Garmin, watch

Credit: Garmin

One of the best things about hiking in San Diego County is that none of our hikes are too strenuous and the elevations aren’t too serious; and therefore, don’t require any serious gear. No crampons or ice picks are required to summit our tallest peaks. That said, hiking in and around San Diego can still be dangerous if you don’t have the right equipment—mostly water and sun shade, and the right shoes of course. The right gear can always make an excursion on a mountain or trail far more enjoyable.

So if you’re looking for some recommendations on what to bring on your next hike, consider the following suggestions:

Food and Water

The most important thing to bring on a hike, no matter the time of year (but especially in the summer), is water. The general rule for adults is to drink a half-liter of water for every hour of hiking, but that’s at moderate strain in moderate temperatures. If it’s hotter or more strenuous, you should go up to a liter every hour.

Here are some of my favorites for hydration accessories:

• A hydration pack: This CamelBack one is a great option so that you can easily sip as you climb
• A handheld water bottle: Nathan makes great ones that attach to your hand if you don’t like wearing anything bulky on your hike
• A hydration belt: These are great because you can be hands-free the whole hike (which means more opportunities to snap shots of the scenery)
• A hydration vest: If you’re also a runner, this is a great purchase because you can hike and run in them and they often carry a good amount of water (e.g., 5.5L)

For many of San Diego’s shorter hikes (two or three hours roundtrip), you shouldn’t need to pack many snacks or a lunch, though you certainly can, because it’s fun to stop and take a break on the trail. For small snacks to bring, consider energy bars, especially ones that don’t melt like Clif Bars or Pro Bars, and energy gels that you can sip on easily while you hike.

Then there are also the old standbys: trail mix, dried fruit, or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but don’t overdo it, because you could end up with a stomach ache.

The Basics

Now, onto the basics that are important to bring on any hike:

• Typically, you can get away with a good pair of trail running shoes on local trails but hiking boots are also fun to have. It’s a good idea to get them fitted for you by a professional. You can do this at stores such as REI, Milestone Running, or any other specialty store.
• Socks are also important, and something many people often overlook. My favorites are Smartwool PhD hiking socks, but anything with enough cushion that won’t rub on your feet and cause blisters is great.
• Sun protection is also very important, which can mean a hat or a large brim visor, sunglasses, sunscreen sticks and sunscreen chapstick.
• Consider wearing lightweight long sleeve UV sun shirt and pants, which can also help if you brush against bushes along the trail.
• A small first aid kit you can bring in a backpack. REI actually has a great checklist of what should be in your kit here.
• A map or trail book, or just a print out of the trail page, so you don’t have to carry a book. Don’t count on cell service on the trail to make sure you don’t get lost.
• I like to carry a little tissue or toilet paper in a Ziplock bag, so I can use it if I need it and then pack it out with me.
• You can put on insect repellant before you go—though you shouldn’t need to carry it unless you’re going on a very long hike.

Pack everything in a lightweight day backpack that doesn’t jostle around or add extra weight to your trek.

The Fancy

There are also some extra items that can be helpful on a trail, but aren’t absolutely necessary to have. If you’re looking to chase some of the more challenging hikes, these items can be helpful:

• A GPS watch like the ones from Garmin (I recommend the Fenix series of watches) that tell you how far you’ve gone, or a handheld GPS device with maps that work even when cell phones don’t, such as the Garmin GPSMAP 66st.
• A watch that tracks your heart rate, or a heart rate monitor, to make sure you aren’t overly exerting yourself.
• Devices from Core Body Temp can be worn on your arm and track your body temperature to be sure you aren’t overheating.
• Other fun but not necessary items include hiking poles, headphones (please, please no wearable speakers on the trails!), and a headlamp if you’re going to be out early or late.

Most importantly, make sure you tell a friend where you’re going and when you’ll be back, so they know to call for help if you don’t check in at the appointed time. And if you’re feeling weak or tired, it’s totally fine to stop and rest, or turn back–you can always conquer the summit another time.

The post Best Gear for Hiking in San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

El Cajon Mountain

11 Miles Out and Back—Challenging

Free Parking

Cooler months make it the right time to tackle this trail, which is on many a San Diegan bucket list. To start, park at the lot at the entrance to El Capitan Open Space Preserve and follow the trail to the top.

Signs along the way will show you how far you’ve come—and how far you still have to go. Fair warning: You’ll be wiped out at the end, but the views are worth it. Afterward, refuel over shawarma plates of rice and pita at Sahara Taste of the Middle East (2990 Jamacha Road, El Cajon) and finish it off with old-school frozen yogurt at Yogurt Mill (935 Broadway, El Cajon). You’ve earned it!

El Cajon Mountain

@raisho

Hellhole Canyon, Borrego

5.5 Miles Out and Back—Moderate

Dog Friendly, Free Parking

This trail is great to traverse in chillier months, and especially if it has rained recently, so you can see the waterfall at the end. Park in the lot on Montezuma Valley Road in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and follow the trail to Maidenhair Falls. Be sure to snap views of the rocky plateaus that look like the surface of Mars along the way. Before road-tripping home, stop at El Borrego Restaurant (747 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs) for traditional tacos and burritos or crispy French fries.

San Diego River Garden

2 Miles Out and Back—Easy

Dog Friendly, Stroller Friendly, Free Parking

This little trail is hidden in Mission Valley where you’d never expect. It’s also a great place for kids to wander around and look at carefully marked plant species along the garden paths. To get there, park on Rancho Mission Road and follow Camino del Rio North to the garden entrance a little less than a mile away. Wrap up with refreshing smoothies and acai bowls at the nearby San Diego Blenders (4242 Camino del Rio North, Mission Valley), or go for tacos at Crack Taco Shop in the same plaza.

Cold Weather Hikes — Illustration

Illustration by Katie Hart

The post 3 Hikes Made for San Diego’s Colder Weather appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Sunset Trail map

Get there: It’s about 50 miles from downtown San Diego. Take I-8 East to Sunrise Highway (SR-1). Park near the Sunset Trail trailhead on the highway near mile marker 19.1.

Why We Love It: This trail offers a 3.2-mile loop, or you can follow it for a longer out-and-back hike or run. Along the way, take in views of meadows, pines, and lakes.

Where to refuel afterwards: Down some pints and salads, sandwiches, or even ribs at Alpine Beer Company on 2351 Alpine Boulevard—right on the way home.

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