Winter hikes

Now that the weather has cooled off, I try to get out often for local hikes. There's nothing spectacular here like roaring waterfalls or meadows with black bears nosing around. But there are nice places to get away from the noise and demands of our hectic lives. Here are a few of my favorites (with more to follow in another blog). Contact me if you'd like more details.

1. Daley Ranch--There are no bad hikes here. This was going to be a huge housing development by Dixon Lake in northern Escondido, but it all fell through. The city bought the land and turned it into miles and miles of trails. If you can go during the week, you'll have most of the trails to your self. I've seen a bobcat, a family of coyotes, hawks, rattlesnakes, a rosy boa snake, lizards, and assorted critters. There is a main entrance off La Honda, but my favorite is the little-used trail that starts off Cougar Pass.

2. Blue Sky--This one's in Poway. If you go far enough, you end up climbing a steep route that takes you to Lake Ramona.

3. Del Dios Highlands--This one is reached off Del Dios Highway as you exit Escondido near Via Rancho. Wow, you really have to put it in low gear as you hike nearly straight up, but it's worth it. You bump up against the east end of the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, site of Olivenhain Dam and Reservoir. Lots of cool trails when you get there and some pretty nice views of Escondido and other areas.

OK, that's it for now. More to come. Hope you can get out there and enjoy the scenery.