Coast to Crest Hike for CYOA
Throughout the last week and a half, 48 students have hiked around ten to fourteen miles a day all around the San Dieguito River Valley Watershed Conservancy. We called this adventure the Coast to Crest Hike, a hike that only a few people have completed.
Day 1
The first hike was set out to be ten miles long starting at Sikes Adobe Farmstead. This was not the planned beginning of the Coast to Crest but due to weather conditions and reconstruction, we were not able to start at Volcan Mountain. The day was hot and sunny but many of us were eager to start. The first major landmark we saw was Lake Hodges. The first half of the walk was pretty flat, no major ups and downs. We all walked around the lake taking notice of all the different life forms, and picking up on the plants we already know. At one point in the hike we crossed a little stream, thankfully with stepping stones so no one got wet. At around twelve we found a nice shaded grass area to rest and have lunch. I had thought we were done with the hike because it seemed we had been walking for way longer than we were supposed to. To my surprise, we had only walked about 4.5 miles of the ten mile hike. At the lunch area there were the people too tired to do anything but eat, and then there was the kids who still had energy and began to climb trees or play on the rope swings.
It was a little rough to get up and continue the rest of the hike but once we got moving it wasn’t too bad. On the second half of the hike we got to see some scenery that almost made me feel like I wasn’t in California anymore. The lake was beautiful and glimmering but I was more in awe with the mountain right next to it that was completely covered with greenery. You could tell the water level of the lake had reduced over the years from the lining along the bottom of the mountain. As we walked farther, we got to see a beautifully crafted dam. The backside of the dam was so nicely designed that it took away the idea that it was just concrete blocking the water flow. Once we passed the dam we headed down into the valley, which later we had to walk back up. Towards the end we had a clear sight of our destination which made many of us hopeful.
At the end of the hike, my knees, shins, and especially my feet, were sore. I was very grateful that everyone completely the first hike but I was ready to go home and relax, hopefully getting enough sleep for the very long hike that would be coming up.
The first hike was set out to be ten miles long starting at Sikes Adobe Farmstead. This was not the planned beginning of the Coast to Crest but due to weather conditions and reconstruction, we were not able to start at Volcan Mountain. The day was hot and sunny but many of us were eager to start. The first major landmark we saw was Lake Hodges. The first half of the walk was pretty flat, no major ups and downs. We all walked around the lake taking notice of all the different life forms, and picking up on the plants we already know. At one point in the hike we crossed a little stream, thankfully with stepping stones so no one got wet. At around twelve we found a nice shaded grass area to rest and have lunch. I had thought we were done with the hike because it seemed we had been walking for way longer than we were supposed to. To my surprise, we had only walked about 4.5 miles of the ten mile hike. At the lunch area there were the people too tired to do anything but eat, and then there was the kids who still had energy and began to climb trees or play on the rope swings.
It was a little rough to get up and continue the rest of the hike but once we got moving it wasn’t too bad. On the second half of the hike we got to see some scenery that almost made me feel like I wasn’t in California anymore. The lake was beautiful and glimmering but I was more in awe with the mountain right next to it that was completely covered with greenery. You could tell the water level of the lake had reduced over the years from the lining along the bottom of the mountain. As we walked farther, we got to see a beautifully crafted dam. The backside of the dam was so nicely designed that it took away the idea that it was just concrete blocking the water flow. Once we passed the dam we headed down into the valley, which later we had to walk back up. Towards the end we had a clear sight of our destination which made many of us hopeful.
At the end of the hike, my knees, shins, and especially my feet, were sore. I was very grateful that everyone completely the first hike but I was ready to go home and relax, hopefully getting enough sleep for the very long hike that would be coming up.
Day 2
The second hike was from Del Dios Gorge to San Andres Drive. We all gathered at the same area we had finished the day before. This hike was set out to be fourteen miles which I was dreading but the weather was nice and cool, the sun barely shining through. The beginning of the hike started with a lot of brush surrounding us. After about an hour we walked a huge hill and once we reached the top everyone was flushed and had to sit for a little snack break.
Once we all got hydrated, we got a little pep talk from the teachers and continued on our way. The walk from the top, the scenery changed dramatically, instead of brush and tall grasses, we now saw huge house and a couple of little ranches with horses. After we had walked up, ten minutes later, we had to walk down. Thankfully then the path was flat so it was easier to enjoy the scenery around us, including a dead bird. At one point we had to cross a stream, this one had stepping stones but some people still got wet, and once you crossed the water, there was very thick and slippery mud you had to trek through. It took a while for everyone to cross but eventually everyone made it across and we were able to continue our hike, which was straight up hill. Again, at the top of this hill, we had our short snack break, and continued on.
This hike was a little different because a good portion on the hike was along a street where many cars passed by so it didn’t really feel like a hike. For lunch we ate right next to a shopping area and some kids even purchased things which was kind of funny because we were told there wouldn’t even be bathrooms along this hike, let alone a shopping area.
As we continued along the streets we had a lot of time to socialize because there wasn’t much life form to take note of. After a while we had finally reached the point everyone had been wondering about. We were instructed by Mr. Leader on what to do and then everyone got ready. Some people decided to take their shoes off, some took shoes and socks off, and then some just left them on. The water was only about ten feet long but the water was around knee deep. I actually enjoyed crossing the water because it was adventurous and the cold water felt good on my sore feet.
Eventually everyone crossed and put all their shoes back on and we were able to finish the last two miles of our hike. One part was along a golf course path and then some muddy areas, but mostly dry, dirt paths. By this time, the clouds had gone away and it was getting hot. Once we reached our final destination, my feet were dead and I was ready to go home. I ended up having to wait around thirty minutes for Dr. Patton to come pick us up. During this time I was able to clean off my pruned feet, get sprayed by a pipe on accident, and play with a little lizard.
The second hike was from Del Dios Gorge to San Andres Drive. We all gathered at the same area we had finished the day before. This hike was set out to be fourteen miles which I was dreading but the weather was nice and cool, the sun barely shining through. The beginning of the hike started with a lot of brush surrounding us. After about an hour we walked a huge hill and once we reached the top everyone was flushed and had to sit for a little snack break.
Once we all got hydrated, we got a little pep talk from the teachers and continued on our way. The walk from the top, the scenery changed dramatically, instead of brush and tall grasses, we now saw huge house and a couple of little ranches with horses. After we had walked up, ten minutes later, we had to walk down. Thankfully then the path was flat so it was easier to enjoy the scenery around us, including a dead bird. At one point we had to cross a stream, this one had stepping stones but some people still got wet, and once you crossed the water, there was very thick and slippery mud you had to trek through. It took a while for everyone to cross but eventually everyone made it across and we were able to continue our hike, which was straight up hill. Again, at the top of this hill, we had our short snack break, and continued on.
This hike was a little different because a good portion on the hike was along a street where many cars passed by so it didn’t really feel like a hike. For lunch we ate right next to a shopping area and some kids even purchased things which was kind of funny because we were told there wouldn’t even be bathrooms along this hike, let alone a shopping area.
As we continued along the streets we had a lot of time to socialize because there wasn’t much life form to take note of. After a while we had finally reached the point everyone had been wondering about. We were instructed by Mr. Leader on what to do and then everyone got ready. Some people decided to take their shoes off, some took shoes and socks off, and then some just left them on. The water was only about ten feet long but the water was around knee deep. I actually enjoyed crossing the water because it was adventurous and the cold water felt good on my sore feet.
Eventually everyone crossed and put all their shoes back on and we were able to finish the last two miles of our hike. One part was along a golf course path and then some muddy areas, but mostly dry, dirt paths. By this time, the clouds had gone away and it was getting hot. Once we reached our final destination, my feet were dead and I was ready to go home. I ended up having to wait around thirty minutes for Dr. Patton to come pick us up. During this time I was able to clean off my pruned feet, get sprayed by a pipe on accident, and play with a little lizard.
Day 3
The third day’s hike was from Bandy Canyon Trailhead to Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead. This hike started off near an orange grove, and I knew today was going to be hard because even in the morning, the weather was very hot. Along our walk we saw a lot of dry plants and also some areas decorated with graffiti. They had told us that today was going to be a very easy hike so I assumed we would just be walking around the base of the mountain. Instead, we walked up and down the mountain. Going up the mountain, the plant life began to change, we saw more greenery. On the down the mountain there was a lot of stones and shade, very pretty to look at. The last stretch of the hike was dry and hot again. The surrounding plants were all very tall or went out for a long ways. At one point in the hike, Dr. Patton pulled out his English hiking bar. Many students were able to try in. It was mint flavored sugar and was great to gnaw on while walking. We finished the hike at the same spot we had started our hike on day one.
The third day’s hike was from Bandy Canyon Trailhead to Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead. This hike started off near an orange grove, and I knew today was going to be hard because even in the morning, the weather was very hot. Along our walk we saw a lot of dry plants and also some areas decorated with graffiti. They had told us that today was going to be a very easy hike so I assumed we would just be walking around the base of the mountain. Instead, we walked up and down the mountain. Going up the mountain, the plant life began to change, we saw more greenery. On the down the mountain there was a lot of stones and shade, very pretty to look at. The last stretch of the hike was dry and hot again. The surrounding plants were all very tall or went out for a long ways. At one point in the hike, Dr. Patton pulled out his English hiking bar. Many students were able to try in. It was mint flavored sugar and was great to gnaw on while walking. We finished the hike at the same spot we had started our hike on day one.
Day 4
I didn’t go on the hike on day four because of personal reasons so instead of going on the hike, I went to school and joined the finance group. The first hour of the day I wasn’t allowed to join the finance group but after I joined them because I had nothing else to do. All the finance students were in the room and a majority of them weren’t doing anything but playing games. I decided to get my honors math homework done, while occasionally talking to some of the students. Lunch time came around and after we all walked to MXN for a “finance field trip”. They took about four bullet points of notes and then ordered their food and ate. Although I didn’t really do anything on this day, it was nice to take a day off and also to talk with a bunch of the other students that I didn’t get to talk to on the hike. All around it was a fun day, kind of made me rethink my choice of Choose Your Own Adventure.
I didn’t go on the hike on day four because of personal reasons so instead of going on the hike, I went to school and joined the finance group. The first hour of the day I wasn’t allowed to join the finance group but after I joined them because I had nothing else to do. All the finance students were in the room and a majority of them weren’t doing anything but playing games. I decided to get my honors math homework done, while occasionally talking to some of the students. Lunch time came around and after we all walked to MXN for a “finance field trip”. They took about four bullet points of notes and then ordered their food and ate. Although I didn’t really do anything on this day, it was nice to take a day off and also to talk with a bunch of the other students that I didn’t get to talk to on the hike. All around it was a fun day, kind of made me rethink my choice of Choose Your Own Adventure.
Day 5
This hike would be the last hike before the weekend where everyone would be able to relax and recover. The hike was from Pamo Road Trailhead to Bandy Canyon Road. I was iffy about going on this hike today for the same reason as the previous day but I decided to go on the hike. This day was the day that we would have to go off path, but I had no idea what to expect.
We had a park ranger to lead us throughout the hike and to point out certain archaeological points which kind of took a long time. Along the hike we got to look into the valley, and then up to the windy road. Around lunch time everyone decided to walk down into the valley to eat because there was shade and grass. After we ate I decided to try to go to the bathroom. I walked away from everyone near a tree but before I even got to go to the bathroom I was invaded by hundreds of ants crawling all over me and my backpack. For the next hour of the hike I was paranoid that the ants were crawling and biting me, I was reassured of that thought when I found a couple in my hair.
At one point in the hike there was an easy walk up to a gate and I thought that was the finish but it wasn’t. Instead of walking up, we walked down into the plants, which was the beginning of our off path hike. It started off with a lot of pushing through plants and crawling over rocks. Within the first twenty minutes of the off path section of the hike, my friend Brittany, who I was walking with, slipped into a couple of rocks and jammed her ankle pretty badly. Everyone had to stop while the teachers cared for her and then we went on our way. Because there was no direct pathway there were multiple ways to get around certain obstacles. There were sections that we had to walk along water, crawl over big rocks, push your way through plants, and even jump to get down. It was supposed to be two miles of off path hiking but it ended up taking around two hours to complete.
Even once we finished the off path section, we weren’t done hiking. Once section was a very steep drop down, I ended up slipping and falling on my butt where I then was covered in dirt. At the bottom of the steep drop we were then able to finish the last part of the hike. Although it was a path, it was all sand, and it is not easy to walk through sand. It seemed like the last stretch of hiking lasted hours. Finally we had reached our destination and someone’s mother had brought snacks and drinks which, at the moment, was the greatest thing ever. The time was 5:30 and I then regretted my choice of going on the hike this day.
This hike would be the last hike before the weekend where everyone would be able to relax and recover. The hike was from Pamo Road Trailhead to Bandy Canyon Road. I was iffy about going on this hike today for the same reason as the previous day but I decided to go on the hike. This day was the day that we would have to go off path, but I had no idea what to expect.
We had a park ranger to lead us throughout the hike and to point out certain archaeological points which kind of took a long time. Along the hike we got to look into the valley, and then up to the windy road. Around lunch time everyone decided to walk down into the valley to eat because there was shade and grass. After we ate I decided to try to go to the bathroom. I walked away from everyone near a tree but before I even got to go to the bathroom I was invaded by hundreds of ants crawling all over me and my backpack. For the next hour of the hike I was paranoid that the ants were crawling and biting me, I was reassured of that thought when I found a couple in my hair.
At one point in the hike there was an easy walk up to a gate and I thought that was the finish but it wasn’t. Instead of walking up, we walked down into the plants, which was the beginning of our off path hike. It started off with a lot of pushing through plants and crawling over rocks. Within the first twenty minutes of the off path section of the hike, my friend Brittany, who I was walking with, slipped into a couple of rocks and jammed her ankle pretty badly. Everyone had to stop while the teachers cared for her and then we went on our way. Because there was no direct pathway there were multiple ways to get around certain obstacles. There were sections that we had to walk along water, crawl over big rocks, push your way through plants, and even jump to get down. It was supposed to be two miles of off path hiking but it ended up taking around two hours to complete.
Even once we finished the off path section, we weren’t done hiking. Once section was a very steep drop down, I ended up slipping and falling on my butt where I then was covered in dirt. At the bottom of the steep drop we were then able to finish the last part of the hike. Although it was a path, it was all sand, and it is not easy to walk through sand. It seemed like the last stretch of hiking lasted hours. Finally we had reached our destination and someone’s mother had brought snacks and drinks which, at the moment, was the greatest thing ever. The time was 5:30 and I then regretted my choice of going on the hike this day.
Day 6
This hike was the hike we were supposed to do on day one and the first hike after our weekend of rest. It was from Volcan Mountain to CA 79 in Santa Ysabel. I had been dreading this hike all week because we were told it was a hike up a mountain and was the longest hike.
The drive took a little over an hour to get to our beginning place but the area was absolutely beautiful. As we hiked up the mountain there were so many things I wanted to stop and take pictures of. Everything looked so different from what I see where I live. The weather was perfect for a hike up a mountain; it was cold and windy. The hike up wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected, it was very zigzagged so it wasn’t too intense and we took breaks every once in a while. I really enjoyed walking up the mountain because you were able to see so much more every time you walked up a little more. Even though it was enjoyable it was still tiring. At one point my friend wanted to rest so she sat on a wooden fence but the second she sat down the whole thing collapsed. I had a pretty good laugh before I decided to help her up.
When we finally got to the very top, we stopped for lunch and had a little time to explore. It was a beautiful, green area, perfect for pictures. On the way down I was able to have a great conversation with an old friend, occasionally slipping and falling down.
Once at the bottom we were shuttled to the second part of the hike about a three minute drive away. This area was so open with grass for miles and trees spread out everywhere. It was breezy as we walked along the flat path and it was nice to just enjoy the surrounding nature. At one point we had to walk straight up a huge hill and I found that harder than climbing the mountain itself! At the top everyone was out of breath and chugging their water. From there on we walked through the grass field passing cows, trees, and huge stones, a very pretty area. At one point I was just walking along, talking with a friend when I see a snake about 3 cm from my shoe. I frantically screamed and jumped higher than I have ever jumped in my life, and then ran. Once I got away from the snake a bunch of people made fun of me because it was only a garden snake and would not have harmed me. In my defense, in the heat of the moment I had no idea what type of snake it was. After everyone checked out the snake we all continued walking. Today was a great day for conversation, even bonding with the teachers, catching them up on student life.
The rest of the hike was all downhill and my friend had hurt her knee pretty badly. For the next hour or two I assisted her down the hill, even though I was pretty unstable myself. Us two were the last to finish the hike but it was kind of nice to be in the back away from everyone.
This hike was the hike we were supposed to do on day one and the first hike after our weekend of rest. It was from Volcan Mountain to CA 79 in Santa Ysabel. I had been dreading this hike all week because we were told it was a hike up a mountain and was the longest hike.
The drive took a little over an hour to get to our beginning place but the area was absolutely beautiful. As we hiked up the mountain there were so many things I wanted to stop and take pictures of. Everything looked so different from what I see where I live. The weather was perfect for a hike up a mountain; it was cold and windy. The hike up wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected, it was very zigzagged so it wasn’t too intense and we took breaks every once in a while. I really enjoyed walking up the mountain because you were able to see so much more every time you walked up a little more. Even though it was enjoyable it was still tiring. At one point my friend wanted to rest so she sat on a wooden fence but the second she sat down the whole thing collapsed. I had a pretty good laugh before I decided to help her up.
When we finally got to the very top, we stopped for lunch and had a little time to explore. It was a beautiful, green area, perfect for pictures. On the way down I was able to have a great conversation with an old friend, occasionally slipping and falling down.
Once at the bottom we were shuttled to the second part of the hike about a three minute drive away. This area was so open with grass for miles and trees spread out everywhere. It was breezy as we walked along the flat path and it was nice to just enjoy the surrounding nature. At one point we had to walk straight up a huge hill and I found that harder than climbing the mountain itself! At the top everyone was out of breath and chugging their water. From there on we walked through the grass field passing cows, trees, and huge stones, a very pretty area. At one point I was just walking along, talking with a friend when I see a snake about 3 cm from my shoe. I frantically screamed and jumped higher than I have ever jumped in my life, and then ran. Once I got away from the snake a bunch of people made fun of me because it was only a garden snake and would not have harmed me. In my defense, in the heat of the moment I had no idea what type of snake it was. After everyone checked out the snake we all continued walking. Today was a great day for conversation, even bonding with the teachers, catching them up on student life.
The rest of the hike was all downhill and my friend had hurt her knee pretty badly. For the next hour or two I assisted her down the hill, even though I was pretty unstable myself. Us two were the last to finish the hike but it was kind of nice to be in the back away from everyone.
Day 7
This hike was the last bit of hiking to the end from San Andres Drive to Del Mar Dog Beach. It was supposed to be a little two mile hike but our ranger ended up taking us the wrong way. We got lost for a little but we were able to get to the dog beach where we could finally say we completed the Coast to Crest hike.
This hike was the last bit of hiking to the end from San Andres Drive to Del Mar Dog Beach. It was supposed to be a little two mile hike but our ranger ended up taking us the wrong way. We got lost for a little but we were able to get to the dog beach where we could finally say we completed the Coast to Crest hike.