Episode 82 Elfin Forest Recreational Preserve
October 28, 2011
Olivenhain Reservoir from the Escondido Overlook
I wanted to get in one last tough trail to better prepare myself for Half Dome and in this episode I decided to head off to the Elfin Forest Recreational Preserve’s Way Up and Lake Hodges Overlook Trails.
One of San Diego County’s most precious natural resources, the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve offers approximately 11 miles of hiking, mountain biking, equestrian trails, as well as primitive picnic areas and scenic mountain viewing points. In addition, the natural beauty of the Reserve includes such native plant communities as oak riparian, oak woodland, coastal sage scrub and chaparral.
In this episode I hike up to the Lake Hodges Overlook and check out the sights along the way. I experiment with my new Canon Camera and GoPro HD Helmet rigged up with a Chesty harness.
TRAIL VIDEO – shot in High Definition
LINKS:
- Elfin Forest Recreational Preserve – Olivenhain Municipal Water District Official Site
- Local Hikes – Elfin Forest Recreational Preserve
- Trail Map and Botanical Guide – Download Trail and Plant Guide
Episode 81 Cucamonga Peak Day Hike
September 30, 2011
Bighorn Sheep near Icehouse Saddle
In this episode, Gerry, Dave and I take a hike up Icehouse Canyon to visit the summit of CucamongaPeak, one of the tallest and most prominent Peaks in the Los Angeles Basin. At an elevation of 8859 feet, it sets itself apart from nearby Ontario Peak and others overlooking the southland, and its sheer drop to the west affords a magnificent view over southern California.
Vernal Falls Yosemite National Park
Hello and welcome back to another edition of Anthony’s Audio Journal, Episode 80, “Over the Edge”. The recent rash of hiking accidents and deaths lately made me realize just how dangerous hiking in and around waterfalls can be. In this episode I talk about the recent rash of hiking accidents and deaths in America’s waterfalls.
LINKS:
- Vernal Falls Video
- Another Hiker Dies in Eaton Canyon – KABC 7 Los Angeles
- Cedar Creek Falls – CBS 8 San Diego
- Crazy Guy on edge of Niagara Falls
Santa Margarita River Trail
July 8, 2011
Mossy waters along the Santa Margarita River
In this episode I take a hike along the banks of the Santa Margarita River in Fallbrook California, one of the few remaining wild rivers left in the state. I had been to a small section of this scenic river a few years back on a short hike with my dog and it was time I returned for more exploration. I shot an HD video of my solo adventure. Be sure to check out the video on Youtube
Santa Margarita River Trail Video
I also took photos along the way
LINKS
- Kayaking the Santa Margarita River
- R.E.I. Video review of Smartwool Arm Warmers
- Fallbrook Source – Great info on the trail with maps
- Trimble Outdoors – GPS Routes and waypoints of Santa Margarita River Trail
My Review of SmartWool Arm Warmers
June 10, 2011
SmartWool arm warmers let you keep an extra layer of warmth at the ready. They’re great for cool morning rides.
We should all have a pair
Sizing: Feels true to size
Pros: Breathable, Warm comfy, Lightweight
Best Uses: Road Biking, Backpacking, Cold Weather, Mountain Biking, Hiking
Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational
Was this a gift?: No
I always get hot when I start up the trail, especially when carrying a pack. I start off with a windshell and within a short time I’m sweating and have to take the jacket off and lash it to my pack the rest of the day. These arm warmers are the perfect answer to our problems. They provide just enough warmth at the start of the hike to leave the jacket home. If you take them backpacking they weigh almost nothing and feel great in the early mornings or after you’ve got camp set up and the temps start to drop. Because they’re only sleeves they allow you to vent properly. The smartwool breathes really well and work fantastic with the warmth they provide. Taking them off is as simple as a tug on each wrist and rolling them into a ball to tuck into a side pocket of your shorts. These things will go on every hike with me from now on, part of my 11 essentials.
Episode 78 Greatest Adventure Novels
May 27, 2011
A few years ago, National Geographic Magazine printed a list of their 100 greatest adventure novels based on input from their subscribers of their “Adventure Magazine”. I remember seeing this list and was surprised just how many of the top 100 book I had read over the years. On days when I can’t get out into the wild I find it relaxing just sitting back reading a book about some of the most famous exploits of some of the greatest explorers the world has ever known. Some folks are just born explorers while others just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and miraculously survive their ordeal and it makes for terrific reading. I said that I enjoy a good book now and then to relax, well, some of this stories had me so knotted up, sweat rolled off my forehead while I read the horrifying accounts of mountaineers, artic explorers, sailors or jungle travelers. In this podcast I take you along with me while I organize my book shelf.
Maybe you’ve got some of these terrific adventures too, let’s go check it out.
LINKS:
- National Geographic’s 100 Greatest Adventure Novels
- Worst Journey in the World
- Adrift – 76 Days adrift at sea
- Into This Air
Episode 77 Goat Canyon Trestle
April 24, 2011
Looking across Goat Canyon Trestle
In this episode Gerry, John, Aaron and I head out to the Anza Borrego Desert State Park in inland San Diego County to visit the historic Goat Canyon Trestle, the tallest and longest curved wooden train trestle in the world, hidden away in the desolate Carrizo Gorge section of the desert.
LINKS:
- “Impossible Railroad” by Richard Dodge
- Carrizo Gorge Railway
- Stowell.Org – Maps, photos, trail notes
- Miles Todd Crash Video – Excellent video of a mountain bike crash near the trestle
- More Miles Todd information – check out the photos
Episode 76 Santa Rosa Plateau
March 25, 2011
Poppies near the Vernal Pools
In this episode Dave and I take a scenic stroll through a magnificent 7,000 acre ecological preserve and explore its rare Vernal Pools, the Genesis of life for many endangered species. We also check out the small Juan Moreno Adobe, the oldest building in Riverside County. Along the way we enjoy a warm spring day and sprawling views over a grass covered mesa. We also check out some of the last remaining Englemann Oaks in Southern California; All coming up in this episode of Anthony’s Audio Journal, The Santa Rosa Preserve.
Links:
Episode 75 Echo Mountain and the Mt. Lowe Railway
February 24, 2011
Inspiration Point near Mt Lowe
This episode is about our adventure to visit the historic remains of the Echo Mountain Resort and the Mt. Lowe Railway. We hike up the Sam Merrill Trail to Echo Mountain and explore the foundations and walls of the former Echo Mountain House and Chalet while enroute to see tremendous views over the southland. From here we headed up toward the Mt. Lowe Trail Camp and site of the Ye Alpine Tavern. We also check out Inspiration Point before heading down the Castle Canyon Trail back to our cars.
Links:
Mt. Lowe Preservation Society – History, timeline, photos
Mt. Lowe Railway Historical Newsreel – Classis B&W short film
Episode 74 Tenaja Falls and Fisherman’s Camp
January 22, 2011
Tenaja Falls
This episode is about our short day hike to visit the Tenaja Falls and Fisherman’s Camp in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness of the Cleveland National Forest. Dave and I enjoy the brilliant sunshine and unusually warm January temperatures to hike up the Tenaja Falls Trail.
With a drop of 140 feet, Tenaja Falls is one of the most scenic vistas along the Santa Ana Mountain range. Timing is a big factor to view this waterfall at its grandeur and we made the hike just a few weeks after a large storm dumps 15 inches of rain into Southern California.
Fisherman’s Camp is just a few miles off a spur trail from the Tenaja Falls Trail so Dave and I made the side trip to visit this historic fishing destination.
LINKS:
- Cleveland National Forest – Official Site
- Tenaja Falls Trail – Brian & Ashley’s Hiking Blog
- Los Angeles Swimming – Diving off the falls Video on youtube
Videos:
- Video of our hike – On Youtube
- Maxpedition Malaga at Tenaja Falls – My new pack review on Youtube
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