Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve • Hike • California • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Nov 02 2024

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,627
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,762

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

San Diego, CA

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

San Diego, CA

Hiking		Nov 02 2024
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,762

Hiking	5.24 Miles	910 AEG

Hiking	5.24 Miles	2 Hrs 41 Mns		2.07 mph
	910 ft AEG	9 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

Ladyeagle

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

We spent a long weekend in the Escondido/San Diego area. We did a short hike in the popular Elfin Forest Recreation Reserve on a Saturday, so I wasn’t expecting to have the place to ourselves. All 15 spots in the main lot were filled, and all spots in the overflow lot were taken as well, so we parked outside the park entrance on Harmony Grove Rd.

Starting a counterclockwise loop, we began on the Creekside Trail. We rock-hopped over the picturesque Escondido Creek and soon started running into groups of people. About a mile out, the crowds faded. We crossed into the Keithley Preserve, climbed out of the riparian area, and began the ascent to Peak 968, reentering the Elfin Forest Recreation Reserve.

On the Way-Up Trail, we started encountering more people. I had initially planned to split from Deb at this point and take a side trip to check out Olivenhain Reservoir, but since she’d been a good sport so far, I completed the loop with her.

The weather was perfect, with some clouds and temperatures in the low 60s. After climbing away from the creek and gaining some altitude, the views opened up to the surrounding areas.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Escondido Creek

Escondido Creek

Light flow

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

2 archives

May 26 2015

fricknaley

Guides 93
Routes 397
Photos 4,984
Triplogs 4,126

49 male

Joined Jun 20 2003
Tucson, AZ

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

San Diego, CA

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

San Diego, CA

Hiking		May 26 2015
		fricknaley • Triplogs 4,126

Hiking	4.10 Miles	830 AEG

Hiking	4.10 Miles
	830 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

hiked the way up trail then around to some of the dam overlooks. nice network of trails out there. with michelle and dennis

_____________________

hi

Dec 20 2013

azbackpackr

Guides 27
Routes 518
Photos 5,861
Triplogs 883

72 female

Joined Jan 21 2006
Eagar AZ

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

San Diego, CA

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

San Diego, CA

Hiking		Dec 20 2013
		azbackpackr • Triplogs 883

Hiking	7.44 Miles	1,519 AEG

Hiking	7.44 Miles	3 Hrs 55 Mns	2.23 mph
	1,519 ft AEG	35 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

I decided to go here today to see what all the fuss was about, after reading what my fellow HAZ hikers had posted here. But I am sorry to say I had to pass on stopping at the beer joint afterward!

Grass is green under the brush and trees. Today was cool and bright, after a day of rain, but it was not as clear as I thought it would be. A bit of haze in the air.

I am still having issues with my feet, and need to buy the insoles I heard about, SofSol Airr Insoles. Hope they will help. I am still getting back in shape, also.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] California sycamore Coastal live oak

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Informational/Interpretive Sign Trail Signs and Markings

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Escondido Creek Lake Hodges Olivenhain Reservoir

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
Sycamore Trees along Escondido Creek, mostly.

Escondido Creek

Medium flow

Lake Hodges

51-75% full

Olivenhain Reservoir

51-75% full

_____________________

There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.

Aug 16 2013

kingsnake

Guides 117
Routes 339
Photos 11,415
Triplogs 895

63 male

Joined Dec 20 2010
Sunnyslope, PHX

Del Dios Ruins, CA

Hiking		Aug 16 2013
		kingsnake • Triplogs 895

Hiking	1.39 Miles	331 AEG

Hiking	1.39 Miles	43 Mns	1.94 mph
	331 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

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none

no partners

Wanted to hike the Elfin Forest via Del Dios Highlands, but it did not go according to plan. First, the early start was scotched as the gates in San Diego County parks do not open until 0800. :oplz:

If you are willing to park outside the park, you may start early, but as my wife was with me, I did not think that would be fair. So, we waited an hour. When we finally got into the Del Dios TH, there was no bathroom / outhouse. Bummer. That would be *really* unfair to leave my wife at the TH.

So, I improvised, and rather than doing my whole planned eight mile route, I only did the beginning mile+ to the Del Dios ruins and back.

We hiked up and explored together, then split up. She took the trail back, while I took the wash back.The ruins, which overlook Lake Hodges, look like an old stone ranch house, with some more modern brick additions. It had a rather elaborate floor plan, plus terracing, a tank, and several small dams.

I have not been able to find anything on the Great Goog about the ruins, which is curious as they are no random log cabin. :-k

Anybody know anything about them?

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Ceanothus Laurel Sumac Wild Buckwheat

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Dam - Power Plant Informational/Interpretive Sign Inscriptions Pioneer Industry Stone Dwelling

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Lake Hodges

_____________________

http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored.

Apr 06 2013

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 842
Photos 22,068
Triplogs 1,994

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

San Diego, CA

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

San Diego, CA

Hiking		Apr 06 2013
		chumley • Triplogs 1,994

Hiking	7.10 Miles	1,665 AEG

Hiking	7.10 Miles	2 Hrs 28 Mns	2.88 mph
	1,665 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

I decided to get a few miles in after my conference ended Saturday afternoon, with the main goal being that the post-hike would end up at Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens in Escondido.

A quick search introduced me to the Elfin Forest and off I went. It's a preserve with a spider web of trails, all of which begin on the 1.4 mile "Way Up Trail" that climbs about 800-feet over the course of endless switchbacks. This trail requires dogs to be leashed, but the rest of the Reserve allows off-leash dogs! What a nice treat for those who frequent this reserve!

The trails are well marked, and most are double-track, though there is some single-track amongst the desert scrub that covers the landscape. The reserve is multi-use, so bikers and equestrian traffic may be encountered, though I saw only other hikers.

I put together a 7-mile loop and saw maybe two or three other people once I got off the Way Up Trail. It was a nice day, and I was happy to earn my Ruination at the Bistro afterward.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Trail Signs and Markings

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Escondido Creek Lake Hodges

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

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.

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