BY MELANIE JIMENEZ
REFLECTIONS HEAD
One of the most productive things I’ve done this quarantine was increase the number of hours I spend hiking. I was a regular hiker prior to this—I would go once or twice a month with my parents and my brother after school or during the weekend. Hiking, to me, is one of the best ways to exercise. You are able to immerse yourself in nature, be away from the noisy cities and freeways, and have some time to yourself. I started hiking at least once a week as soon as quarantine started.
Quarantine gave me the chance to see hiking spots during various times of the day.
Before, I would have to hike strictly at 5:00 PM. It would give me enough time to explore the trail a little bit, hopefully get to the end or my chosen destination, and then hike back to the car and make the drive back home. If I timed it right, I would get an adequate amount of sleep for the next school day.
I got used to the same sky while hiking; always a setting sun. It was a routine to end my day. I could say goodbye to the sun from high atop a mountain peak.
But this COVID-19 outbreak gave me more free time; and thus, more time during the day to go hiking. I could wake up early and hike against the backdrop of the rising sun. I could endure the midday heat and hike at noon. I could stay up horribly late and hike under the shooting stars.
It was an eye-opener. I had never even thought of how different the forests and mountains could look at different times of the day.
So while we’re all still locked out of movie theatres and theme parks, I think it’s time we reconnect with nature and spend some time alone. Here are some of the local San Diego hiking spots I’ve come to love over the past few weeks:
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve Trail
12020 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92129
Open from 8 AM - sunset daily
This trail features a waterfall and a 7.4 mile loop. This is a beginner trail (don’t worry, the waterfall is not 7.4 miles from the parking lot). It can get a little muddy after it rains, but there is really no downside to this trail.
This trail looks best at sunset, when the sky is a vibrant vermillion and the trees begin to darken. The hike is almost entirely flat, with a few easy hills here and there. I recommend starting about 45 minutes to an hour before sunset, so you can arrive at the waterfall with just enough time to see the water reflect the sky. It’s truly a breathtaking sight.
You might end up hiking back in the dark if you stay too long (as I’ve accidentally done a few times) but don’t worry! It is very difficult to get lost on this trail, as the path is very clear and straightforward.
Hollenbeck Canyon Trail and Loop
1800-, 1898 Honey Springs Rd, Jamul, CA 91935
Opens at 8 AM
There are multiple trails that branch off from one another. One is a difficult loop that is more than 10 miles. The other is a moderate 4 mile trail that crosses the creek multiple times. I didn’t hike the whole four miles, as it was getting relatively late. You technically need a permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. There are signs at the parking lot that tell you how to get them. If you are under a certain age, you do not have to buy one. But during quarantine, no one’s really checking.
This trail is gorgeous just after midday. I recommend starting between 2 PM to 3 PM (if you’re taking the moderate trail). The trees arch over the latter parts of the trail and provide ample shade from the sweltering sun. If you’re lucky, and find that sweet spot after a rain when the ground is no longer muddy but the creek is still swollen with water, you’ll have lots of fun crossing hastily-made bridges of cut-down branches and stones.
When I first went on this trail, I was walking the final stretch just as the sun was meeting the horizon. There’s a wide grass field and a few mountains right around the parking lot. The sun made the grass glisten, and a gentle breeze carried the smell of sage and something inherently fresh through the air. The sky was a gentle golden color, and the sun’s rays were gentle enough to peer at. I did so with wonder in my eyes, praising the magnificent finale to the day, which ended in a supernova of colors.
Horseshoe Mountain Trail
Proctor Valley Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91914 (not an exact address)
Like Hollenbeck, there are multiple trails you can take. To date, I have taken three different trails. One connects to the western shore of the Upper Otay Reservoir, and you can walk along the bank of the lake. Another is a very lush and grassy path through a field. Another takes you around a mountain, through a creek, and connects to the eastern bank of the Upper Otay Reservoir. The trail I have not taken yet (although I plan to in the near future) actually takes you up one of the mountains.
I think my favorite time to hike this is in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon, when the sun is 45 degrees from the horizon. The light reflects beautifully off the lake and the wildlife. The colors here are gorgeous, and each trail gives you a completely different experience. If you live in this area, you can go to the same place five times, take five different trails, and have completely different experiences.
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