Coast to Crest Trail Challenge Year 6
The “Best of” Series
We asked. You answered.
Year 6 of the Coast to Crest Trail Challenge features your favorite hikes from the first five years. The “best of” series for 2022-23 takes you from the scrubby foothills of Bernardo Summit to the pine forest on Volcan Mountain, with plenty of oaks and grasslands in between! So, let’s lace up those boots and thanks so much for voting on this year’s hikes!
We look forward to seeing all your photos, inspiration spots and hearing about your trail experiences!
Details
- Finish the five hikes by June 30, 2023; complete the hikes in any order.
- Take a fun selfie during each hike. Shoot those selfies anywhere along the trail that inspiration strikes; we’re not assigning specific selfie spots this year. Feel free to get creative! At the end of this year’s challenge, we will be picking our favorite photo and the winner(s) will receive a vintage Coast to Crest Trail shirt!
- For verification, email us five selfies— one from each hike— as full-size, jpg or png files to: sdrvc@sdrvc.org. Include names of everyone shown in the photos (that goes for dogs, too!)
- If you post your selfies, tag us: @sdrvc and you will be entered into a drawing to receive a SDRVC T-shirt (drawings held monthly)
- PLEASE include your mailing address, so we can send you your finishers packets -a certificate of completion and a 2022-2023 C2C patch.
- Reward yourself for all your hard work! We recommend treating yourself with food and drink from a local small business-we’ve suggested a motivation destination near each hike.
Hike 1: Volcan Mountain via Five Oaks (5.5 miles, moderate to strenuous)
Two trails take visitors to the summit of Volcan Mountain, with beautiful oaks and sweeping views from the desert to the ocean! We recommend forking onto the Five Oaks Trail for the uphill portion of the hike.
Trail Map PDF
ALL NEW- Hike preview video tour!
Motivation Destination: Regulars Wanted Beanery, 1921 Main Street, Julian, (760) 765-2900
Hike 2: Bernardo Mountain Summit via Lake Hodges Pedestrian Bridge (6.6 miles, moderate to strenuous)
The 990-foot-long David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge is the longest stress ribbon structure in the world and was completed in 2009. From there, continue up to the top of Bernardo Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views!
AllTrails.com webpage
Trail Map PDF
ALL NEW- Hike preview video tour!
Motivation Destination: The Cork and Craft, 16990 Via Tazon, San Diego, (858) 618-2463 NOTE: CLOSED SUNDAY and MONDAY
Hike 3: Blue Sky Canyon Trail (5.3 miles, moderate)
Shaded riparian and oak woodland followed by a loop around Lake Poway with scenic views.
Trail Map PDF
ALL NEW- Hike preview video tour!
Motivation Destination: The Hop Stop, 14055 Midland Rd Poway, CA 92064, (858) 883-4645.
Hike 4: Santa Ysabel East, West Vista Loop (4.2 miles, moderate to strenuous)
This trail winds through a beautiful California chaparral ecosystem of sage, manzanita, and oak. The route is a challenging uphill for the first section, with a flatter section for the loop around the top.
Trail Map PDF
ALL NEW- Hike preview video tour!
Motivation Destination: Wynola Pizza & Bistro, 4355 Hwy 78 Santa Ysabel, CA, (760) 765-1004.
Hike 5: Raptor Ridge (4.6 miles, easy to moderate)
Travel alongside the San Dieguito River riparian area and wind through the City of San Diego’s San Pasqual Agricultural Preserve before the trail becomes more challenging as it climbs along Raptor Ridge.
Trail Map PDF
ALL NEW- Hike preview video tour!
Motivation Destination: Cordiano Winery, 15732 Highland Valley Rd, Escondido, CA, (760) 469-9463