Distance: 6 miles Elevation Gain: 469′ Date and Time: Sunday June, 18th 10am to 1pm Temp: 70’s Hikeability: Easy-Moderate Water & Snack: 1.5 liters, Probar, Orange
Directions to trailhead : From the coast, take Highway 76 east and turn left on Mission Road, heading north. Take the first left onto Pico Road, which quickly becomes De Luz Road. Veer right onto Sandia Creek Road, and park on the trailhead just before the bridge.
A hike I’ve heard of more about from the local hiking community here in the North County section of San Diego is the Santa Margarita River Trail in Fallbrook, CA. This hidden gem of a trail parallels a clean clear slow moving river out into the back country and hills of Fallbrook.
The trail is very well marked, much of the way soft sand with some ares of the trail rock and boulder “hazards” dotted along the way just to add some interest and challenge to this relatively easy trail.
That said, at trails end, you really do feel like you have hiked a much more aggressive trail than what the Santa Margarita River Trail has to offer. The fun part of this hike is at certain sections 2 miles out you can find “secret” areas that allow you to cross the river with a few rock climbs and bushwhacking (watch out for the Posion Oak)
You can step rock to rock crossing the river leading which will lwad you to the continuation of trail on the other side of the river. This continuation trail ends further into the hills and at one point offers you a climb up to a plateau and sweeping views of the Valley and distant mountains and hills.
On the way back we had to find a narrow area of the river so the we could cross. We eventually picked a spot that wasn’t too deep, took off our boots, rolled up out pants, and made the adventurous crossing, bare foot and all. The river is clear, clean nd cooling on the feet.
Quite refreshing after our previous 3 miles of hiking the trail and up into the hill
The Santa Margarita River Trail offers two “paths” to hike along, one that gets you closer to the rivers edge and one that is elevated and detours you around thechallenging parts of the river trail.
Either way, as mentioned earlier, there is plenty of Poison Oak on this trial and from my 6 plus years of hiking San Diego County, the Sant Margarita River Trail has more Poison Oak than on any trail Ive hiked.
All due respect to the back country of Jullian and Palomar Mountain trails as well
A fun landmark along the way back at about mile 4 on the upper section of the trail was an old rusted out automobile hull, I’m guessing was at least 40 years old due to its all steel chassis (including the steering wheel) conuctrustion, bumper and all.
The rusted hull of a vehicle makes for great photo opportunities and discovery.
The Santa margarita River Trail also is lined with beautiful green vegetation, oaks and other vine like flour and fauna, making some of this trail feel lie a jungle hike amidst lush tropical dense rai forest like atmosphere. The trail back is quick and before you know it you will be back at the gated trailhead and the parking lot.
I always like finding new hiking spots and trails in a county we are so fortunate to have lots of diverse and beautiful hiking trails.
As always, don’t hike alone, respect your own limits, respect your partners limits, bring more water than you need and most important….have Fun!…Hike on!