Mission Trails Regional Park - San Diego River Crossing

Mission Trails Regional Park - San Diego River Crossing trail is fun, but there is a chance you will get a foot wet depending how much rain there has been. The rocks and logs are lined up so hopefully you can make it across.

Black Mountain Hike San Diego

The Black Mountain Open Space Park is a large park with plenty of hiking opportunities. The mountain gets its name from the Black Sage, which make it look darker than the surrounding area, you can see this on Google Maps.

I parked at the Hilltop Community Park and went up the most popular Nighthawk Trail to the top of Black Mountain (which at 1,554 feet includes a bunch of antennae), the hike is around 4 miles round trip. I found Black Mountain not as good as most of the Mission Trails Peaks or Iron Mountain. The path was mostly dirt and large pointy rocks, mountain biking is fairly popular. On the plus side the facilities are generally better.

Fun fact, there is an old abandoned arsenic mine in the area. Also included below is the Black Mountain Trail Map I found.

Cholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree National Park

Cholla Cactus Garden Self-Guiding Nature Trail flier, Joshua Tree National Park

Iron Mountain Hike, Poway, CA

Iron mountain is a popular hike in Poway, CA the Iron Mountain trailhead is just south of the intersection of Poway Road and CA - 67. The location shows up in maps as Iron Mountain Trailhead. The first mile or so is fire road, before it starts going up the mountain as a trail, which is about 5-6 miles and moderate work out for a morning hike. I rate this hike better than Black mountain, Cowles, and Kwaay Paay. The Iron Mountain Trail Map is below, I scanned it from the handout at the trailhead.

Torrey Pines at Golden Hour

Just a few pictures from Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Park in the south beach lot and walk up the hill.