nature – Page 7 – On the Loose Live

McGinty Mountain Trail: a sweet little gem in Jamul, CA

July 15, 2017July 17, 2017livevigorously

Location & directions

Trailhead: 13852-, 13998 Jamul Drive, Jamul, CA 91935

~25 miles from downtown San Diego.Take 94 East, exit at Campo Road. Follow Campo Road for ~ 4.5 miles, turn left onto Lyons Valley Road and then left on Jamul Drive and you’ll see the dirt turnout / parking lot at 0.4 mile.Trail starts at the kiosk.

Main trail

~5 mile out & back

1,400 feet gain & loss

Moderate to strenuous depending on your fitness level

Dog and mountain bike friendly

My take

Drove down from North County for this one and so happy I did. Had low expectations as I’d never heard of this trail, but was pleasantly surprised. What a sweet little gem. This area is part of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. Not as well known as many of the popular SD area hikes nearby Mount Woodson, Iron Mountain, and Cowles Mountain, but definitely a contender for it’s beauty and views.

It’s a great hike with mostly friendly terrain, except for the steepest area not far from the top, which was a bit of a rock field. (If you have tender feet, you might be happier in hiking shoes versus running shoes.) Don’t worry, the steepest area is fairly short so you won’t suffer long.) Mountain bikes are allowed, but I didn’t see any and there were only a few hikers sharing the trail. It’s a good spot for a trail run too. It’s a relatively quick hike and a lovely way to spend a morning or afternoon.

Highlights

Late season wildflowers and wonderful views of San Miguel Mountain and Tecate peak to the East, Mount Helix , Cowles Mountain, El Cajon Mountain, and even Cuyamaca in the distance – apparently on some days you can see all the way to Coronado, Point Loma and the expanse of Pacific. And hiking uphill is always more rewarding —better views and better workout!

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Rock scramble at the top – optional.

Caution

There are no trail signs so stay on the most obvious (widest & well traveled) route. (You can take a couple viewpoint detours, but return to the main trail.) Be on guard for rattle snakes and ticks and bring water. The trail is exposed the entire way so you’ll want to avoid hiking in the heat of the day.

For more info, visit:

US Fish & Wildlife Service: McGinty Mountain trailhead

View route or download GPX from CalTopo

Feline Distractions Post 3: A dieting Alfie wreaks havoc indoors & in the wild (Warning may be too graphic for sensitive viewers.)

July 11, 2017September 9, 2017livevigorously

Ok, so Alfie (a.k.a. the Alfinator) was getting a bit large even for his “tall, big-boned frame” and I had to put him on a little diet. He was approaching 19 lbs and it’s healthier for him to be in the 16 lb range.

The good news is Alfie is looking much better and has an extra spring in his step and his jump. The bad news, he’s turned into a grumpy scavenger and is wreaking havoc indoors and in the wild.

Of course, he disdainfully denies his involvement:

Alfie’s redefining mean & lean and channeling his predatory ancestors.

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Unfortunately the poor squirrel was DOA. : (

And then there was the giant locust I caught him with. When I approached, he started ingesting it head first, defying my command to drop it as he crunched away on in fiendish delight.

Not to be outdone, Lucky has been terrorizing the local lizard population.

Backyard Turf Wars – These two don’t see eye to eye.

Fortunately, I was able to rescue this one… I don’t like violence or senseless killing of any kind, but nature is cruel and cats are known to be among the cruelest. I do keep my eyes on my little rascals and intervene whenever possible.

Nature Meditation: 1st rain of the rainy season, Phuket, Thailand

July 4, 2017livevigorously

Enjoyed the first rain of the rainy season from the luxurious comfort of my room at Thanyapura Health and Sports Resort – see top pick post about my week at this active paradise.

My Room at Thanyapura

Nature Meditation: Spontaneous Spring, Fallbrook CA

February 22, 2017August 16, 2017livevigorously

My new Nature Meditation section is inspired by the CBS program Sunday Morning. It’s a homage to how they close the show with the sights and sounds of nature. Today, I leave you with a video of the spontaneous spring (a bonus from our recent rains) that I came across in a rocky alcove on my footless and fancy free, off-trail hike in Fallbrook last weekend.

Let me know if you’d like to see more of these.

Boise River Greenbelt: A shining example of riverbank restoration

November 28, 2016December 28, 2017livevigorously

Alas, every trip must come to its end. Enjoyed Sun Valley so much, I opted for another day there, which left me with only an hour or so to explore Boise before catching my flight. I opted for a leisurely ride along the Boise River Greenbelt. For a trip that started in Spokane with a bike ride, it seemed fitting to conclude with one in Boise. Read more →