After exploring Chollas Lake, I decided to explore nearby Emerald Hill Canyon. The parking lot at the Emerald Hills Neighborhood Park was almost empty and red wooden stairs led the way down the hillside. From there, the trail was actually paved, although it could use some plant maintenance, as the brush was starting to become overgrown. Once the trail reached the canyon floor, the pavement ended, and it then turned east to parallel Hwy. 94. Unlike other canyon hikes I have recently done, this one never left the noise of the city behind. The trail quickly ended at Federal Blvd., so I retraced my route back to the car.
I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.