San Elijo Lagoon–Annie’s Trail and Canyon

Last February I blogged of hiking to the Solana Beach Sand Canyons.   For a very long time this area was known as the ‘Mushroom Caves’ and/or the ‘Sand Canyons’.  The area was dangerous and closed to the public, even when I ventured in last year, with Dave, my local guide.  That only kept out the less adventurous, certainly not the local artists, nor Dave and I.

Thanks to generous donations trail restoration and graffiti removal was completed in June 2016.  The trail is named Annie’s Canyon Trail to honor of ‘Annie’, a long time supporter of the conservancy, but the carvings into the fragile sandstone could not be completely removed.  Today seemed like a good day to revisit.

After checking the San Diego County Parks website to ensure there were no trail closures, there were none listed. I planned to enter from the Solana Hills trailhead, hiking thru Annie’s Canyon and beyond.  Alas Solana Hills trailhead is closed!  The North Rios trailhead is open, so we’ll start from there.


The trail is wide and well maintained.  There is a lot of native vegetation being planted along the trail and at the entrance to the canyon.


The one-way loop thru the canyon is not near as strenuous!  HA! The graffiti has been removed, but hand holds, steps and even a ladder have been added.  Still there are indeed some very narrow passages and difficult sections.  This hike remains best done with a partner.

The canyon narrows quickly from the opening.  The slot canyons to the sides remain closed with friendly ‘I live here’ signs.



Altho the spray paint artwork has been removed the carvings into the soft sandstone can still be seen.  And where Dave and I had to wedge ourselves into the slot there is now a ladder!  Well that first rung is over 3’ from the closest decent foothold.


The views from the top today were awesome!  No wind and clear sky made for deep colors in the lagoon.


To the east the trail continues under I-5 the La Orilla (the shore) trailhead.  That would make this a 6 mile loop, but the rest would be level.


But La Orilla trail is closed as is Santa Carina that we would need!  ARG – this should have been on the website!


As we return to the Rios trailhead we take our time to follow the shore of the lagoon.  There’s more bird watching to be done and new benches to enjoy the birds and the views.


Unable to hike to the north side of the lagoon, I decide to drive us there … it’s not really cheating when the trails are closed





Next up replace the blown duct!

I remain committed to having a sticks'n'stucco  house in San Diego, but finding out this is why there’s no heat makes me wonder!  A blown 9” duct that feeds the downstairs bedrooms and bath.  I simply taped it off while waiting for some 9” flex duct from Home Depot.  At least the rest of the house can now have some heat.



I'll close with a request for support for Lynne B. who publishes WinieViews, an awesome blog of her travels as a naturalist, photographer, adventurer, volunteer in the US and Mexico.  Her post 'Life turns to a new direction' carries disappointing news from a fellow blogger.  Prayers for a speedy recovery Lynne!

Hiking The San Elijo Lagoon to the Sand Canyons

The west secion of the San Elijo Lagoon would be a super easy stroll with lots of opportunities to bird watch if only going along the path, and follow the trail to the top of the Sand Canyons.  At the top of the canyons there is about a 6 foot butt slide into the slot and it’s all a narrow downhill from there.  I mention this up front because that was not how it went.

I started out to do the Broken Hill trail in Torrey Pines that is the Best-Of for sunsets mentioned in my previous post, but the light is flat with no chance of a green flash.  So I go north another exit on I-5 to Lomas Santa Fe.


The trails are wide and well maintained, and popular with joggers, dog walkers, bird watchers.  This section of  lagoon itself is a series of interconnected marshes, between I-5 on the east and San Elijo Beach and Campground on the west.  For a shorter stroll there is an interpretive trail back to the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, apparently with a fair size blue belly lizard as a guide.





There are a few well marked side trails.  Perhaps a red-throated hummer would be a decent guide.


It is on this diversion I meet ‘Dave’ a local resident smoking on the bench I came to sit on.


Since we are the only 2 around we chat a bit. 
Dave: ‘Where ya heading?’
Me: ‘Thought I’d check out the sand canyons, been there?’
Dave: ‘Sure, I’ve been hiking this lagoon for 50 years and now it’s home.  But I’d not go in there... Too dangerous!’

Yes Dave means the Lagoon is ‘home’ in every sense of the word.  He indeed lives 'nearby'.

Me: ‘Just out for the walk and needed a destination.’
Dave: ‘ I’ll show them to you, mind if I come along?’
Me: ‘I welcome the company, pleased to meet you Dave.’

So Dave, as my new BFF off we go.   The trees are buzzing with bees enjoying blooms.


At first view the sand canyons are impressive, but do not appear as dangerous as Dave implied.


Looks like staghorn fern clinging to the west facing wall of the first slot canyon. 
Dave: ‘ Let’s go to the top!’
Me: thinking what happened to danger?


OK the slots are narrow, very narrow!, but on the bright side it is impossible to fall … or, on the other side, impossible to turn back.  At some point long ago hand and footholds have been carved into the sandstone.  Not recent enough as they are very well worn, even dangerously worn.


Over the decades kids of all ages have left their signature in this cave.


On the far wall a more ambitious set of ‘steps’ are carved into the wall.


If you are going up from the bottom a partner is required!  A partner you can trust!  I only met Dave a half hour ago and now we have a 6 foot vertical to ascend.  May not sound like much and with my back braced against one wall and my feet on the other I make it easily to a small 12” ledge.  But altho well braced, I’m backwards on the ledge.  I give Dave a hand up, who has to step on me to be facing forwards in the last slot. 

But alas I’m still stuck and Dave is facing the wrong way to help.  We finally figure it out and with some loss of skin, a bit of blood, we are on the top!


Me: ‘When was the last time you were up here?’
Dave: ‘1979, highschool graduation.’
Dave: ‘Not bad for an old guy!’
Me: 'sigh' feeling a bit insulted …
Dave: ‘I’m 59, got to be the oldest person to make it up the canyon!’
Me: ‘Dave, you can say that in another decade.’
Dave: ‘You’re 69!?!?’
Me: ‘Almost.’
Dave: ‘You’re F*n ancient!, How did you get up here?’
Me: ‘With your help Dave.’

So we agreed that we’ll meet again at the top in a decade, Dave deserves to have 'my record'.  If you do hike the lagoon, or attempt the canyon, and meet a tall fella picking up litter or having a smoke on the bench – say Howdy to Dave for me.  He’s one of the good guys.

And where are we standing on the top?  Remember that wide well maintained trail … it goes to top.
Advice: Butt slide into the canyon from the top and work your way down!

Next up: Camping with the Grand-girls.