Oct 27 2008
Spines to Pines
I was browsing Jerry Schad’s A Foot and a Field in San Diego County and I learned that there is a new trail currently developed that will ultimately go all the way from Torrey Pines State Reserve to Anza Borrego Desert State Park. The trail covers habitats from ocean to mountain to desert over a variety of terrain. Interestingly, the trails are isolated enough to allow hikers to see more wildlife. Since I know we will never complete this trail, therefore, we had our own version of Pines to Spines Trail last weekend, but it was a drive and hike 
. We drove to Spines, and walk one mile. Drove to mountains, and hike 5 miles. Drove to Pines, and hike 4 miles again. Yes, from desert, to mountains to oceans, that’s what we did! But with the aid of our vehicle 
haha! And since we did not have to avoid civilization, our route is a lot shorter than the hiking route for we did not have to climb several mountains. From this trip, you can guess how much geological diversity is there in San Diego County.
Our Spines to Pines trip, all within San Diego County:
I. San Diego to Spines, Morning: From Highway 15, we took Scripps Poway Parkway to 67 North, continuing to 78 East, then taking 79 North to S2 and then S22 to Borrego Springs.
Spine @ Anza Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center
From Borrego Springs, we take S-22 East to Font’s Point.
Badlands Across to Mexico, @ Font’s Point
Badlands as Far as Your Eyes Can See, Font’s Point
Badlands Up Close
Looking West from Font’s Point to Our Next Destination
From Font’s Point, we moved west to Tamarisk Grove Campground for more Spines and did the 1 mile Cactus Loop Trail.
Cactus Loop Trail @ Anza Borrego
II. Spines to Mountains, Mid-day. From Tamarisk we took 78 West and then 79 South to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and did a 5 mile hike looping around Lake Cuyamaca and to Stone Wall Gold Mine.
Start of our Hike @ Lake Cuyamaca Loop to Stone Wall Gold Mine
Pines and Oaks ( just imagine East of this Forest is Anza Borrego Desert )
Hiking to Historical Stone Wall Gold Mine Site
If only these leaves would turn into real Gold, then, we can retire
The Stone Wall Mine Site
$2,000,000 worth of gold in 1893 (how much would that now be?) excavated in this 30-ft shaft alone
Since The State Park is an Archaelogical Site, and No Excavation Allowed, We Settled for This Gold
More Gold with A Dash of Iron
Stepped on Fallen Apples @ the Trail
Apples
Almost Done
One more Look at the Lake before we move closer to the Pacific Ocean
III. Mountains to Pines by the Sea, Late Afternoon. Drive Back to San Diego by taking 79 South to I-8 West to I-5 North to the Pines part of the Spines to Pines Trail, @ Torrey Pines State Reserve (our route was a loop ). As I told fellow San Diegan blogger Frigga, I had been going to the mountains and desert lately forgetting for a short time what is closest to us, the ocean. Her picture brought a reminder for me to feel the ocean breeze again on my skin and listen to the magical and powerful sound of the waves. And by the ocean, is my favorite place on Earth, if there is anywhere I wanted to be if I would be ask for only one choice, then, by the ocean it would be! Only that living in San Diego affords us the experience and enjoyment of all these three different atmospheres, the ocean, mountains and desert.
Squid (we got there at low tide )
Gulls
Just Landed Gull
Broken Hill
Torrey Pines By the Hill
Broken Hill
Sun Sets on Thick Marine Layer Over Torrey Pines
Spines (Left) Meet Pines (back of Broken Hill) @ Torrey Pines State Reserve
That was a lovely but long day. Actually, when we got to Torrey Pines, I was so dismayed, since I enjoyed immensely the blue sky at the desert and mountains. But when we got at Torrey Pines, the marine layer was so thick, it was so overly foggy. I did not think I could take any picture because of poor visibility. I actually at first left my backpack, thinking I will just finish our trip by hiking to Broken Hill. But then, I saw my hubby bringing his backpack. I asked him why, he said for weight training, so, I followed him. I told myself, okay, for weight training! I am glad I brought my camera and tripod for weight training, though the sunset was not one of Torrey Pines’ best, but at least, the fog cleared a bit for me to take some pictures of the gulls and hills, and it was my first time to see a squid breathing on sand. We can never tell indeed how situations will change in the great outdoors.
I will never get tired of looking on those photos of foliage. I just love the colors of the leaves. and by the way, i also love the photo of the seagulls in flight. good job.
thanks, ruthi, heidi, melissa and nova.
@ melissa, don’t worry, we’re wimp like you maybe as we do not go into places which are not state park or national park territory, or if not a state park or national park, at least closer to civilization, here in san diego. i think it is the unique topography of a lot of rolling hills here that you just walked a little bit, and then you feel like you’re out of civilization already, we call it out of civilization in a matter of minutes, yet you know you are still within the city. it is too close yet it behaves so far. those places we’ve been, @ anza borrego, cuyamaca rancho state park and torrey pines are actually popular outdoors destination here, especially torrey pines which is still part of san diego city. The Badlands, is very popular for photographers. There is a small town, Borrego Springs, and a bigger town, Julian close enough to the Badlands. And there are Park Rangers too usually roaming around, in Cuyamaca it is cute since park rangers are on a horse. There are no reported vandalism at all for vehicles parking in Anza Borrego Desert, unlike other state parks probably across the nation which are closer to a major city. They think the reason to this maybe the people that goes there are all nature lovers, would want to connect with nature. There are more reported killings in a very tough urban city. The desert has no mountain lions and black bears too. Rattlesnakes @ the badlands would be least likely since it is not as bushy compared to other parts of desert which has more vegetation. But of course, there is no 100% threat sealed place.
The pictures depict so much interesting scenery and that is all is in one kind of place makes it really magnificent. Keep positing these lovely pics.
We’re headed to San Diego in the spring so I’m hoping to look into some the locales you’ve pointed out here.
Thanks a lot everyone.
@ yanjaren, thanks, actually, that is what i feel a lot of times whenever i am out there admiring the beauty that nature has created. when i was on top of the badlands, i actually really was in tears, for it was hard for me to believe what i was seeing, a land that was harshly scuplted for millions of years by erosion, yet a few miles from it is a forest. i can’t help always but be thankful to our God.
@Vixen, we went there last Sunday the 26th. I think you were early. I emailed you.
@ Jennifer, if ever you have some questions on your plans, just let me know, I would be glad to share.
@My Bug Life, am glad you like the desert landscape, the desert, beautiful it may be, but i know it is not for everyone.
This is why I love visiting your page… when I’m having a bad day, I can come here and escape into the beauty of these images!! Gorgeous… look at that sunset!