Jerry Schad - Afoot & Afield: San Diego County: 282 Spectacular Outings Along the Coast, Foothills, Mountains, and Desert

Afoot & Afield San Diego County: 282 Spectacular Outings Along the Coast, Foothills, Mountains, and Desert

1st edition 1986

2nd edition 1992

3rd edition 1998

4th edition 2007

5th edition 2017

Copyright 1986, 1992, 1998, and 2007 by Jerry Schad (19492011); 2017 by Jerry Schad and Scott Turner

Cover photos copyright Jerry Schad (top) and Scott Turner (bottom, left and right, and back)

Interior photos: Scott Turner, unless otherwise noted

Maps: Scott Turner and Scott McGrew

Cover and book design: Andreas Schueller and Larry B. Van Dyke

Manufactured in the United States of America

Distributed by Publishers Group West

Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN: 978-0-89997-801-7; eISBN: 978-0-89997-802-4

Published by: WILDERNESS PRESS

An imprint of AdventureKEEN

2204 First Ave. S, Ste. 102

Birmingham, AL 35233

800-443-7227; FAX 205-326-1012

wildernesspress.com

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Front cover photos, clockwise from top: Jerry Schad at the summit of Hot Springs Mountain ()

Back cover photo: Oak Canyon Trail ()

Frontispiece: Slot canyon near the Calcite Mine ()

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used in reviews.

SAFETY NOTICE: Although Wilderness Press and the author have made every attempt to ensure that the information in this book is accurate at press time, they are not responsible for any loss, damage, injury, or inconvenience that may occur to anyone while using this book. You are responsible for your own safety and health while in the wilderness. The fact that a trail is described in this book does not mean that it will be safe for you. Be aware that trail conditions can change from day to day. Always check local conditions and know your own limitations.

Acknowledgments

F rom the moment I started this revision and update, every person I crossed paths with has expressed enthusiasm, encouragement, and excitement regarding the endeavor. I would require a separate volume and a much better memory to thank all of you. As with all works of this magnitude, this book is not the product of, in this case, two men. It is the cumulative product of the collaboration and expertise of many.

Three individuals deserve special recognition and gratitude for the role they played in creating this edition. Thank you, Casey Schreiner, for giving me the opportunity to develop my writing skills at Modern Hiker. Thank you, Don Endicott, for your generosity in sharing your seemingly infinite knowledge, as well as your company on the trail. Thank you to my wife, Kelly Peep Turner, for your enthusiasm, support, and willingness to let me disappear into the wilderness alone for days on end. Without the three of you, this book would not have happened.

I also wish to thank the following people, in alphabetical order by first name, for their generosity with their time, talent, knowledge, and companionship: Alexander Kunz, Alexandra DeGuzman, Amber Craig, Ashley Kvitek, Bjorn Fredrickson, Brent Boyd, Caaarrrrl?, Caffeine, Cara Stafford, Cheeky the cat, Chris Peregrin, Chris Rogowski, Chris Sanda, Chuck Tucker, Crystal Bilotta, David Bell, David Money Harris, David Norgard, Derek Loranger, Dingleberry the cat, Don Raether, Dyanna Denney, Gina Washington, ibuprofen, James Flores, Jameson Rohrer, Jamie Gold, Jaime Lee Purinton, Jarrid Wong, Jason Sudo, Jenn Bright, Jessica Geiszler, Jill Terp, John Graham, John Zarem, Karen Peart, Kathy Dice, Kelly Turner, Kim Long Le, Kyle Kuns, Laura Vasquez, Lee Hamm, Lisa Turner, Maria Martin, Maryanne Vancio, Mike Verderber, Monique Vargas, Oleksandr Shamray, Paige Rogowski, Pamela Zoolalian, Paul Taylor, Percy Preswalla, Phil Pryde, Richard Halsey, Robert Hunt, Robin Connors, Sarah Kranz, Scottie Nguyen, Shawn Butler, Shawnte Sallabert, Sicco Rood, Slader Buck, Spencer Bleadorn, Steve Bier, Tara Kizer, Taylor Corbin, Tessara Anchales, and Tony Cohen.

Special thanks to the folks at Wilderness Press, especially Tim Jackson for patiently handling my questions and offering encouragement and constructive criticism when needed. The following individuals are responsible for the editing and production of this volume, and they deserve my gratitude as well: Amber Kaye Henderson, Kerry Smith, Rebecca Henderson, and Frances Lennie. And above all, thank you to Jerry Schad for opening the door to a lifelong love affair with San Diego Countys natural splendor, not just for me, but for the thousands of people who have found their way onto backcountry trails through your words and images.

Scott Turner
Vista, California

Ancient cedar ()

Contents

INTRODUCTION

APPENDIXES

Preface

S an Diego Countys broad spectrum of outdoor opportunities spans beaches and coastal canyons; chaparral-clothed mountains with expansive views; gentle, coniferlined meadows with trickling streams and tranquil ponds; waterfalls cascading into secluded grottoes; and a vast expanse of desert that hides spectacular secrets within its rugged and austere folds.

This fifth volume of Afoot & Afield San Diego County features trip descriptions throughout the entire range of the countys open spaces. The routes presented in this guide range in length and difficulty from short strolls through pockets of preserved habitat within the countys urban centers to strenuous overnight routes through some of the countys loneliest locales. Within this spectrum of hikes encompassing 1,427 miles of on- and off-trail hiking, 262,850 feet of elevation gain, and 276,600 feet of elevation loss, you will find something to keep hikers of all stripes busy.

This volume is built on the decades of hiking expertise bestowed by the late Jerry Schad. In describing the purpose of his efforts, he stated, By publishing this book, I hoped to bring into sharp focus almost every hike worth taking in the public lands of this county. After 30-plus years and four previous volumes covering hundreds of distinctive hikes, Jerry Schads efforts have left us with an encyclopedic legacy documenting the countys myriad natural features.

This fifth edition continues that legacy by adding new routes, providing updated information, offering variations to existing routes where possible, and including a new table with encapsulated information on each hike for easy reference. In addition to a full revision and update, I have made every effort to preserve Jerrys original text, with updated information and directions often being the only alterations.