Hike in San Diego County, California

We'll be hiking roughly 2.5 miles along the south shore of San Elijo Lagoon from the N. Rios Trailhead to the La Orilla Trailhead on El Camino Real, and back by the same route (or nearly the same route). This is an easy coastal hike for a hot day. The lagoon attracts lots of birds. We've hiked there before, most recently in 2006.

For more information, check the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy Web site. A map of the hike has been posted at www.efgh.com/maps/sanelijohike.gif.

We'll start at the north end of Rios Ave. in Solana Beach. (Thomas 1167 E6, N 33^o 0.23' W 117^o 16.35').

SUGGESTED ROUTE FROM SAN DIEGO: Take north to Solana Beach and exit at Lomas Santa Fe Dr. Go west about 0.8 miles and turn right on Rios Ave. Go north about 0.8 miles to the end of the road. Park along the edge of the road.

This hike has been (or will be) cross-posted to the Outdoors Club Web site.

The nominal starting time is 10:00 AM. I will be at the parking area by 9:30, and at 10:15 we will hit the trail. We should return to the parking area between 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM.

Call 858-675-8706 for the latest weather information or check your favorite weather page on the Internet. (I like www.accuweather.com.) Wear good hiking shoes or boots and suitable clothing and take lunch, water and sun protection. Take a camera if you wish. Call or send E-mail if you have questions.

RAIN? Heavy rain will cancel the hike. If there is only a little rain, we may still hike. In doubtful cases, I will wait at the trailhead. You must decide whether the weather is tolerable and take appropriate protective clothing. If anyone else shows up, we will hike.

CONTACT:

• Philip Erdelsky
• home 619-282-8611
• cell 619-866-8512
• e-mail: pje@efgh.com

Cell phone service is available in this area, but there may be a few dead spots.

Note: We haven't had serious injuries on our hikes, but the insanity of current liability decisions prompts the following: These hikes are not officially sponsored by any group or individual. No one assumes liability for anyone else. So don't tease the rattlesnakes and don't drink from the lagoon!

SUGGESTION: Check this page a few days before the hike for any last-minute instructions.

-- Philip J. Erdelsky

The July Hike - Lake Miramar

We started with six hikers, and two others caught up with us along the way.

It was a nice day, not as hot as anticipated. (July has been unusually cool, except for one short heat wave.)

It was such a nice day that parking was a bit of a problem. At times, both the main parking area and the overflow lot were full.

We returned to the parking area about 12:30 PM. Three of us went to the Cold Stone Creamery in Mira Mesa for post-hike refreshment.

-- Philip J. Erdelsky

Photographs from previous hikes.

List of previous hikes.

Rehydration drink.

Topographic maps from previous hikes, when available, will be archived on the Maps page.

Scanned topographic maps for San Diego, Orange, Imperial and Riverside Counties are available on CD-ROM by request, or by visiting www.efghmaps.com. These are public domain images in GIF format with no restrictions on use. E-mail the Webmaster for details.

Aerial photographs, which are sometimes helpful to hikers, can be downloaded from Microsoft Research Maps (formerly TerraServer 6.0).

A great deal of information about the Fallbrook area, including a list of hikes in the area, is available on Tom Chester's Web site at www.tchester.org.

Notes

1. These hikes have been held monthly (with a very few cancellations due to weather or other reasons) since January 10, 1987. I have been leading the hikes since March 1993.
2. Each hike is usually held on the last Saturday of the month. However, the hike is occasionally moved to another Saturday to avoid conflicts.
3. Although each hike is listed on the Web site of the San Diego Libertarian Party, it is not a Libertarian Party event. Independents and members of other political parties are welcome.
4. These hikes are recreational, not athletic.
5. We hike only on established trails, mostly in parks, national forests, and nature preserves.
6. Minors may participate only with the permission of a parent or legal guardian. Most of the hikes are not suitable for small children.
7. No reservation or prior notice is required. If you want to hike, just show up at the trailhead on time.

-- Philip J. Erdelsky