Eagle Rock Trailhead via the Pacific Crest Trail
Eagle Rock Trail is an easy-to-moderate hike for all ages and experience levels. Although it is longer (6.4 miles), it is one of the easiest hikes I have done in San Diego!
Difficulty: easy-to-moderate, good for all ages
Location: Warner Springs, CA (1 hour and 30 minutes from Downtown San Diego)
Trailhead Address: 31049 Hwy 79, Warner Springs, CA 92086
Distance: 6.4 miles
Time: 2-4 hours out-and-back, depending on your experience/ fitness level
Trail type: out-and-back
Traffic: Light/ Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1100 ft
Best Time to visit: March - October; early morning or in the evening when the temperatures are cool
Parking: Free parking across the street from the Fire Station (CAL Fire Warner Springs Station #52)
Animals: Dog and Horses allowed (please bring water!! I would not advise taking pets during the summer heat)
Bathrooms: There is a porta-potty at the beginning of the trailhead
Hours of Operation: Open all year
Fees/ Permits: N/A
Water sources: N/A Take plenty of water in your bag (it's a 6 mile hike!), and have an extra water bottle in your car for after your hike.
Food: I advise you eat before going and having some kind of fruit (banana, orange) and/or a protein bar to enjoy at Eagle Rock :)
Shade: You will walk through a meadow giving you shade the first half of the trail. Protect yourself with a hat, sunglasses, a long-sleeve shirt, and wear your water-proof sunscreen! This trail is out in the middle of the desert; you will need the protection the last half of the trail where there isn't any shade.
After the meadow, you will be in the open desert! At some point you will hit an intersection; continue straight through it to stay on the Eagle Rock trail.
You will see that looks like a large pile of rocks around mile 3. You have to follow the path to the left (if you follow it to the right, your destination will be the same, just .5 miles longer). Once you turn the corner, the rocks will finally look like Eagle Rock, and you've reached your destination!
