Friday, March 25, 2011

Anza Borrego March '11

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park


March 24, 2011



March is certainly the time to visit the desert and spot the beautiful flowers that bloom in the spring.

We were not disappointed, and the day proved to be perfect as the weather was sunny around 70 degrees.



Three of us, M.J., Enza, and Carol left from Temecula around 9:30 and met Carrie and Karen who left

from Poway area to meet up with us around 11:00. We connected at the visitor center in the park.



We started out on the Hellhole Canyon Trail which is about 6 miles round trip. We hiked until around 12:45 or so

and then returned around 2:30. It is a moderately difficult trail with slight incline upward, but we were all up to it.

Close to the end of the trail, we reached an area of boulders with some running water forming "mini- waterfalls".

Karen, M.J. and Carrie stopped at this point as the rocks were pretty daunting. We ate some fruits and nuts and

waited for Enza and Carol to explore just a little further beyond the boulders. They trekked out a bit more,

pretty much the same with more boulders and running streams.



Awesome views of the desert flowers along the trail. Karen took some great pics with her camera.

There were a variety of plants and flowers to see; an abundance of ocotillo plants were tall and very much in bloom along

with a large variety of cactii. We also got to see a huge jackrabbit running through the desert floor. On the way to and

from the desert a carpet of yellow and purple flowers could be seen from the car window. It sure feels like spring is here!



Great day! Karen and Carrie headed back to San Diego and M.J., Carol and Enza headed toward Temecula.

We Temeculans finished the day with happy hour at Harry's in Temecula.







Saturday, February 12, 2011

Dripping Springs- Feb. 2011

Hike: Dripping Springs, Feb. 11, 2011


This is a fabulous trail! It is only about 4 miles east of Temecula going eastward on 79 South.

We parked in the campground parking lot. A $5 Forest Adventure pass is needed. These can be

purchased ahead of time at any sport store or can be purchased at the parking lot.


It was a very quiet peaceful day as not too many others on the trail; we basically had it all to ourselves.

There were 11 of us: M.J., Enza, Sandi, Melinda, Annette, Mark, Carol, Steve, Ray, Kyle and their daughter, Alixis.


Trail is a moderate incline so not too hard at all. We crossed over a small stream to begin the trail.

Trail is very easy to follow and heads upward toward beautiful vistas of the Temecula Valley. We could

see several of the snow capped mountains toward the north and the east, orange groves and Vail Lake.

Beautiful views that reminded some of us of southern Italy. It was a picture perfect day with the sun

shining brightly and the temp around 75 degrees.


The scrub oaks were blooming small white flowers and there were many of them lining our trail.

The trail is real easy to follow and according to the map, leads all the way to Palomar Mt.


We started around 1:00 and returned at 3:45. Our day concluded with Happy Hour at P.F. Changs

in Temecula. Great day and Great company.


Next Hike: March, Desert Flowers Watch for emails.
M.J.


A great day...........


                                   
San Jacento and San Gorgonio in the background.............

 Vail Lake





 Temecula in the distance........

more water to cross!!..................

Saturday, January 15, 2011

January 14, 2011- Tenaja Falls Hike





Absolutely terrific hike! There were eleven of us: MJ. Enza, Melinda, Annette, Sandi, Carrie,

Jan, Carol, Mark, Ray, and Chelle. We started at M.J.'s at 12:30 and took Clinton Keith Rd.

going westward beyond the Santa Rosa Plateau. We took a right on Tenaja Road and followed

it for several miles, and then took a right at Cleveland National Forest Road. We followed this all the

way to the trailhead. The road becomes a single lane and very curvy for about 4 miles, but we stayed the

course to the trailhead. We started hiking around 1:45 and returned just before dark around 4:15. The trail

does extend quite a ways toward the Ortega Highway, but we did want to get back before dark.



It was a perfect day with temps around 78 degrees and a cool breeze coming from the west.

We set out on the trail heading toward the falls. We could hear the sound of running water in the

distance. It was necessary for us to cross a wide stream over rocks and boulders! Balance was a real challenge,

but a rope and stick poles helped and when that did not, oh, well, stepping right into the water was just fine for

some of us. Water was nice and warm, so wet feet did not present a problem. We really enjoyed the

challenge of crossing the streams.



The trail was absolutely beautiful as it was covered with a variety of trees, bushes and plants. We were

very lucky to have Chelle with us on this hike. She is a docent for the Santa Rosa Plateau and really knows her

wild foliage. We saw beautiful Red Berry Trees, Mountain Berry Trees and White Sage bushes.

Chelle shared with us how the Indians put to use many of the herbs and bushes found out here in the

Cleveland National Forest. She said the Indians used White Sage to gain endurance for fighting, working, etc

It was perhaps their way of using steroids, but sounded much healthier. Anyway, we continued on and made it

to the top of the falls. They were really flowing as we have had quite a lot of rain. We looked downward

and could see teenagers playing on the boulders located within the falls. They are really a brave group. Most of us felt we liked

it nice and safe on the top landing, although Enza said she wants to come back and try climbing on the waterfall boulders.

She is daring!



We absolutely loved this hike. Dinner was also terrific as we returned to M.J.'s We shared sushi, shrimp and

scallop kabobs, rice, spinich bean casserole, green tossed salad, brownies for dessert and lots of good wine.

It's so great to have such a nice group of people to share the beautiful outdoors, great food and wonderful company!
















Sunday, November 21, 2010

November 19, 2010 Palomar Observatory Hike

There were four of us, M.J. Karen, Sandy and Richard. We met at 79 Pala/Oceanside Exit at 9:00a.m. and then started out up the mountain toward Palomar. The ride was quite easy, hardly no traffic. We arrived around 10:00.  First, we explored the Observatory area and then we found the hike trail at the front entrance of the parking lot. Very nice trail with awesome views of the Pauma Valley. Trees are definitely becoming very fall like as seen in our pictures. The trail is beautiful and very easy to follow. Acorns were dropping from the trees, and a few slippery spots due to the leaves on the ground, but overall very easy trail. The way back up hill was perhaps the most challenging part of hike, but not a problem at all for us. We started on the trail around 10:20 and returned around 1:00 p.m. It is a total of about 4 miles, 2 in and 2 out. The air was warm (around 60 degrees) perfect for hiking and the sky was blue. We were surprised to see cloudy conditions as we were leaving the mountain. After the hike, we ate at Mother's Kitchen (the only restaurant in Palomar). Very good vegetarian burger, and the pea soup tasted very homemade. Great hike.




Friday, October 1, 2010

Point Loma

There were five of us: M.J., Enza, Carol, Jan and Carrie. Temeculans met at Carrie's and Jan drove to Point Loma. We are true hikers as thunderstorms raged throughout San Diego and Point Loma was not spared. We looked like "drowned rats" as large rain drops soaked us.We did not mind in the least, as the coolness felt so good after a long hot summer. Also, the beauty of the hike and good company made it all worth it.

The views are spectacular! We could see all of downtown, Coronado Bridge, South Bay and lots of Pacific Ocean. The Bayside Trail is very easy; it is about 2.5 miles round trip. We drove down to the tide pools (not far) and walked all over the cliffs there. It was high tide so we did not see the pools in action, but the waves were crashing in on the cliffs and this was a sight to see. The rock formations are also breathtaking. We wished we were anthropologists so we could know the story behind each layer of rock formation. It is quite interesting to see.





We all had broiled scallops at Mitch's Seafood Rest. on Scott Street. This was a treat. Upon leaving the
restaurant, there was a magnificent rainbow in the sky. Perfect ending to a perfect day


Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Torrey Pines

Torrey Pines, August 5, 2010

It was a stupendous day on the coast; this is the coolest summer, we believe, in the last 70 years.

Temp was somewhere in the low 80's and the cool ocean breeze was delightful.

 The views of the ocean were breathtaking. The ocean appeared more green than blue for some reason.

Could it be the cooler waters, not sure, but delightful to see.

There were 5 of us; small group but just as fun. On this trek, M.J. Carrie, Mark, Carol and Jan.

Several people wanted to join us but they were travelling other parts of the U.S. We will

catch them next round.

The trails are easy to follow and very well marked. We parked up the hill from the parking

lot (thanks to Carrie for parking lot pass); Torrey charges $8 to park. We proceeded up the
hill and took the first trail. Came around and began on the upper trail which we proceeded to

follow all the way down to the ocean. We then walked along the ocean, luckily low tide so

we were able to head northward. The cliffs were outstanding with colors of red, green

and beige. The erosion has done its work on these cliffs and left the most interesting

configurations any of us has ever seen.
We started at around 2:00 and finished around 4:15. All of us headed to Carrie's house for

dinner. Everyone contributed with food and wine and dinner was great. Always seems to

taste so much better after hiking. The menu consisted of Carrie's Rachel Ray's recipe, chicken with

basal and garlic butter, MJ's eggplant lasagna, Carol and Mark's tossed green salad and Jan closing it up

with cheese cake for dessert. Great day, great hike, great friends and great food!



Next hike will be September 30 (mark your calendars); Point Loma, Cabrillo Park.

I will be researching the trail and good places to eat lunch; earlier hike meeting

around 10:00a.m. Let us know if you know about this trail: length, good spot to meet,

restaurants, etc. Also, feel free to invite friends to join, the more the merrier.