Hi Hikers,

I hope
everyone is finding some relief from the high temperatures this week. I think
sitting by the falls in Escondido
Canyon would be a great
way to beat the heat and if you came on our hike last Saturday you would know
what I mean. As I missed sending out the newsletter from the hike two weeks ago
at Lower Zuma Trails here it is first then later tonight I’ll send out
this week’s newsletter.

Lower Zuma Trails Hike

Lower Zuma
Trails are located off PCH at Baniff Dr. Drive
to the dirt parking area at the end of the road. You will find hiking maps of
the trails located at the start of the trail. It’s a fun workout with
several trails to hike from easy to difficult and most can be completed in a
few hours.

The morning
was foggy but as most of our hikes start out along the coast this was normal. Tisa came with
one of her daughters Morgan, along with Carissa and Marcus, Lois, Athena, I,
and after we started the hike Joyce showed up to join us. Mary and the girls
had car trouble and Frank was on
vacation.

The bugs in
the parking area seemed to be the only ones that bothered us that day which was
great (no deer flies) and other than some high brush that was scratchy.
Everyone was ready except Joyce hadn’t shown yet, so we
waited a few more minutes then started out. We had a good workout ahead as the
Ocean View Trail climbs 1200’ in 1.2 miles then we would come back down
1.3 miles on the Canyon View Trail. We had only covered about one third of a
mile when we noticed a Joyce in the parking lot below. After yelling and
getting her attention I ran back down the trail to get her while the group
continued to the top and the view of the Pacific Ocean.
Overcastted as it was that morning the view from the top was still beautiful to
see.  After Joyce and I caught up
with the group we then continued on the Canyon View Trail back down to the
bottom. Along the way we were lucky enough to see two California
Diamondback Rattlesnakes both sunning themselves on the trail. After reaching
the creek bed we then hiked up Zuma creek to the end of the trail which is .7
miles from the Canyon Trail Sign. The water was very low and not much to look at so after stopping for a
quick rest we hiked back but took the Zuma Loop Trail adding 1.3 miles more to
the hike. By the time we finished hiking we all agreed that something to eat
and drink would be great.

As it turns
out there is a restaurant located on PCH just south of Baniff Dr. called Malibu
Cantina that we ended up at. The food was very good and the Margaritas not bad
either. After a few hours of laughing and drinking all of us said bye till next
weeks hike at Escondido Canyon Natural Area on July 16.

If you want to
beat the heat and exercise too come out hiking with us on Saturday mornings. We
welcome both beginners and intermediate as well as advance hikers.

Daniel

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