Originally, the National Trails Day hike was going to be in Tecolote Canyon, but construction work on the sewer line that runs through the canyon prevented me from hosting it there. So, I moved the hike to Los Peñasquitos Canyon, but from the west end. Between the overcast weather we had been having and this last-minute location change, I expected a low turnout. As Ted and I waited, two hikers arrived to join us on our hike to the waterfall and back. Rick and Andrea missed the email and went to Tecolote Canyon, along with one other participant.
We passed under the road and hiked along the south side of the canyon until we reached the Sycamore Crossing. From there, we continued west until we reached the waterfall. While just past 9 am, it was busy. Once we were done enjoying the view, we retraced our route, but continued westward until the Wagon Wheel Crossing. One thing to be said about the west end of Peñasquitos Canyon is that the bridges are cooler. Before too long, we were back at the car. Our two hikers took some 52 Hike Challenge swag and some beverages from Athletic Brewing. Rick and Andrea had driven up to this trailhead and parked next to me. I left some swag on their car, but they arrived from their hike about 5 minutes later. After chatting for a bit, I headed out, as I was driving to Kingman, Arizona, to kick off my Arizona Summer Six Pack of Peaks Challenge.
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.