3 min
Overview
UPDATE 4/4/2019: Hiking at Hollenbeck Canyon, which is under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, now requires a CDFW Lands Pass. On lands pass properties, each visitor who is 16 years of age or older is required to carry a daily (1 day) or annual lands pass while on the property. You can purchase your pass here, print it at home, and carry it with you while you hike. (Don’t @ us. It wasn’t our idea. We know it’s very unpopular). East of east and south of south, urban San Diego dissipates into a patchwork quilt of semi-rural communities, open space preserves, and private ranchlands. Open grasslands, riparian canyons graced by old growth oaks and sycamores, and rugged, metavolcanic or granitic peaks characterize the region. Numerous rare and endangered species reside in these habitats, leading to a large percentage of this open space being set aside in the Multiple Species Conservation Plan and remaining off-limits to public use. One exception, and a beautiful one at that, is comely Hollenbeck Canyon lying just southeast of the town of Jamul. This looping route samples all of the aforementioned natural features on a passage through Hollenbeck Canyon and Jamul Creek Canyon by way of the ridge dividing the two watersheds. Interior summertime temperatures tend to scorch the vegetation into meek submission by September, but winter’s rains and spring’s mild temperatures paint the canyon in verdant colors. A March passage through the canyon reveals a carpet of thick, green grass, alluring fragrances from sagebrush and sage, and an array of different wildflower species on display. Wildlife also parades through the canyon, especially when the creek is running, and deer, coyote, reptile, rodent, and even bobcat sightings are a possibility. Starting from the dirt lot and signed staging area on Honey Springs Road, proceed northwest along the wide dirt trail up and over a gentle, grassy divide. Once over the divide, the trail descends into Hollenbeck Canyon. A gnarled oak tree, survivor of c
Trail Stats
10.3 km
152 m
401 m
215 m
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