Sisters of Social Service.
June 4, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- As springtime calls people and snakes alike to the outdoors, encounters with snakes become inevitable. California has a variety of snakes, most of which are benign. The exception is California’s only native venomous snake - the rattlesnake.
Hikes and Cleanups to be Held at County Parks Around the Region
June 1, 2012 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation is inviting everyone to “live well” and celebrate National Trails Day Saturday, June 2 by hiking through or helping to clean and restore trails in County parks.
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 
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.
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:
By Greg Dunne
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 
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:
January 1, 2013 - First Day Hike was cancelled due to weather.
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
September 9, 2012 (San Diego) -- East County Parks are hosting an abundance of events throughout the month of September. There’s something for everyone, both young and old. Below is a sampling of what’s available. Visit 
Hikes and Cleanups to be Held at County Parks Around the Region
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