Great hike. End of the line is a waterfall and grotto. It didn't disappoint. Pretty challenging…read moregetting there. A combination of flat desert hiking but then with rock scrambling.

Surprisingly nice hike with a tougher end-game to reach the "waterfall"…read more My biggest gripe with this trail isn't the $10 fee. It's the fact that this trail is poorly marked with wrong signage and no clear trail markers to get to the actual waterfall. There's also little to no internet serive here to double check. Tips - The trail to the waterfall starts behind the pay kiosk. No marking that this it the trail to the falls. The trail (little surprise trail) that's next to the bathroom isn't marked either. - About a mile or so into the hike you'll see a sign with an arrow pointing towards the hill.. IGNORE this sign and stay on the main trail. - The waterfall is basically at the third Oasis. Navigating through the Oases is like a labyrinth of different paths. Some are dangerous, some are easy, and some are dead ends. It's like a choose your own adventure book from the 80's and 90's. - Seeing a flowing waterfall is likely rare. Maybe early spring? - Best hiking is during the winter months or during a superbloom..

If you are a San Diego hiker and haven't done this hike- WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???…read more And for those of you who see these photos and think damn I need to go do that, please be aware of the temperature because it is dangerously hot down there at lower temperatures than in other areas. The hike goes down into a canyon and the heat settles down there. Even if it's not as hot as you think coming up can be extremely dangerous. Every year I hear about somebody dying from heat stroke on that hike so don't take it lightly. I always check the weather on the actual trail using the AllTrails app. I saw that the weather out there was max 65° that day and I was like hell yeah. The hike really isn't that difficult, 3 miles down and then 3 miles back up. Lots of nice switchbacks, and there are a few sun shelters for shade. The views are gorgeous all along the trail. I've done this hike, probably 20 times over the years. It's the best in the spring and in the fall. In the winter it's way too cold. The reward for this hike is the gorgeous rock bowl and waterfall that the locals call Devils Punchbowl. This past Thursday when we did this hike, there were a lot of young folks at the Punchbowl when we got there. Some of the guys were climbing up and jumping into the water. I would not recommend it, even if the waterfall is still flowing that water is not safe to swim in. In the fall, the waterfall doesn't flow anymore after being dried out over the brutal summer, but the trees at the bottom of the canyon turn a beautiful gold color. One of the few places in San Diego you can actually experience fall.

Having lived in San Diego for so long, I honestly don't know why it took me this long to do this…read morehike. I finally got the permit online (definitely download it before you arrive since service can be spotty) and decided to go for it. I went in early May and started the trail around 8am, which turned out to be a great decision. The trail was practically empty at that time, and the downhill views were absolutely beautiful. I even saw two rattlesnakes before 9am, so definitely stay alert while hiking. At several points I had to remind myself I was still in San Diego and not somewhere in a huge national park. Once I got near the bottom, I did lose track of the trail a little and it was SOS, so having the AllTrails map downloaded beforehand was really helpful. It took me a little over an hour to reach the waterfall, and there were only two other people there at the time, which made it feel really peaceful and private. The water felt AMAZING after the hike down. There were so many fish in the water, and the whole area was honestly so pretty. By the time I started heading back around 10am, I noticed a lot more people arriving at the falls. The hike back up wasn't terrible, but the sun definitely makes it much harder on the return. I was very happy to make it back to the parking lot by around 11:30am. I would definitely bring lots of water, sunscreen, and some snacks.

One of the highlights of my trip to Julian! Loved seeing…read morethe cows peacefully grazing about 15 minutes into our hike. The path was not paved but still easily hiked as it was pretty level. The scenery was breathtaking with hills, trees, and the cows!! We even saw some horses by the entrance

This review is for the West Vista Loop which was a ~4.2 mile round trip that took ~2 hours to…read morecomplete. This was a relaxing and peaceful hike with cows. There were some nice open views throughout the trail. The first mile or so was a steep incline before reaching the loop. A little muddy in some areas. Free parking on the side of the road. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/3nMnKb84G6M

We tackled Volcan Mountain Trail with an eight-year-old, so we didn't make it the full way but it…read morewas such a nice experience. We also brought along our dog as it is a dog friendly trail as long as your dog is on a leash. The trail starts out pretty steep, but it's well-marked with clear paths throughout. One thing I really loved was all the signage explaining local plant life and animal tracks so it made the hike feel educational and engaging. My kiddo was really into looking at the different animal paw prints. This trail is great for hiking enthusiasts and beginners alike but just know your limits and pace yourself if you're newer to hiking. I would definitely say if it's sunny to make sure you bring plenty of water with you, but there are a lot of shady spots on this trail so that is a nice change from the hikes that are closer to coastal San Diego.

It's a good hike to pair with a trip to Julian. My husband and I picked up sandwiches in town for a…read morepicnic on the trail. Parked next to the road and knew we were in the right place because of all the other cars. We made our hike a loop as we went up the mountain, taking the 5 Oaks Trail, and then came down using the Vulcan Mountain preserve trail. The 5 Oaks Trail has more of a view. There are a few seats to stop, sit (catch your breath) and enjoy the view. Sadly, we haven't had rain so it wasn't as green as I'm sure it would be on a normal January. Nevertheless, a great hike to work off all the apple pie you eat in Julian.

Old Banner Toll Road may be one of my favorite hiking trails of all time! One of the reasons being…read morehow secluded that hike was. Even though we came during MLK weekend, we only passed two small groups of people on the four mile hike. I loved that trail was not maintained like state parks and instead truly gave you the feel of a actual hike through the wilderness. I really enjoyed the abandoned mining machinery! It is hard to find any history left untouched in California. In addition to the machinery, there are also mine openings and cars left stranded on the sides of the hill. I felt like a kid again exploring all the vehicles and mines! The trail-head is a little hard to find. Your best bet is to park in the cul-de-sac and walk down past the houses. It feels a little sketchy, but definitely worth while! If you enjoy hiking and exploring, you must check out Old Banner Toll Road!

Great Hike near Julian. A bit rocky and overgrown, but does not take away from the great views and…read moredecent workout. We turned left at the first fork and found one of the mines. Not the mine pictures in another review. We went in quite a way but did not find the end. Park just before entering the private road. Then walk down the private road and you will find the trailhead. See my picture

One of my favorite hikes in San Diego county- this one has it all!!! Perfect length, challenging…read morebut not TOO hard and the scenery OMG. I've included photos in my review from several trips to Eagle Rock over the years. You start out in a lovely shaded area by a stream, most of the incline is through a chaparral forest with manzanitas and blooming cactus, the last bit is a rolling prairie. The pinnacle of the hike is a huge rock formation that looks exactly like an eagle. I try to do this hike every year in the spring. Tons of flowers and gorgeous rolling grassy hills. This year we had a freakishly hot March and everything bloomed early and then got fried. It was still gorgeous though! We started early when it was still chilly and finished as the heat of the day was coming on. Be sure you keep an eye on the weather. It can get dangerously hot. I recommend a ton of water, hats and sunscreen. On the way home be sure to stop for Julian Pie in San Ysabel!

Did a little hike since my knee replacement surgery (3 months & counting), what an amazing trail,…read moreespecially since it's part of the Pacific Crest hiking trail, traveled by hikers from allover. I didn't get far enough to see the sculptured eagle rock, but will get there soon and post pictures soon! A gem in the back country of San Diego.

It's definitely a must do hike when you're visiting Anza borrego, Borrego springs or even Julian. I…read morewent here early May so it was extremely hot, even though I reached the trailhead around 9am. The drive to the parking lot was a little weird because after you get off the freeway, there is a dirt road for about 1.5-2 miles on which there were a lot of signs that said "no vehicles allowed" and "foot traffic only" so I wasn't sure if I should be driving. Once k got there, there were other cars parked too so my assumption is that those signs are applicable only during some seasons. The parking lot looks flat but you can see to trail once you start walking towards the canyon. The hike was really nice, it was definitely more of a walk rather than any uphills. It can get pretty hot so starting early in the summer can be advantageous.

We decided to visit the Slot Canyon during our Borrego Spring trip. Although it doesn't compare to…read morethe slot canyon views in Arizona or Utah, it was picturesque. The slots were fairly easy to navigate except for a few areas where you had to climb down or squeeze through narrow openings. You can also take the trail above the canyon which gives you panoramic views of the desert. There are 2 bathrooms but no sinks in the parking lot. Most cars can get to the parking lot but it's quite dusty. Come prepared with some water, snack, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. It's $10 per day to visit the park. It's an honor system where you fill out the form, drop off the cash in box, and leave the parking pass on your dashboard. The one negative and reason for removing a star is the poor signage on the trail and how to get into the slots. When we went, there were only 2 other families but the signs were not clear which direction to go into the canyon or even back to the parking lot so we ended up taking a much longer and harder route than needed.

My review is solely based on my hiking experience and not for the campground or other things here…read more I came here to summit Hot Springs Mountain as it's part of the San Diego Six Pack of Peaks challenge. Apparently it's the highest peak in San Diego as well. A fee of $10 is required. The trailhead is easy to find, just a little ways down after you pass the gate where the police vehicles are. The road is unpaved but is in fairly good condition, with no ruts or anything. Once you get to the restrooms the trailhead parking is to the left of it. There aren't really designated spots, you just need to park off of the road. The first 2 or so miles are in direct sunlight, and this is also where most of the elevation gain is. Once you get closer to the halfway point (around 2.4 miles) it's smooth sailing from there with just rolling hills and plateaus. You know you're almost there once you see the old lookout tower and reach the sign that points to the summit. Continue on this smaller trail and you'll reach the ladder and ropes to the summit. The summit can only fit a few people safely. I'm terrified of heights and sketchy things but still managed to do it. There are lots of bugs flying around on this trail. Other than that the trail is mainly a wide, well-maintained fire road. There's some forested areas you'll walk through, but nothing special. Good hike to get some elevation gain (2,200'+)! In total it took me 2 hours and 49 minutes (hiked up, ran down).

You need to pay $10 for parking, either online or at the booth. The attendant on 2/4/24 was very…read morefriendly and informative regarding the hike conditions. The hike itself it roughly 10 miles round trip. Once you are past the first 2 miles, steady up, you will enjoy views in all directions and a beautiful walk through a forest. Snow was about 1-3 inches and melting fast. Trail is in a great condition, well marked. The fire tower is one of the oldest one, needs work so think twice before climbing it. The peak is a huge boulder to the right after following narrow paths for few hundred feet. If you feel adventurous you can climb the ladder to the top. From there you will have a nice view of the tower and neighboring peaks. Took me about 4 hours to complete.

I always get really excited when I find a piece of the PCT lol! The PCT (or Pacific Crest Trail) is…read morepart of the coveted "Triple Crown of Hiking" title that very few hikers have achieved. The Triple Crown consists of the PCT, the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail - the three longest north-to-south trails in the US. And to earn the title, you must do all three in their entirety! Now I know I'll never achieve that - and I'm well aware I won't ever even achieve doing just one of these - but I still get giddy doing a piece of them! So far I've done pieces of the PCT and the Appalachian- so two down, one to go haha! The PCT is 2653 miles long and runs from just south of Campo, California next to the border with Mexico all the way up to a spot on the Canada-US border. It passes through 25 national forests and 7 national parks! You can find pieces of it all over SoCal - too many spots to name here but if you look it up on Wiki it lists them all! Some of the more notable locations are at places like Vasquez Rocks, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Crystal Lake, and Big Bear. But my personal fave is just past the Blue Ridge Trail in Wrightwood (pictured in all my photos). Once you complete the Blue Ridge Trail, you'll find the PCT just past the campground - keep on it for another 1 - 1.5 miles and BOOM - you're hit with some incredible views of the back of the San Gabriel Mountains and some of its more iconic peaks such as San Antonio Peak and Mount Baden-Powell. I highly recommend using AllTrails and download the trail map bc signal is spotty here and you'll need it bc the PCT isn't obvious even though you'll find the iconic signs for photo ops in some spots. It does add another 1 to 1.5 miles to the hike and another 300+ feet in elevation gain to the already 1000+ feet of the Blue Ridge Trail. But you'll be over 8100 feet in the air at the top with amazing views and even lots of birds and wildflowers in September!! You may even get snow as far as into late April! This part of the PCT crosses the Blue Ridge Truck Trail - so you can actually drive up to this spot but it's not paved and is rocky and very bumpy so be aware. The hiking trail is well maintained. And the campground at the top has vault toilets (but no potable water). If you tie it in with the Blue Ridge Trail, you're looking at a total of 3 miles in and an elevation gain of over 1380+ feet (one way) - so 6 miles total. But it makes for a great morning - gorgeous views, tons of birds, hardly any other hikers during the week, lots of peace and quiet! One of my fave trails in the area! If you do this route, I'd call it a moderate and somewhat technical hike - definitely not for beginners. If you do it in the snow, it's hard and very technical (I've done both). But if you drive up and just do this tiny part of the PCT by itself it's pretty easy.

Nice place to hike. Never made it to the top, its a 3 mile hike. Beautiful views. The trail is…read morekinda narrow, but i love hiking up there w my dog!

I was curious to see this trail-park, but didn't know the history till I read the board, (which I…read moreterribly forgot to take a full photo of). It memorializes 11 men that died while digging a fire line on steep canyon - three Forest Service firefighters, seven inmates firefighters & their correctional officer (from the Viejas Honor Camp (prison camp), died at approximately 8:00 PM (part of the blaze looped below their position and overran the crew) The fire, (which was started by arson on November 24, 1956), burned 43,611 acres before containment on the evening of November 28. This is from the National Forest Service Library website. It's has quite a few picnic tables, a couple grills by them but I personally wouldn't want to bbq out there. There are restrooms that are like porta pottys and a short trail (trails) but I didn't walk too far because of my knee. It's a beautiful, peaceful & scenic spot to go to if you live in the area or if you want to add to a pit stop while venturing out here. Main Street in Julian is down from here where you can grab a bite to eat at anyone of the restaurants/cafes.

A small picnic stop on the way up to Julian. We stopped by…read moreto check out the nature trail and its viewpoint of the Santa Ysabel valley. The small loop trail is only .5 miles and about 15 minutes of hiking. This is a great place to stop and stretch your legs, go to the restroom, and maybe have a picnic before heading up to Julian.. - Restrooms - Views - Parking lot