52 Hike Challenge 2016 Adventure Series
8.75 miles | +1000'
Another adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail! Working away
at completing the entire route in San Diego County. Starting at Kitchen Creek
Road, this hike offers its best views along the initial climb, which overlooks
Cameron Valley. A gradual ascent passes chaparral slopes lined, in season, with
wildflowers.
Jutting from the hills like massive crystal formations are
rust colored gneissic rocks. Several of these rocky platforms offer ideal
points for taking in the view, which spans from the Mexican border to the
valley below. On this day I could see a massive smoke cloud from a fire that
appeared to be burning in Mexico.
The trail continues to climb, finally leveling off around
4300 feet. After dipping into a small oak grove containing a nice backcountry
campsite, crossing a normally dry creek bed, the trail ascends on the west side
of Fred Canyon. The final climb, past thick chamise shrubs, concludes at Fred
Canyon Road, 0.6 miles from Cibbets Flat Campground.
After retracing my steps back to where I parked, I crossed
Kitchen Creek Road and made my way south along the PCT for another mile to
where a user trail branches off towards Kitchen Creek Falls. While the Creek
was dry, I could see areas where the water level rises over polished stone that
would provide tranquil swimming holes in the Spring. A number of bats flying
overhead kept me company on my way back to the trailhead... along with what
sounded like a female mountain lion calling in the distance.
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