Elsye W.

San Diego, CA

Joined July 2018

Life Explorer(Iiving in the fringes)/OutdoorsyGirl (hiked the PCT,CDT,AT)/Wine Lover

Hut Hiking the Presidential Range

The Appalachian Mountain Huts are backcountry locations and are “off the grid”. Mizpah Spring Hut has camping platforms and bunkrooms with toilets. This is backcountry so bunkhouses are not heated and have no lighting (bring headlamp). Plan to carry in/carry out all personal trash. It's a 3 mile hike to the hut from the trailhead. If you make reservations there is a great home cooked dinner and breakfast.

Where the desert meets the mountains

This is a great dispersed camping area at the base of the E. Sierras. Camping can be along any one of several dirt roads, explore a bit til you find just the right spot (existing sites are easy to pick out)! The town of Lone Pine is nearby but make sure you bring plenty of food and water. Pack in/Pack out. With Mt. Whitney as your back drop you really can't go wrong here.

Desert Delight

This is a great open camping area, you can camp near others or find a secluded spot of your own. There are fire rings, picnic tables, toilets and even showers. The days can get pretty warm but the evenings are beautiful and star filled! If you are not into 4 wheeling there are nice hiking trails in the area. Bring plenty of water and food (there is a store but things are pricey).

Beach camping

This campsite fills up fast. My friends had reservations for the weekend and we had a great time. When everyone left on Sunday afternoon the site just about emptied out. I decided to stay since the reservation was through Monday. I was able to back my back my suv up in another empty site and enjoy the sounds of the ocean all night!

Backpackers quick, quiet, getaway with views!

 Corte Madera Mountain in Cleveland National Forest, just east of San Diego. You will need a permit, but you can get a free permit emailed to you if you call the rangers station. The Trail is a 7.5 mile out and back trail near Morena Village. There are great views over

the Lake Morena area and the desert as you climb. At 4,657 feet, it is a continuous climb, so don’t forget to take plenty of water! Overall, great hike.  Campsites, at the summit, are just off trail surrounded by large granite boulders and great views.

Backpackers quick quiet get away with a view!

If you’re looking for a nice hike, in the wild, with few people around, this is the one. Corte Madera Mountain in Cleveland National Forest, just east of San Diego. You will need a permit to camp at the summit, but you can get a free permit emailed to you if you call the rangers station. 

The Trail is a 7.5 mile out and back trail near Morena Village. There are great views over the Lake Morena area and the desert as you climb. At 4,657 feet, it is a continuous climb, so don’t forget to take plenty of water! Overall, great hike. Camping was just off trail, at the summit, surrounded by large granite boulders,