Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument: Victoria Mine Trail (Blog Hike #1000)

Trail: Victoria Mine Trail
Hike Location: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Geographic Location: south of Ajo, AZ (31.93980, -112.81183)
Length: 4.4 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: February 2024
Overview: An out-and-back through cactus-filled washes to the abandoned Victoria silver mine.
Park Information: https://www.nps.gov/orpi/index.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=956519
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming March 7, 2025)

Directions to the trailhead: From Ajo, drive SR 85 south 33 miles to the signed entrance for Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the right.  Turn right to enter the monument, pay the entrance fee, then follow signs for the Twin Peaks Campground.  The trailhead for the Victoria Mine Trail is located at the far (south) end of this campground; a small parking lot that holds 4 cars accommodates non-campers at the trailhead.

The hike: Located in extreme southern Arizona flush against the Mexican border, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument protects 330,688 acres of classic rugged Sonoran desert land.  The monument was established in 1937 when the Arizona state legislature donated the land to the federal government mainly for the purpose of getting more federal money to improve the area's roads.  The tactic worked: SR 85 is one of the few good roads in this part of Arizona.

            In 1976 the monument was declared an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to the large number of cacti and other desert flora that live here.  In fact, many people believe the organ pipe cactus grows wild nowhere else in the United States.  Despite the amazing flora, this monument also has a darker side: the large amount of illegal activity related to its location along the border.  From 2003-2014 a majority of the park was closed because illegal activity made the area unsafe for hikers and tourists, but improved border security has allowed the park to reopen.  I saw no illegal activity when I came here, and I never felt threatened or unsafe.

            The monument contains a large but sun-drenched developed campground, a Visitor Center with many interesting exhibits, and an extensive trail system that is a hiker's paradise during the cooler months.  Many hiking routes are possible, and the route described here takes you on a fairly flat journey across the desert to the abandoned Victoria Silver Mine.  While the old mine is interesting, I actually found the desert scenery you have to hike through to get to the old mine to be this hike's best feature.  This hike is long enough to give you a real sense of being out in the desert but does not feature any steep grades or rough terrain.  That said, do not underestimate the desert sun at this low latitude.  I went through plenty of water when I hiked here on a sunny mid-February afternoon with temperatures in the mid 80's, but I had a great hike worthy of being my 1000th blog hike.

Trailhead at Twin Peaks Campground

            At the south end of the Twin Peaks Campground, a small brown sign marks the trailhead for the Victoria Mine Trail.  Immediately cacti, creosote, and other desert shrubs surround you in all directions, and the stark Sonoyta Mountains can be seen in the distance to the south.  The dirt/gravel trail is unmarked, but the path on the ground is clear.

Hiking through the saguaro cacti

            The trail heads south before curving right to head west.  At 0.2 miles, you dip to pass through the first of 5 washes.  These washes are dry most of the year, but each one requires a short steep descent to enter followed by a short steep climb to leave.  Some of these wash entrance or exit areas have stone steps to make the grade easier to handle.  The total elevation gain on this hike is just over 300 feet, but you will gain that 300 feet 30 to 50 feet at a time.  A few larger trees grow in the washes, and 3 well-placed benches in 3 different washes take full advantage of the limited shade from these trees.

Climbing out of a wash

            Near 0.3 miles, you enter the Organ Pipe Cactus Wilderness.  No signs mark the wilderness boundary, and trail conditions do not change.  At 1.2 miles, you reach the highest point on this hike after passing through the 3rd wash.  1.8 miles into the hike, you reach the west end of the Victoria Mine Trail, where you intersect what looks like an old dirt road.  As directed by a sign, turn left to begin hiking south on the old road and continue heading for Victoria Mine.

Victoria mine store ruins

Old mine shaft

            Passing through one final wash and navigating a slightly eroded area brings you to the old Victoria Mine at 2.2 miles.  Of unknown founding, this silver mine was active before 1880, and over the next 30 years $120,000 of silver ore would be extracted from this site.  Today the stone ruins of the mine store capture your attention, and several nearby shafts have been capped to prevent entry.  Entering an old mine shaft is a stupid proposition under any circumstances.  After exploring the mine area, retrace your steps across the desert to the campground to complete the hike.

Colorado River State Historic Park to Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park (Blog Hike #999)

Trails: Riverfront Trail, Nature Trail, et. al.
Hike Location: Colorado River State Historic Park and Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
Geographic Location: downtown Yuma, AZ (32.72719, -114.62333)
Length: 2.9 miles
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: February 2024
Overview: An out-and-back connecting two historic sites in downtown Yuma.
Park Information, Army Depot: https://azstateparks.com/colorado-river

Park Information, Territorial Prison: https://azstateparks.com/yuma-territorial
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=956431
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming April 11, 2025)

Directions to the trailhead: On the Arizona/California state line, take I-8 to 4th Avenue (California exit 172).  Exit and go south on 4th Ave.  Drive 4th Ave. south, and turn left to enter Colorado River State Historic Park immediately after crossing the Colorado River.  This hike begins at Colorado River State Historic Park.

The hike: With a union entry date of February 14, 1912, Arizona is the youngest of the United States' contiguous 48 states.  The northern three-fourths of Arizona's land was ceded to the United States by Mexico in 1848 at the end of the Mexican-American War, while the southern portion was acquired in 1853 via the Gadsden Purchase.  The land was formally organized as the Arizona Territory in 1863, and those boundaries more or less correspond to the State of Arizona today.

            Located in extreme southwest Arizona, the City of Yuma is one of the best places to go if you want a glimpse into Arizona's territorial days.  The city is located at the old Yuma Crossing, which is one of the few naturally fordable points on the lower Colorado River.  Two state historic parks are located in downtown Yuma: Colorado River State Historic Park, which protects an old army quartermaster depot, and Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, which protects the old Arizona Territory prison.  A bike trail goes along the Colorado River between the two parks, so you can see them both in one fairly easy hike, namely the one described here.  Note that Arizona State Parks do not allow same-day use and do charge for pedestrian access, so you will need to pay park entrance fees at both parks.

Army depot storehouse

Army depot officer's quarters

            Start with a tour of the old army depot, which was active from 1865 until 1883.  If you follow the self-guided tour's route, your first stop will be the old storehouse, a large building that looks like some old fieldhouses/gymnasiums I have seen in the Midwest.  The building is filled with period items and many interpretive signs that describe life in Yuma in the late 1800's.  Next comes the Office of the Depot Quartermaster, a smaller house-like building that contains some exhibits about military life.  Stops at the officer's quarters and (much newer) corral house complete your tour.

Hiking the bike path

            To begin your journey to the Yuma Territorial Prison, walk back out through the Visitor Center, cross the parking lot, then turn right twice to begin heading east on an asphalt bike path with the Colorado River on your left and the old army depot you just toured on your right.  The self-guided tour map calls this trail the Riverfront trail/Bike path, but it is unsigned on the ground.  The asphalt trail winds through Gateway Park, a long narrow greenway along the Colorado River, as it passes first under the concrete I-10 bridge and then under the older but more aesthetically pleasing Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge.  Nice views upstream along the river emerge even with all of the development.

Colorado River in downtown Yuma

            1.25 miles into the hike (including the army depot walking tour), you reach the dirt trail that leads to the Yuma Territorial Prison.  Turn right to leave the asphalt and begin a short but occasionally steep climb that winds around the prison cemetery and ends at the Yuma Territorial Prison's parking lot.  Walk across the parking lot and through the admission building to enter the prison.

Hiking up to the prison

            Like the old army depot, the old prison offers a self-guided walking tour.  The tour starts with a viewpoint of the bridges you just walked under, but the first main point of interest is the old guard tower.  Climbing the two flights of steps yields fantastic views across the desert to the east and over the prison to the southwest.

View east from guard tower

Prison cell block

            Next enter the prison itself by passing through the sally port and museum.  This prison is every bit as foreboding as you would expect, especially the dark cell used for solitary confinement.  This prison would be a truly miserable place to be in the hot desert summer.  After touring the prison, walk back to the old army depot on the bike path to complete the hike.  On your way back, be sure to take the short dirt Nature Trail that goes between the bike path and the river near the old prison.  This trail passes through a pleasantly wooded area, and it lets you experience the riverside in a more natural setting compared to the rest of the hike.

Cabrillo National Monument: Bayside Trail (Blog Hike #998)

Trail: Bayside Trail
Hike Location: Cabrillo National Monument
Geographic Location: west of San Diego, CA (32.67349, -117.2405)
Length: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: February 2024
Overview: An out-and-back with great views of San Diego and interesting history.
Monument Information: https://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=956373
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming January 31, 2025)

Directions to the trailhead: From the west end of I-8, take Nimitz Boulevard south 0.8 miles to Catalina Boulevard.  Exit and turn right on Catalina Blvd.  Drive Catalina Blvd. south 5 miles to where it dead-ends at the entrance to Cabrillo National Monument.  Pay the entrance fee, and park in the main parking lot near the Visitor Center.

The hike: The year was 1542 when Iberian explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo became the first European to land on what is today the United States' west coast.  Cabrillo set sail on June 27 from Navidad, New Spain in present-day Mexico, heading north along the Pacific coast with 3 ships.  He landed on the shore of today's San Diego Bay on September 28 before heading further north.

            Though the descriptions of his northern-most point are vague, most people think he reached at least the Russian River in northern California and maybe even the Columbia River in Oregon before being forced to turn back due to bad winter weather.  Interestingly, he completely missed famous San Francisco Bay, an error European mariners would continue to make until 1769.  Cabrillo's 1542 journey up the west coast would be his last: he died on January 5, 1543 due to infection from a broken shin.

            Today the place Cabrillo first set foot in what would become the United States is protected as Cabrillo National Monument.  The monument started as a 0.5 acre reservation in 1913, but today it consists of 143 acres at the southern tip of Point Loma, the peninsula of land that separates San Diego Bay from the Pacific Ocean.  The monument is quite popular due to its proximity to San Diego and nearby naval bases, and it receives over 700,000 visitors in a normal year.

            The monument is open for day-use only, but it features an excellent museum with several films about Cabrillo, a lighthouse that dates to 1855, some interesting World War II history, and 2 hiking trails.  The trails are aptly named: the Coastal Trail explores the west side of the peninsula facing the Pacific Ocean, while the Bayside Trail explores the east side of the peninsula facing San Diego Bay.  Both trails are interesting, but there is no connecting trail that would allow you to explore both trails in one hike.  This hike features the Bayside Trail, which is the longer of the two trails.

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo statue

            From the front of the Visitor Center, walk back to the parking lot and turn left to reach a famous statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo.  Commissioned in 1939 by the Portuguese government, the handsome sandstone statue occupies a scenic spot with San Diego Bay and the San Diego skyline in the background.  Next walk out the south side of the parking lot following a paved road that is closed to vehicles.  Climb slightly to reach Old Point Loma Lighthouse at 0.3 miles.  Built in 1855, this lighthouse seems to occupy the highest ground in the Monument, and it adds a nice historical element to this hike.

Old Point Loma Lighthouse

            After visiting the lighthouse, continue to follow the asphalt road as it winds and descends.  You can actually see our eventual destination, the lower end of the Bayside Trail, if you look downhill to the left.  Just past 0.6 miles, you reach the signed upper end of the dirt/gravel Bayside Trail.  Turn left to leave the pavement and begin a moderate descent on the Bayside Trail.

Descending on the Bayside Trail

            One of the great things about the Bayside Trail is that San Diego Bay stays in full view for the trail's entire length.  The numerous naval bases in this area ensure a steady flow of naval planes, helicopters, and ships entering and leaving the area; you will get to see all of that traffic on this hike.  During my hike, I watched what looked like a destroyer enter the bay...and numerous other smaller yachts and boats scrambling to get out of its way!

Navy ship entering San Diego Bay

World War II spotlight shed

            At 0.85 miles, the grade lessens as you begin heading in and out of 2 small ravines.  The nice bay views with San Diego across the bay continue, but some old World War II military structures on the land also attract your attention.  What looks like a railroad tunnel with a lid on it is actually an old spotlight storage shed: the spotlight was wheeled out at night to scout for invading ships and planes.  Interpretive signs give information about this area's military history, and they also tell about the hardy shrubs that inhabit this treeless hillside.

San Diego Bay

            At 1.3 miles, you reach the viewpoint at the lowest elevation on this hike.  This viewpoint is kind of anticlimactic: it gives the same fantastic view across San Diego Bay you have enjoyed the whole way down.  The Bayside Trail ends here, so your only option is to retrace your steps back uphill to the parking lot to complete the hike.  If you want to do more hiking, check out the Coastal Trail, which offers equally impressive views but from the other (ocean) side of the peninsula.

Chino Hills State Park: Bane Ridge/Bane Canyon Loop (Blog Hike #997)

Trails: Bane Ridge and Bane Canyon Trails
Hike Location: Chino Hills State Park
Geographic Location: south side of Chino Hills, CA (33.94416, -117.70330)
Length: 4.8 miles
Difficulty: 7/10 (Moderate/Difficult)
Date Hiked: February 2024
Overview: A loop hike featuring views and wildlife around Bane Canyon.
Park Information: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=648
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=956303
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming December 27)

Directions to the trailhead: Southeast of Los Angeles, take SR 71 to Soquel Canyon Parkway (exit 7).  Exit and go west on Soquel Canyon Pkwy.  Drive Soquel Canyon Pkwy. west 1 mile to Elivanar Drive;  there is a red light at this intersection.  Turn left on Elivanar Dr.  Elivanar Dr. becomes Sapphire Drive when it curves left just before the park entrance on the right.  Turn right to enter the park, pay the entrance fee, and park at the entrance station and restroom building.

The hike: Consisting of a vast 14,173 acres on the southeast side of the vaster Los Angeles metro area, Chino Hills State Park is a critical refuge for both flora and fauna.  The park protects many hills covered with native grasses in addition to some chaparral and oak woodland habitats.  The Pacific flyway bird migration route passes through this area, and the park's land provides an important resting area for birds and other wildlife.

            Chino Hills State Park came to be in 1981 when a local citizen group called Hills for Everyone convinced the state to acquire land formerly used for cattle grazing.  The park today features a cozy 20-site campground and some picnic areas, but most of the park remains in its natural state and is accessible only via an extensive trail system.  Bane Canyon is the park's most popular and easily accessed area, and the hike described here takes you on a scenic loop up and down the west side of the canyon.

            One warning about this hike: this park sits on clay soil that turns into a slippery muddy mess with just a medium amount of rain.  During these times, the park will close all natural-surface trails for public safety and to prevent erosion, so check the park's website and plan your visit accordingly.  I spent several days in the Los Angeles area in mid-February 2024, and I had to wait until my final day in this area before the park's trails finally reopened to allow me to hike here.

Trailhead near entrance station

            From the park entrance station, head southwest to pick up the signed entrance trail.  In only a couple hundred feet, you reach the Bane Canyon Trail.  Turn right to begin heading up canyon and counterclockwise around our loop.

Climbing on the Bane Canyon Trail

            The wide dirt/gravel Bane Canyon Trail heads gradually uphill with the park entrance road you drove in to the right and the grass-covered canyon wall rising to the left.  The scenery is surprisingly barren and natural given this park's location in metro Los Angeles.  At 0.2 miles, you reach the upper end of the Bane Canyon Trail where it intersects the park entrance road.  Angle softly left to continue uphill on the park entrance road.

Starting the Bane Ridge Trail

            At 0.4 miles, you reach the start of the Bane Ridge Trail as you approach the top of the park road's hill.  Turn left and walk around a vehicle gate to begin the Bane Ridge Trail.  The climb on a gradual grade continues, but the Bane Ridge Trail is narrower and more eroded than the Bane Canyon Trail you began on.  Thus, grass and garlic mustard will swipe at your legs in season.

Near the highest point of Bane Ridge

            The trail curves left as it approaches the top of the ridge.  Near 0.8 miles, you reach this hike's highest point, which is about 500 feet above this hike's lowest point.  The next 0.9 miles take you on a ridgetop roller coaster course with 3 short steep descents.  Fantastic views across the grassy Chino Hills unfold all around you, and the taller Santa Ana Mountains can be seen in the distance to the south.

View south down Bane Ridge

            1.6 miles into the hike, you reach a trail intersection just before you pass under some high voltage power lines.  A connector trail exiting left leads to the Pomona Trail and offers you an opportunity to shorten your hike to a 2.5 mile loop, but this hike continues straight to stay on the Bane Ridge Trail and do a longer loop.  After topping one final knob, a gradual to moderate descent ensues, but the fantastic ridgetop views continue.

View west over the Chino Hills

            At 2.8 miles, you reach the south end of the Bane Ridge Trail at the parking lot for the park's picnic area and equestrian trailhead.  A day-use horse corral and restrooms are located here, and the old Rolling M Ranch can be seen to the west; it is now the park's campground.  The sheltered picnic tables here make great places to sit, rest, and rehydrate near the midpoint of this hike.

Picnic area parking lot

            Your next task is to find the south end of the Bane Canyon Trail, which is our return route.  Get there by taking any of the three trails that exit the equestrian trailhead to the east, then turn left on the main park road to begin walking north along the road.  This road is popular for people with dogs because dogs are not allowed on the park's dirt trails, so you likely will not be alone in this area.  The Bane Canyon Trail begins on the left side of the park road near a yellow vehicle gate 3.3 miles into the hike.

South end of Bane Canyon Trail

            The rest of the hike is a gradual climb on the Bane Canyon Trail, which is a wide dirt/gravel trail that stays near the bottom of Bane Canyon with the park road to the right.  The creekside setting makes for good wildlife viewing, and I saw some mourning doves, roadrunners, and deer on my hike.  Just past 4.7 miles, you close the loop.  Angle right to walk back up the entrance trail, return to the entrance station, and complete the hike.

Cleveland National Forest: San Juan Loop Trail (Blog Hike #996)

Trail: San Juan Loop Trail (Trail #5W08)
Hike Location: Cleveland National Forest
Geographic Location: east of San Juan Capistrano, CA (33.61280, -117.42630)
Length: 2.1 miles
Difficulty: 6/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: February 2024
Overview: A loop hike into a rocky canyon featuring a two-tier waterfall.
Trail Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recarea/?recid=47648
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=956219
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming date TBD)

Directions to the trailhead: Between Los Angeles and San Diego, take I-5 to SR 74 (exit 82).  Exit and go east on SR 74.  Drive SR 74 east 19.4 miles to the signed trailhead parking lot on the left.  Turn left and park in the large paved lot.

The hike: Occupying 460,000 acres of inland montane land, Cleveland National Forest is the southern-most of the 18 national forests located at least partly within California.  The forest was created in 1908 when President Theodore Roosevelt combined Trabuco Canyon National Reserve and San Jacinto National Reserve.  The forest was named for former President Grover Cleveland even though he has no obvious connection to this area.

            Cleveland National Forest offers a myriad of hiking and backpacking trails, and one of the shorter and easier options is the San Juan Loop Trail described here.  Located high in San Juan Creek's canyon, the San Juan Loop Trail explores the rocky terrain above San Juan Creek, and it passes one of the area's best waterfalls.  I came here on a warm and sunny Tuesday afternoon and had an excellent hike.

San Juan Loop Trail trailhead

            Start at the north end of the parking lot, where a wooden information kiosk contains a large but old map and marks the trailhead.  The somewhat narrow dirt trail climbs gently to quickly reach its highest point.  At first dense brush towers overhead and crowds the trail, but soon nice views open up across SR 74 into the rocky and rugged San Mateo Canyon Wilderness to the east.

View east into San Mateo Canyon Wilderness

            After passing the highest point, the trail begins a long, moderate, and occasionally rocky descent.  At 0.25 miles, you reach a rocky overlook of a two-tier waterfall in one of San Juan Creek's tributaries.  The waterfall's lower tier is partially hidden by brush.  Also, this waterfall probably dries up during a drought, but it had good flow when I came here a few days after a heavy rain from one of this region's notorious "Pineapple express" storms.

Top tier of waterfall

            Past the waterfall, you descend a couple of switchbacks down a steep and rocky hillside.  At 0.6 miles, the descent eases as you begin heading southwest with the main channel of San Juan Creek visible downhill to the right.  The trail remains narrow here with brush rubbing against your legs, so pants will be much more comfortable than shorts on this hike.

Entering the riparian corridor

            A little more winding and descending brings you into the densely wooded riparian corridor around San Juan Creek near 1 mile into the hike.  Now the character of the hike completely changes from a sunny, rocky, brushy hillside to a damp, densely wooded ravine bottom.  Bugs will be an issue here in season, but the hiking is much easier here than on the rocky hillside.

Hiking through the riparian area

            At 1.1 miles, you reach a major signed trail intersection.  The longer and more difficult Chiquito Trail exits right to ford San Juan Creek, but our hike angles left to stay on the San Juan Loop.  From here it is about 325 feet of elevation gain to get back to the parking lot.  A nice bench makes a good place to sit and rest near the midpoint of this hike.

View down San Juan Creek's canyon

            Soon the trail curves left to begin climbing with another tributary of San Juan Creek on the right.  The terrain is less rocky and easier to deal with than on the downward portion of the loop, but heavily-traveled SR 74 stays within sight to the right for most of the climb.  Thus, the hiking is not nearly as pleasant.  After passing a primitive campground, the trail climbs to a ledge that gives nice views down San Juan Creek's canyon and of the rocky surrounding hillsides.  A little more gradual to moderate climbing returns you to the parking lot to complete the hike.

San Clemente State Beach (Blog Hike #995)

Trails: Butterfly and Access Trails
Hike Location: San Clemente State Beach
Geographic Location: south side of San Clemente, CA (33.40563, -117.60425)
Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: February 2024
Overview: A loop hike up the bluffs, around the campground, and along the beach.
Park Information: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=646
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=956109
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming November 5)

Directions to the trailhead: Between Los Angeles and San Diego, take I-5 to exit 73.  Exit, cross over to the west side of the interstate if necessary, and then head west on Avenida Calafia.  Avenida Calafia dead-ends at the day-use parking lot for San Clemente State Beach.

The hike: Established as a California state beach in 1937, San Clemente State Beach is one of the most popular state beaches in California.  The mile-long beach is known for the steep bluff that rises above its sands.  The bluff gives this beach a very different feel than nearby San Onofre and Doheny State Beaches, and it is popular with ocean sports enthusiasts and with people from nearby San Diego and Los Angeles.

            In terms of amenities, the small park features a 160-site developed campground, a picnic area, and of course the beach.  The park features several short trails, and combining them in a clever way forms the loop described here that explores both the bluff and the beach.  I came here as an add-on after hiking at nearby San Onofre State Beach and had an excellent short hike with a wide variety of scenery.

Start of trail at day-use area

            From the restroom building at the beach day-use parking lot, walk back uphill along the parking lot you just drove down through and look to the right for the start of the trail.  The trailhead is unsigned and unmarked, but the obvious well-worn dirt trail starts beside a large eucalyptus tree.  Stay to the left as the trail winds uphill, sometimes steeply, through badland-type bluffs; the trail that goes right leads to the campground.  These bluffs consist of light-colored easily-eroded dirt and rock that gets hot and sunny in the summer, so this hike can be harder than the elevation and distance would indicate.  Some prickly pear cacti living in these bluffs will brighten your path in season.

Climbing through the bluffs

            At 0.25 miles, you reach the top of the bluff and start paralleling the campground entrance road.  A bench near the campground entrance station gives a great view back down the bluffs toward the ocean.  After passing the entrance station, cross the campground road to the left and begin the trail through the park's butterfly garden.  This area features plants such as milkweed that tend to attract butterflies, but I did not see any butterflies when I came here on a sunny Monday afternoon.

View from campground entrance station

            0.5 miles into the hike, you reach the park's pedestrian entrance on the left.  Turn right to begin hiking west along the south end of the north campground.  This trail is ADA-accessible, and it ends at the Visitor Center parking lot near 0.8 miles.  Cross the parking lot and angle right to enter the park's picnic area, which offers more fantastic blufftop ocean views.

Tunnel under the railroad tracks

            Exit the rear of the picnic area on a wide dirt trail that heads steeply downhill through the bluffs.  After curving left to parallel an active railroad track, you reach a trail intersection 1 mile into the hike.  The trail going uphill to the left heads back to the Visitor Center parking lot, so you want to turn right to pass through a tunnel under the railroad tracks and arrive at the beach.  This beach is rockier than most southern California beaches, and the rocks combined with the close bluffs give this beach a distinctive and rugged look and feel.

San Clemente beach

            To get back to your car, turn right and begin hiking north along the rocky beach.  The beach is quite narrow with the ocean on your left and the bluff rising to the right.  At 1.3 miles, you reach the wooden steps that lead back to the day-use parking lot.  The first step off of the sand is a tall one, a testament to how much erosion this beach has sustained.  A concrete path crosses the railroad tracks and returns you to the parking lot to complete the hike.

San Onofre State Beach: San Mateo Campground to Trestles Beach (Blog Hike #994)

Trails: Panhe Nature and Trestles Beach Trails
Hike Location: San Onofre State Beach
Geographic Location: south side of San Clemente, CA (33.40605, -117.58513)
Length: 3.3 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: February 2024
Overview: An out-and-back to a famous surfing beach.
Park Information: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=647
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=956108
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming February 21, 2025)

Directions to the trailhead: Between Los Angeles and San Diego, take I-5 to Cristianitos Road (exit 72).  Exit and go east on Cristianitos Rd.  Drive Cristianitos Rd. east 1 mile to the signed entrance for the state beach's San Mateo Campground on the right.  Turn right to enter the campground, pay the day-use entrance fee, then turn right 3 times to reach the trailhead parking lot.

The hike: Consisting of 3000 acres leased from the United States Marine Corps, San Onofre State Beach protects a 3.5 mile beach that is one of the longest undeveloped stretches of oceanfront in southern California.  The state beach's land sits adjacent to Marine Corps Camp Pendleton, which was established in 1942.  The state beach came to be in 1971 when Governor Ronald Reagan signed the lease, and the lease is in the process of being renewed as I write this Trail Journal entry.  The beach was named by Catholic missionaries for the 4th century Egyptian hermit St. Onuphrius, but it has no obvious connection to him.

            A surfing camp has existed on this site since the 1920's, and surfing remains the beach's main attraction today.  In fact over 2.5 million visitors come to this beach each year, making it one of the most popular state parks in California.  The state beach contains 4 main surfing areas: Trestles, Church, Surf Beach, and Trails from north to south.  The state beach also offers 2 campgrounds: the Bluffs Campground located on the bluffs overlooking the ocean and the San Mateo Campground located further inland on old US 101.

            In terms of trails, the state beach offers several short trails that connect the bluffs to the beach, and it offers a system of trails through hilly terrain further inland.  Splitting the difference between those two options are the Panhe Nature and Trestles Beach Trails described here.  The Panhe Nature Trail starts inland at the San Mateo Campground, but it connects with the Trestles Beach Trail to lead to Trestles Beach, which many regard as this area's best surfing beach.  Thus, this hike lets you sample everything San Onofre State Beach has to offer.

San Mateo Campground trailhead

            The San Mateo Campground trailhead is marked with an information kiosk and a brown metal sign that says "Beach Trail."  The wide gravel/dirt trail starts winding its way uphill on a gradual grade.  The sunny hillside features a dense shrubby ground cover, but some eucalyptus trees appear as you near the top of the hill.

View from highest point

            Just past 0.4 miles, you pass the highest elevation on this hike as you come alongside Cristianitos Road, which is the road you drove in on and old US 101.  The rest of the hike can be seen from here, including I-5 and the Pacific Ocean.  Next the trail begins descending gradually, and you pass an interpretive sign that describes the ancient village of Panhe.  Panhe means "place by the water" in the Acjachemen language.  Indeed, the village sat beside San Mateo Creek, which runs through the ravine to the east.

Descending toward San Mateo Creek

            At 0.9 miles, you pass the access trail that exits right to the Trestles Beach parking area before beginning the steepest part of the hike.  The difference between maximum and minimum elevation on this hike is just under 200 feet, so the steep area is over pretty quick.  Next the trail curves right to begin following San Mateo Creek as it passes under I-5.  You are now officially on the Trestles Beach Trail, but there are no signs or discernable changes in trail conditions.

Old Pacific Coast Highway

            1.2 miles into the hike, you cross the old Pacific Coast Highway, which is now a bike trail.  Continue straight to keep heading for Trestles Beach.  Now the trail flattens out as it passes between a wetland on the left and a low bluff on the right.  I did some good bird viewing on this section of trail, and I had a rabbit bound across the trail in front of me.

Entrance to Trestles Beach

            Just past 1.5 miles, you reach the iron and concrete railroad trestle that guards the entrance to Trestles Beach.  Trains do use this railroad, so going under the trestle is preferable to climbing over the railroad tracks.  Mind your head as you walk under the trestle, then climb over the sand dunes to reach the trail's end at Trestles Beach.

Trestles Beach

            Known for its consistent and perfect surfing waves, at least 10 surfers were in the water when I came here, but the lack of close parking keeps the crowds away.  Take some time to watch the surfers and enjoy the relatively isolated setting.  When you are ready, retrace your steps to the San Mateo Campground to complete the hike.