Author: Derek Honeycutt

A friend invited me to go on an adventure they were planning along Old Highway 80. I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into, but decided to jump right in and see what happened.

We started the day by driving out to the Desert View Tower just into Imperial County. On the drive in, once off of Interstate 8, the area became instantly interesting, with balanced rocks, rocks with bunny faces attached to them, and even a self-described UFO recovery and repair station. The tower itself, marked by signs of a historic landmark, was at the end of the road. We joked a little about the conditions that the tower could be closed under on any given day, such as heat over 120F and dust storms, but were happy to be there on a day it was open.

Admission fees were paid inside of the tower itself, where we met the many dogs and the caretaker of the tower. It was awesome to get such great, friendly service all the way out here, and we spent some time climbing to the top of the tower to take in the views.

Location: Indian Flats Campground, Caliente Wilderness area in Cleveland National Forest, near Warner Springs, CA; Combs Peak in Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Difficulty: Strenuous (Could be done in sections of Moderate to Difficult)
Hike Statistics: 27.2 miles, over 16,000ft of cumulative elevation change (over 8,000ft gain)
Conditions: Cold to Cool, Mixed Shade (40s-80)
Requirements: Adventure Pass if parked in Cleveland National Forest area, except Indian Flats which is a separate Fee Area; no requirements if parked in Anza Borrego Desert State Park section
Trailhead: Indian Flats Campground; 33.329945, -116.640359 Cleveland National Forest near Warner Springs, CA connection to Pacific Crest Trail near Caliente Wilderness area; 33.381567, -116.595134 Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Last Valley Road and Pacific Crest Trail junction near Combs Peak

Sierra Club 100 Peaks List: Combs, #001

GPX Track: Google Drive (Note: Accuracy Not Guaranteed)

Location: “Big” Black Mountain, Cleveland National Forest, near Ramona, CA
Difficulty: Strenuous (technically possible to make easier)
Hike Statistics: 14.5 miles, over 8,000ft of cumulative elevation change (over 4000ft gain)
Conditions: Comfortable, Mixed Shade (60s-80s per forecasts)
Requirements: May need Adventure Pass, deepending on parking location
Trailhead: 33.140460, -116.850113 ; on Pamo Road in Cleveland National Forest

Sierra Club 100 Peaks List: Black #1, #44

GPX Track: Google Drive (Note: Accuracy Not Guaranteed; Only includes hike described below)

Location: El Cajon Mountain, El Capitan Open Space Preserve, Lakeside, CA
Difficulty: Strenuous (Moderate to Difficult hikes technically possible)
Hike Statistics: 11.87 miles, over 10,500ft of cumulative elevation change (over 5200ft gain)
Conditions: Pre-dawn start. Temps ranging upper 60s at the start to 100 on return. Very sparse shade on return.
Preserve Hours: 7am to roughly sunset (closing time is posted). Some parking space along road for earlier starting times (recommended in hot conditions). Preserve is closed the entire month of August due to extreme heat.
Trailhead: 32.912545, -116.884734 ; off of Wildcat Canyon Road, across from Oak Oasis Open Space Preserve

Sierra Club 100 Peaks List: El Cajon, #89

GPX Track: Google Drive (Note: Accuracy Not Guaranteed; Only includes hike described below, does not include additional trail options)

Location: Foster Point, Mt Laguna, CA
Difficulty: Easy
Hike Statistics: 1.4-1.5 miles round trip; about 200ft elevation change
Conditions: Night, high 50s to low 60s; Clear sky, bright moon
Requirements: National Forest Adventure Pass (Cleveland National Forest) ; Required on car to park in the area
Trailhead: 32.889452, -116.441021
GPX Track: Google Drive (Note: Accuracy Not Guaranteed; Only includes attempted drawing of route via satellite images and was not actually taken from a GPS device in any way)

Location: Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve, Valley Center, CA
Difficulty: Easy to Difficult
Hike Statistics: 9.2 miles, 7320.54ft elevation change (3658.69ft gain)
Conditions: 90s to 100s, Mixed shade/no shade
Preserve Hours: Friday – Monday, 8am to Sunset. Preserved closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Closed entire month of August due to extreme heat.
Trailhead: 33.216444, -116.934028
GPX Track: Google Drive (Note: Accuracy Not Guaranteed ; Only includes hike described below, does not include additional trail options seen in image below)

On August 22, 2014, I drove down to San Diego. After staying with my parents for a night, they drove me the US/Mexico border south of Campo, California. At the Pacific Crest Trail trailhead, I began hiking. Over the next 8 days, I hiked 138 miles (plus 4 miles hitchhiked from Ranchita, CA back to the trail) to Indian Flats Campground in the Cleveland National Forest north of Warner Springs, CA. The final day, a friend picked me up from the campground and drove me back home after a good cheeseburger and slice of Julian baked pie. On Sunday, August 31, I then walked to the Vista Transit Station, where I hopped onto the Sprinter to the Oceanside Transit Station. My parents had sailed their boat up to the Oceanside Harbor, where I stayed that night. On Labor Day, September 1, we then sailed the entire day back to San Diego, where I picked up my car and drove back home.

Location: Black Mountain Open Space Preserve, Poway, CA
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Hike Statistics: 6.57 miles, 4392ft elevation change (2173ft gain), average slope of 11.2% (60.8% max slope downhill; max uphill slope of 44.5%)
Conditions: 80 to 90 F ; Some shade
Trailhead: 32.999111, -117.098028 (Hike Described Below) ; Hilltop Community Park ; Miner’s Ridge Loop (North Facing Trailhead)
Sierra Club 100 Peaks List: Black #2, #87
GPX Track: Google Drive (Note: Accuracy Not Guaranteed; Only includes hike described below, not additional trail options)

Location: Monserate Mt, Fallbrook, CA
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Hike Statistics: 5.22 miles, 3971ft elevation change (1984ft gain), average slope of 13.4% (45.8% max slope downhill; max uphill slope of 44.5%)
Conditions: Upper 80s F, No shade
Trailhead: 33.366000, -117.157667
GPX Track: Google Drive (Note: Accuracy not guaranteed; Only includes hike described below)