Oak Canyon, a sycamore and oak lined ravine tucked into a pristine corner of Mission Trails Regional Park just west of Santee, is a nice easy trial that crosses paths with tons of other trails and offers some wonderful scenery. It really comes alive with a thin stream of gurgling water after some decent seasonal rains. There is a waterfall close to Highway 52 as you make your way to the Northern part of the tail. Unfortunately, most of the creek was dry on this outing. While we've had a bit of rain here in San Diego that has led to the appearance of thick carpets of green grass, the beautiful displays of annual and ephemeral wildflowers has not yet arrived.
Father & daughter shadows, about to embark.
Important signage at the trail head, located at the far west end of Mast Blvd in Santee.
This daddy/daughter hike from the grasslands loop to Oak Canyon falls was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon (even though I had to carry her on my shoulders on the way back) and made for the 9th hike for my participation in the 52 Hike Challenge.
I was happy to see how green everything is, but we still need more rain out here in the West. Unfortunately, when this all dries out in the summer, it'll make for lots of fuel for the fire season.
She was more than happy to run ahead and fill her pockets full of rocks along the way.
Most of the trail intersections are well marked with info on what's up ahead.
The Oak Canyon area is popular with hikers and mountain bikers, though bike riders are confined to dirt roads running along the canyon rim. Only hikers are allowed on the trail running through the most scenic, narrow section of the canyon.
I'm still wondering how Oak Canyon got its name...
We'll have to return to this trail when the creek starts flowing again.
Once you drop down into the canyon and the oaks, you can no longer see and almost not hear any of the sounds of civilization. It makes you temporarily forget you're near a dense urban area.
There were only a few rocky sections that I needed to help her over.
These foot bridges weren't here the last time I hiked the canyon a few years ago. Looks like they were put in so folks wouldn't have to wade across the creek when its flowing.
Care should be taken here after it rains and the water is flowing. I've seen people air-lifted from here who had slipped and fallen on the rocks.
Just beyond the falls is the Highway 52 bridge.
Here's a fellow adventurer with a great write up on the area: Last Adventurer - Oak Canyon
Check out the Mission Trail Regional Park Foundation site HERE.
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