Route Editor
Route Scout
Lake Hodges is a pleasant place to paddle a kayak, although it is closed part of the year. It's open February through October. See website for more information. Each arm of the lake (see GPS routes on triplogs) will give you about 5 miles total out and back. So, if you paddle to the end of each arm you should get around 9 to 10 miles. It is a great place to bird-watch. Motorboats are allowed but cannot go over 35 mph, so it's not as crazy out there as at other lakes. Early morning is best, since afternoon winds can come up. Put-in for kayaks is at good-sized beach near docks. You can park your car on the beach right next to the water to unload, then move your vehicle further up the beach after unloading. See link in "Fees / Permits". Tandem is even if paddled by only one person. Fee is sometimes collected by hand, other times you pay the machine. Easy to figure out. Hours One-half hour before sunrise, to sunset. You can get there early and line up with the fishermen's trucks. city webpage Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your kayak trip to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Lake Hodges Paddle
I posted this in a local club and a couple nice guys came out to paddle with me. I am still tired from the 42 mile lower Colorado River trip earlier in the week. I did struggle to keep up with these two very experienced paddlers, but I still had fun.
Note to self: Don't forget the Ibuprofen!
We saw the usual birds, plus several very grand big White Pelicans. There is a trail around the lake. A LOT of mountain bikers on it today--must have been some sort of an event or club ride.
Note to self: Don't forget the Ibuprofen!
We saw the usual birds, plus several very grand big White Pelicans. There is a trail around the lake. A LOT of mountain bikers on it today--must have been some sort of an event or club ride.
2014-02-22 azbackpackr
Lake Hodges Paddle
I arrived at the lake to find the fishermen lined up in their trucks, waiting to get in. It opens half an hour before sunrise.
Although the sky had been clear on the drive over, the lake was totally socked-in with fog. Interesting phenomenon! It was dead calm.
I saw a lot of grebes, some coots and ducks, an osprey, great blue herons, and cormorants.
It was a lovely morning to paddle on the glassy-smooth water. Despite the line of fishermen, the lake really was not crowded. I sure like this lake better than El Capitan Reservoir--no speedboats!
Although the sky had been clear on the drive over, the lake was totally socked-in with fog. Interesting phenomenon! It was dead calm.
I saw a lot of grebes, some coots and ducks, an osprey, great blue herons, and cormorants.
It was a lovely morning to paddle on the glassy-smooth water. Despite the line of fishermen, the lake really was not crowded. I sure like this lake better than El Capitan Reservoir--no speedboats!
2014-02-08 azbackpackr
Lake Hodges Paddle
I went paddling with 7 other people at this pretty lake. We saw so many birds you would not believe it! I posted this paddle on a club I joined recently, since I moved here, and I was so pleased at the response! This was the 3rd event I have posted for the group. This time, out of 7 other people there were 5 I had not met before. There were four sea kayaks, including mine. There was one tandem sit-on-top, and a couple of rec kayaks. One of them was a little shorty, and the woman really struggled in the wind. She gratefully accepted a tow from someone. Note to self: Get a tow rope.
Due to wind and nature of the group it was a short paddle, but that was fine. We had fun.
If you look at my GPS route, you will notice I forgot to turn the thing on right away. We paddled about 1/4 mile and then I remembered.
This lake is near Escondido and Rancho Bernardo, in the inland North County area of San Diego. It just opened for the season on Wednesday, and it'll be open Wednesdays and weekends. It's $2 to launch a single kayak and $7 to launch a tandem, no matter whether it's a short tandem with only one person paddling it. So, this means, you can launch a 19-foot sea kayak for $2, but a 9-foot tandem paddled by only one person is going to be $7.
To quote the old river rat: "Why does the government do what it does? Because it CAN!"
Due to wind and nature of the group it was a short paddle, but that was fine. We had fun.
If you look at my GPS route, you will notice I forgot to turn the thing on right away. We paddled about 1/4 mile and then I remembered.
This lake is near Escondido and Rancho Bernardo, in the inland North County area of San Diego. It just opened for the season on Wednesday, and it'll be open Wednesdays and weekends. It's $2 to launch a single kayak and $7 to launch a tandem, no matter whether it's a short tandem with only one person paddling it. So, this means, you can launch a 19-foot sea kayak for $2, but a 9-foot tandem paddled by only one person is going to be $7.
To quote the old river rat: "Why does the government do what it does? Because it CAN!"
2014-02-05 azbackpackr
