Category: Winter Hikes

Coyote Peak in Anza Borrego

@serafinahikes

I drove into Borrego Springs and I made a right through the center of town. I drove around the traffic circle and noticed a farmers market. From here, I drove straight out into what feels like the middle of nowhere. Rego Springs that's one of those places where you feel like you're getting away from it all every sense of the word. Very few stores, homes, or anything here, yet it still hangs on somehow I personally like this little town a lot. I continued onto Sultan seaway. I could see the coyote peak off in the distance illuminated by the morning sun. I wasn't expecting to see an actual coyote, driving up the road to Coyote Canyon. I headed up Rockhouse Canyon Rd. and parked in what looked like a small turnaround, next to a bush. It would be a 6.2 mile hike to Coyote Peak, and there was no trail.

Ontario Peak in Winter

@serafinahikes

Hiking to Ontario Peak in December is unusual for me. I don’t typically hike to peaks above 7000 feet during the dead of winter. Not only can it be hazardous to hike when there is ice and snow, I don’t have a vehicle that does well on roads during these conditions in the mountains, so I don't go. It had been an unusual winter so far, with fall and spring coming simultaneously. The fall leaves were turning golden just as fresh spring grass was emerging in December. Now in January, the wildflowers were emerging, first in the desert, and now in the coastal foothills. Amid all this unseasonal weather, were a series of atmospheric rivers which had served to re-charge the reservoirs, ensuring a fresh supply of water for Southern Californians, causing rivers and waterfalls to flow abundantly, while simultaneously dusting the highest peaks of the LA mountains above 7000 feet in a generous blanket of snow.

2 Peaks in a day: El Cajon Mountain and El Capitan

@serafinahikes

My hike to El Cajon Mountain (ECM summit) and El Capitan, was a long time coming. I had wanted to hike to these two San Diego foothill peaks for a couple of years. I was waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. The weather and conditions were right, it was the right season, and I was finally feeling up for the challenge, fitness wise.

Mill Peak and Exploration Trail

@serafinahikes

There are a few peaks in the area around Lake Arrowhead, and one of these, Mill Peak, sits at 6657 feet, towering over San Bernardino below. It is located between the small mountain enclaves of Arrowbear Lake and Running Springs. After driving up SR-330, past fire charred hillsides, I eventually made a turn onto Hilltop Blvd. I would park at the trailhead for both Mill Peak and Exploration Trail, located just past the Deer Lick Fire Station, along Keller Peak Rd. I started hiking rather late, around 11 am.

Stonewall Peak and Cuyamaca Rancho in Fall

@serafinahikes

So this would be my second hike in this beautiful historic wilderness park, and former rancho, with habitation dating back over 9,000 years. It was the home of the Kumeyaay tribe, and seven villages were located here. It would be my second time hiking here. I was coming on a busy weekend in fall. I drove up Hwy-79 and parked at Trout Pond trailhead, not noticing any indication of a need to display a parking pass here. There were about 5 cars parked here, and across the road. I exited my car and was just in awe of the fall colors. It had been unknown to me in planning this hike that the fall colors would be at their peak. I began hiking along the Marty Minshall Trail, heading towards the forest, which was glowing in shades of bright yellow.