Banner showing panorama from the Blue Stone Chair on Fletcher Point on Lake Hodges.

Lake Hodges Recreation Area - Photo Tour
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This website provides a photographic tour of the Lake Hodges Recreation Area. The discussion and photos below are a partial review of what to see in the Lake Hodges Area. The images presented here were taken between the years of 2013 and 2020 over all seasons of the year. Most of the images were taken from along trails associated with the San Diego River Parks system. Others were taken during kayaks excursions on the lake.

Note that there has been significant changes to the vegetation on the landscape over the period that these photographs wee taken. The Witch Creek Fire of 2007 burned through the whole area. Only small patches of the landscape were not burned, and those areas are now refugia for many species that once dominated larger areas of the landscape. A period of severe drought between 2011 and 2017 also contributed significant damage. Conservation effort are underway to re-establish native species to burn areas and remove invasive species with varying degrees of success.

This website is a companion to:

 Click on images for a larger view.
Trail Map of the Lake Hodges region on a satellite image background.
Fig. 1. Satellite map showing trails and landscape features of the Lake Hodges Recreation Area and vicinity.
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Trails, Boating, and Park Facilities

Lake Hodges facilities are only open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and are closed December through January (during bird nesting season). This applies to access to Lake Hodges Visitor Center, driving on park road and parking areas, and fishing and boating access to the reservoir.

San Dieguito River Park Trail hours: Open: 6 A.M. Daily, Close: 6 P.M. Oct. 1 - March 31; 7:30 P.M. April 1 - Sept. 30. Night time trail use is prohibited.

The park facilities and trails may be closed during stormy weather or during high-risk wildfire warning periods. For more information see the Lake Hodges website (City of San Diego).

Developed and maintained sections of the Coast to Crest Trail runs along the North Shore of Lake Hodges and the Piedras Pintadas Trails on the south shore. Below Lake Hodges Dam, the trail continues westward as the Santa Fe Valley and Del Dios Gorge Trail. To the east of Lake Hodges, the trail system continues through the San Pasqual Valley as the Mule Hill Trail and Highland Valley Trail (east of I-15).

Some of the trail sections discuss below are on narrow paths with limited maintenance. During wet periods, these trails may become severely overgrown and largely inaccessible. Many former, unofficial trails are now closed for habitat restoration efforts. Note that encountering rattlesnakes, ticks, and other wildlife is always a possibility, and poison oak, cactus and other hostile vegetables may be encountered along the narrow trails.

Click on the small maps to see larger maps that show the location where pictures were taken.
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Coast To Crest Trail - Hodges Dam to Del Dios Community Park

The Coast to Crest Trail runs along the north shore of Lake Hodges. The images below are selected views between the Rattlesnake Viewpoint below Lake Hodges Dam and Del Dios Community Park. The trail is mostly level, but some sections are rocky. Some sections are narrow, so mountain bikers need to especially cautious and courteous with hikers. The northern part of this trail section runs along Lake Drive in Del Dios. Parking along Lake Drive is limited.		 Map of trail picture locations on Lake Hodges west shore.
Lage Hodges Dam from viewpoint along the Coast To Crest Trail
Fig. 2. Lake Hodges Dam from Rattlesnake Overlook.		 Rocky section of the CTC Trail south of Hernandez Hideaway.
Fig. 3. Rocky section of the Coast To Crest Trail.		 Picnic bench along the CTC Trail along the west shore.
Fig. 4. Picnic bench along the CTC Trail - west shore.		 CTC Trail near the Pumped Storage Facility
Fig. 5. CTC Trail near the Pumped Storage Facility.
Pumping and hydroelectric station along the shore of Lake Hodges that is connected to Olivenhain Reservoir.
Fig. 6. Lake Hodges Pumped Storage Facility.		 Float barrier near the Pumped Storage Facility
Fig. 7. Float barrier near the Pumped Storage Facility inlet.		 View of the Pass from the CTC Trail near Hernandez Hideaway.
Fig. 8. View of the Pass from the CTC Trail near HH.		 Trail mileage sign for Coast to Crest Trail near Hernandez Hideaway.
Fig. 9. Coast to Crest Trail sign at Hernandez Hideaway.
Hernandez Hideaway, a Del Dios restaurant legend.
Fig. 10. Hernandez Hideaway, a Del Dios restaurant legend.		 Bench with Del Dios sign next to parking area near Hernandex Hideaway on Lake Drive.
Fig. 11. Del Dios sign bench near Hernandez Hideaway.		 CTC Trail near kiosk for shoreline access area.
Fig. 12. CTC Trail near kiosk for shoreline access area.		 Debris flow boulders on the shore of Lake Hodges near the Coast To Crest Trail in Del Dios.
Fig. 13. Shoreline view of the Del Dios Highlands.
Coast To Crest Trail along the Lake Hodges Shoreline in Del Dios.
Fig. 14. Shoreline overlook in Del Dios along CTC Trail.		 Riparian forest along the Coast To Crest Trail near the Del Dios Community Park.
Fig. 15. Del Dios Community Park along CTC Trail.		 Hodgee tree carving statue near stop sign in Del Dios Community Park.
Fig. 16. Hodgee tree carving in Del Dios Community Park.		 Kiosk at Del Dios Community park with CTC Trail.
Fig. 17. CTC Trail kiosk at Del Dios Community Park.
Panoramic view from the picnic table area on a small bay along the CTC Trail with a good view of the high cliffs and canyons on the south shore including Alva Canyon.
Fig. 18. Panoramic view from the picnic table area on a small bay along the Coast To Crest Trail. This location provides a good view of the high cliffs and canyons on the south shore including Alva Canyon (right of center).
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Coast To Crest Trail - Park Entrance to Visitor Center Park Area

The Coast To Crest Trail continues east from Del Dios Community Park and runs parallel to the park road (Lake Hodges Way) to the Visitor Center (concession store with large parking lot). Along the way there are several side trails that spur off on either side of the road including a path along Del Dios Creek, a path to the Fishing Dock, and an unmaintained trail that leads through a granite boulder outcrop area (the Granite Boulders Highlands Trail discussed below). 		North shore map - park entrance to Visitor Center area.
Sign at the entrance to Lake Hodges.
Fig. 19. Sign at the entrance to Lake Hodges.		 Del Dios Community Park kiosk and picnic bench.
Fig. 20. Park rules kiosk in Del Dios Community Park.		 Coast to Crest Trail mileage sign in Del Dios Community Park
Fig. 21. CTCT mileage sign in Del Dios Community Park.		 Entrance to Park Road at dip on Del Dios Creek.
Fig. 22. Lake Hodges Way dips across Del Dios Creek.
Del Dios Creek Trailhead near the community park.
Fig. 23. Del Dios Creek path near park entrance.		 Riparian habitat along Del Dios Creek in Del Dios Community Park.
Fig. 24. Del Dios Creek riparian habitat near shore.		 Del Dios Creek oak forest and trail.
Fig. 25. Oak forest along Del Dios Creek and path.		 A tree tunnel along Lake Drive near Del Dios.
Fig. 26. A tree tunnel along Lake Drive near Del Dios.
Trailhead for the Boulder Highlands Trail.
Fig. 27. Trailhead for Granite Boulder Highlands Trail.		 Trail leading down to Fishing Dock on Lake Hodges.
Fig. 28. Trail leading down to Fishing Dock on Lake Hodges.		 An egret next to the Fishing Dock on Lake Hodges.
Fig. 29. An egret next to the Fishing Dock on Lake Hodges.		 Grebes in the North Bay seen from Fishing Dock.
Fig. 30. Grebes in the North Bay seen from Fishing Dock.
Panorama of Lake Hodges from the Fishing Dock showing a nice reflection of the mountainous landscape on the lake.
Fig. 31. Panoramic view of the North Bay of Lake Hodges as seen from the end of the Fishing Dock. Fletcher Point peninsula is to the left. Del Dios Highlands are to the enter. North Bay shore is to the right.
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Granite Boulders Highlands Trail

This unofficial name is presented here for an unnamed, unmaintained trail that that leads to the top of a part of Felicita Mesa where an extensive belt of granitic outcrops and boulders dominate the landscape. It is easy to get lost in this area, and the trail is narrow, steep, and rocky, and is prime rattlesnake and tick habitat. That said, this is a remote and unusually scenic area if you like unusually shaped granite outcrops. 		Granite Boulders Highlands Trail
View from the Boulder Highlands Trail of the east end of Lake Hodges, the forested community of Del Dios, and the Del Dios Highlands in the vicinity of the Lake Hodges Overlook on the ridgeline.
Fig. 32. View of North bay from near the park entrance.		 View from the Felicita Highlands Trail of the Visitor Center Bay and the gap area.
Fig. 33. View east toward the park's Visitor Center area.		 Felicita Highlands Tral leads to a field of granite boulders.
Fig. 34. The Granite Boulders Highlands Trail		 View of boulders and granite outcrops in the Granite Boulder Higlands Trail area
Fig. 35.The Granite Boulders Highlands Trail
Pinnacles of granite along the Felicita Highlands Trail.
Fig. 36. Split Rock		 Hotdog Rock on the Boulder Highlands Trail.
Fig. 37. Hot-Dog Rock		 An exfoliating boulder that looks like a giant mouth.
Fig. 38. Gaping Maw Rock		 View looking east along the trend of white granite boulder ouctrops along Felecita Highlands area.
Fig. 39. Boulder field.
B6

Lake Hodges Park Facilities - Visitor Center and Boat Launch Areas

The Lake Hodges Park area encompasses the parking areas around the Visitor Center, restrooms, picnic areas, boat launch, and kayak beach launch area. These areas can be quite crowded on warm weekends. The Coast To Crest Trail connects to the large parking area. The Mid Valley Mesa Trail starts at the Boat Launch loops back to the Visitor Center parking area. 		Map of the Lake Hodges Park facilities area with boat launch areas.
Visitor Center parking lot with trees.
Fig. 40. Visitor Center parking lot with trees.. 		Lake Hodges Visitor Center and store.
Fig. 41. Lake Hodges Visitor Center and store.		 Picnic area with oak tree near Visitor Center.
Fig. 42. Picnic area with oak tree near Visitor Center.		 Boat dock near the kayk put-in beach.
Fig. 43. Boat dock near the kayak put-in beach.
Sign for the Hodges Launch Facility.
Fig. 44. Sign for the Hodges Launch Facility.		 Two docks at the Hodges Launch facility.
Fig. 45. Two docks at the Hodges Launch facility.		 Lake Hodges Boat Launch Facility.
Fig. 46. Lake Hodges Boat Launch Facility.		 Boat Launch dock with white pelicans.
Fig. 47. Boat Launch dock with white pelicans.
Panoramic view from the south end of the dock beach looking north.
Fig. 48. Panoramic view from the south end of the boat launch beach looking north. Fletcher point is to the left. Del Dios Community Park is near the center.
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Mid Valley Mesa Trail

Mid Valley Mesa (unofficial name) is an erosional mesa in the middle of the Lake Hodges valley. The mesa is bordered on the west by the Upper Gorge (now flooded by Lake Hodges) and a wind gap (on the east side of the low mesa). The Mesa top is an eroded surface that formed when the top of the mesa was valley floor several million years ago. Since then the valley floor has eroded down to its current levels (as the lands has slowly risen as well). Rusty Car Canyon is also an unofficial, but seemingly appropriate name. How the car got there is uncertain, but it was scorched in the 2007 Witch Canyon Fire, along with everything else in the vicinity. How the car got there must have been quite a story.		 Mid Valley Mesa Trail
View of the Mid Valley Mesa from the Lake View Trail
Fig. 49. Mid Valley Mesa between lake & Wind Gap.		 Fire damage sign along Mid Valley Mesa Trail.
Fig. 50. Mid Valley Mesa Trail starts near the Boat Launch.		 View of a slope along Mid Valley Mesa Trail.
Fig. 51. View of a slope along Mid Valley Mesa Trail.		 View of tThe Gap from the Mid Valley Mesa Trail.
Fig. 52. View of The Pass from Mid Valley Mesa Trail.
Rocky slope along the Mid Valley Mesa Trail.
Fig. 53. Rocky slope along the Mid Valley Mesa Trail.		 Boulder patch along the Mid Valley Mesa Trail.
Fig. 54. Boulder patch along the Mid Valley Mesa Trail.		 Rusty car along Mid Valley Mesa Trail.
Fig. 55. Rusty Car Canyon along Mid Valley Mesa Trail.		 Rusty car canyon
Fig. 56. Rusty Car Canyon along Mid Valley Mesa Trail.
View looking down the slope with the Mid-ValleyMesa Trail.
Fig. 57. Trail to the top of Mid Valley Mesa looking west.		 View looking north along the Mid-Mesa Trail at recovering coastal sage scrub plant community and the Del Dios Highlands in the distance.
Fig. 58. Flat top of Mid Valley Mesa and Del Dios Highlands		 View looking east along the Mid-Valley_Mesa Trail with Pasqual Valley in the distance.
Fig. 59. Looking east along the top of Mid Valley Mesa.		 Split boulder on the Mid-Valley Mesa Trail
Fig. 60. Split granite boulder along the trail.
Poppies blooming on the south-facing slop on the Mid-Valley Mesa next to Lake Hodges.
Fig. 61. Poppy fields on the south side of Mid Valley Mesa		 View looking east from the Mid Valley Mesa toward Lake Hodges and the Piedras Pintadas area.
Fig. 62. View from east end Mid Valley Mesa.		 Coastal sage scrub along the Gap with Bernardo Peak in the distance.
Fig. 63. View of the Wind Gap from Mid Valley Mesa Trail.		 Mid Valley Mesa Trailhead near Visitor Center.
Fig. 64. Mid Valley Mesa Trailhead near Visitor Center.
Panoramic view of the rocky shoreline of lake hodges with the Fletcher Point Peninsula on the opposite side of the bay.
Fig. 65. This panoramic view is from a rocky beach near the mouth of Rusty Car Canyon along the Mid Valley Mesa Trail. South Shore Highlands and Fletcher Point peninsula are on the opposite shore. The Wind Vortex area (discussed below) is on the lake in the vicinity of the The Pass in the peninsula near the middle of this panoramic view.
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Coast To Crest Trail - Visitor Center to Bernardo Bay Overlook

From the Visitor Center, the Coast To Crest Trail cuts though the Wind Gap and follows the shoreline eastward to the Bernardo Bay Overlook. The wind gap is underlain by elevated stream terrace gravel deposits. It used to be the main valley before stream capture created the Upper Gorge (now flooded by the lake). Dog Toy Beach is an unofficial name for the cove at the east end of the wind gap. Named here, because the writer collected 32 various old dog toys on this remote beach. How they all got there over time is uncertain. Major habitat restoration from the 2007 fire is underway in this area.		 Map showing location of the Wind Gap, Coast To Crest Trail, and Lake View Trail along the lake's North Shore
Coast to Crest Trail sign near the Visitor Center.
Fig. 66. Coast to Crest Trail sign near the Visitor Center.		 Coast To Crest Trail near the Visitor Center parking lot.
Fig. 67. Coast To Crest Trail near Visitor Center parking lot.		 View of the gap from the upper North Shore Path Trail.
Fig. 68. View of the Wind Gap from the Lake View Trail.		 View looking east from the Mid-Valley Mesa toward Dog Toy Beach.
Fig. 69. Dog Toy Beach (cove) looking east.
Dog Toy Beach along the North Shore of Lake Hodges at the east end of VOA gap.
Fig. 70. Dog Toy Beach (cove) looking west.		 Riparian shoreline and coastal sage scrub habitats.
Fig. 71. Riparian shoreline and coastal sage scrub habitats.		 North Shore lake view with gorge.
Fig. 72. North Shore lake view with the Upper Gorge.		 View looking east along the North Shore Coast To Crest Trail lined with prickly pear cactus.
Fig. 73. View looking east along Coast to Crest Trail
Powerline pole and lines crossing Lake Hodges.
Fig. 74. Power-line pole and lines crossing Lake Hodges.		 View looking up the ravine on the North Shore. Note slope shading plant community.
Fig. 75. View looking up the ravine on the North Shore.		 North Shore Overlook Trail
Fig. 76. Spur trail link to the North Shore Overlook.		 View looking east from North Shore Overlook.
Fig. 77. View looking east from North Shore Overlook.
Panoramic view of a ravien along the North Shore Trail near where powerlines cross Lake Hodges.
Fig. 78. Panoramic view looking south along a ravine near the power lines crossing from the North Shore Trail toward lake and south shore.
Panoramic view of Bernardo Bay from the North Shore near the overlook.
Fig. 79. Panoramic view looking south from the North Shore Overlook toward Piedras Pintadas, Bernardo Bay, and the South Shore Highlands.
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Lake View Trail

The Lake View Trail is a higher alternative route that connects back through the Wind Gap to the Coast to Crest Trail near the Visitor Center. The 1.15 mile trail is narrow and cuts across some rocky ravines. The route provides some higher and more encompassing views than the lower main trail. However, this narrow route is commonly used by speeding mountain bikers (and yes, rattlesnakes). 		Lake View Trail parallels the Coast To Crest Trail
Trail junction for North Shore CTC Trail and Lake Vew Trail (upper).
Fig. 80. Trail for CTC Trail & Lake View Trail (upper).		 Upper North Shore Trail bike path with boulder patch.
Fig. 81. Lake View Trail parallels the CTC Trail.		 Granite boulder outcrops below the Lake View Trail.
Fig. 82. Granite outcrops below the Lake View Trail.		 View of the Gap filled with voa (very old alluvium) and the low mid-valley mesa next to Lake Hodges.
Fig. 83. Mid Valley Mesa from the Lake View Trail.
Panoramic view from the North Shore upper bike trail looking west toward the gap of the old stream terrace.
Fig. 84. Panoramic view from the North Shore upper bike trail looking west toward the gap of the old stream terrace.
B10

Bernardo Mountain Trail

The Bernardo Mountain Trail links to the North Shore - Coast To Crest Trail a short distance west of the Felicita Creek crossing. The trail winds up the Felicita Creek Valley before climbing steadily and steeply to the summit of Bernardo Mountain. Unfortunately, the highway noise from Interstate 15 and Escondido is fairly constant for much of the hike, but the scenery of this mountain hike is awesome. The mountain is a monadnock that rises above the surrounding highlands region.		 Map showing the Bernardo Mountain Trail
Veiw of Bernardo Mountain from the Lake Hodges footbridge.
Fig. 85. Bernardo Mountain from Lake Hodges Bridge.		 View from the Piedras Pintada Loop of Bernardo Bay and Bernardo Mountain.
Fig. 86. Bernardo Mountain from Piedras Pintadas Trail.		 View looking north from Lake Hodges at Bernardo Peak.
Fig. 87. Kayak view of Bernardo Mountain.		 I-15 from Bernardo Peak
Fig. 89. View east along Bernardo Mountain Trail.
View from Bernardo Peak looking over Felicta Mesa toward Gonzales Peak east of Escondido.
Fig. 88. View north toward Felicita and Gonzales Peak		 Bernardo Peak view of the Interstate 15 bridge over Lake Hodges and Woodson Mountain in the distance.
Fig. 90. Peak view toward the East Bay and I-15 bridges.		 View looking south from Bernardo Peak toward Bernardo Bay and the Piedras Pintadas uplands and Interstate 15.
Fig. 91. Peak view of Piedras Pintadas and Bernardo Bay.		 Fire-scorched rocks on Bernardo Peak.
Fig. 92. Fire-scorched rocks on Bernardo Peak.
Panoramic view looking east from the top of Bernardo Mountain toward the Felicita Highlands along the I-15 cooridor.
Fig. 93. Panoramic view looking east from the top of Bernardo Mountain toward the Felicita Highlands along the I-15 corridor.
View looking west from the top of Bernardo Mountain with Lake Hodges, the Felicita community, and the Del Dios Highlands in the distance.
Fig. 94. View looking north at Lake Hodges from the top of Bernardo Mountain. The community of Felicita is on the mesa on the right. The Del Dios Highland are in the distance beyond the lake.
B11

Coast To Crest Trail - Bernardo Bay Overlook to Sykes Adobe

This section of the Coast To Crest Trail runs along the East Bay of Lake Hodges past wetlands habitats near the David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bridge and I-15 bridges, and on to the Sunset Drive Trailhead near Sykes Adobe. The Felicita Creek crossing is a welcoming shady spot along the trail. Sikes Adobe historic farmstead has the oldest remaining building in northern San Diego County. It is only open to the public on Sundays 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. 		Map of the east end of the North Shore trail near the Lake Hodges Bridge and I-15.
View looking east from overlook to Felicita Creek.
Fig. 95. View east from overlook to Felicita Creek.		 Invasive Mexican Fan Palms along Felicita Creek.
Fig. 96. Felicita Creek along Coast to Crest Trail,		 Forested area along the Felicita Creek crossion on the Coast To Crest Trail.
Fig. 97. Felicita Creek crossing along CTC Trail.		 Blasted rocks at an abandonded construction site along the North Shore Path near Felicita Creek.
Fig. 98. Excavation in granitic bedrock along the CTC Trail.
Coast to Crest Trail west of Lake Hodges Bridge.
Fig. 99. Coast to Crest Trail west of Lake Hodges Bridge.		 Lake Hodges Bridge
Fig. 100. David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bridge with displays.		 View looking south across the Lake Hodges Bridge.
Fig. 101. View looking south across Lake Hodges Bridge.		 Sign showing distances at the north end of the pedestrian bridge.
Fig. 102. Trail mileage sign at Lake Hodges Bridge.
View of wetlands, I-15, and Gonzales Peak.
Fig. 103. View of wetlands, I-15, and Gonzales Peak.		 Boulders weathering rom a road cut along the Coast To Crest Trail near the Lake Hodges Bridge.
Fig. 104. Granitic boulders weathering from a hillside		 Gabbro knob hill near Lake Hodges Bridge and old Highway 395.
Fig. 105. Boulder-capped hill above old Highway 395.		 View of the Lake under the Interstate 15 bridge underpass.
Fig. 106. Trail view under the I-15 bridges.
View of Battle Peak on the south side of the San Pasqual Valley.
Fig. 107. CTC Trail next to I-15 with Battle Peak to south.		 Wetlands on the east side of I-15 in the San Pasqual Valley near Mule Hill.
Fig. 108. Wetlands between I-15 and Mule Hill Battlefield.		 San Dieguito River Parks sign showing mileages to destinations along the Coast To Crest Trail
Fig. 109. Trail mileage sign at the Sunset Drive trailhead.		 Sykes Adobe farmstead and San Dieguito River Parks Kiosk.
Fig. 110. Sikes Adobe and River Parks kiosk.
Granite boulders weathering from a road cut along the Coast To Crest Trail near the Lake Hodges Bridge.
Fig. 111. Panoramic view of Bernardo Bay and the East Bay of Lake Hodges with the Piedras Pintadas mesa region on the opposite shore (in center).
Panorama of the view of Lake Hodges during high water under the Interstate 15 bridges.
Fig. 112. Panorama of the view of Lake Hodges during high water under the Interstate 15 bridges (May, 2017). With new 2019 lake water level rules, this area may never flood again.
 Sign telling the story about the history of bridges over Lake Hodges.
Fig. 113. History of bridges.		 stress bridge sign
Fig. 114. Stress ribbon bridge.
Figures 113 and 114 are touched-up views of the display boards provided by the San Diego River Parks at the north end of the David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bridge (see Figure 110). One tells a brief history of the Highway 395 bridges that once spanned the river valley before the construction of the I-15 bridges. The other describes the unique construction of the stress ribbon bridge (David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bridge).
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Piedras Pintadas Interpretive Trail

Piedras Pintadas means painted rocks. The low mesa area at the east end of Lake within the San Dieguito River Park is called Piedras Pintadas. People have migrated through the San Dieguito River Valley since the end of the last Ice Age. The latest to arrive, the Kumeyaay people, have been present in the area for at least the last 1,000 years. Their descendants live nearby and have shared in preparing numerous displays along this scenic interpretive trail.		 Piedras Pintadas Trail map
Piedras Pintadas Interpretive Area
Fig. 115. Piedras Pintadas Interpretive Area display.		 Petroglyph in the Piedras Pintadas Preserve
Fig. 116. Example of Piedras Pintadas (painted rocks).		 Trailhead for the Piedras Pintadas Interpretive Area.
Fig. 117. Trailhead at parking area on W. Bernardo Drive		 Trailhead view of the Pindras Pintadas Trail
Fig. 118. Low plateau along the Piedras Pintadas Trail.
Kiosk near BB and PP Trails intersection.
Fig. 119. Kiosk near Rancho Bernardo Community Park.		 Painted boulders near the painted boulder exhibit.
Fig. 120. Piedras Pintadas (painted granitic rocks).		 Trail intersection of the Bernardo Bay trail (ahead) and the Piedras Pintadas Trail (left).
Fig. 121. Piedras Pintadas Trail goes left at trail fork.		 Piedras Pintadas Trail next to Bernardo Creek.
Fig. 122. Piedras Pintadas Trail and Green Valley Creek.
View looking down the trail below the waterfall on the Piedras Pintadas Trail with a gap next to Bernardo Mountain visible in the distance.
Fig. 123. Riparian habitat along Piedras Pintadas Trail.		 Piedras Pintadas Falls.
Fig. 124. Falls area beyond willow/sycamore forest.		 Falls along the Piedras Pintadas Trail in granite bedrock along Bernardo Creek
Fig. 125. Falls and granite outcrops along the trail.		 Falls on the Piedras Pintadas Trail
Fig. 126. Close up view of the falls during low flow.
Sycamores along the creek canyon above the falls along the Piedras Pintadas Trail
Fig. 127. View from above the falls area.		 View from the Piedras Pintada Loop of Bernardo Bay and Bernardo Mountain.
Fig. 128. Bernardo Mountain at Piedras Pintadas viewpoint.		 Boulders on the hilltop overlooking Bernardo Bay.
Fig. 129. Bernardo Bay from Piedras Pintadas viewpoint.		 Granite highlands south of Piedras Pintadas area.
Fig. 130. Highlands above the Piedras Pintadas Trail.
Panoramic view from the hillside on the south shore of Bernardo_Bay
Fig. 131. Panoramic view looking north toward the Piedras Pintadas highlands and Bernardo Bay on Lake Hodges. Bernardo Mountain is to the left.
Panorama from near the trail intersection of the Bernardo Bay Trail and the Piedras Pintadas Trail near Bernardo Bay.
Fig. 132. Panoramic view from near the intersection of the Piedras Pintadas Trail and the North Bernardo Bay Trail looking west toward the lake.
B13

North Bernardo Bay Trail

The Piedras Pintadas area has numerous interconnecting trails. The North Bernardo Bay Trail connects to the paved bike path that runs along Bernardo Drive near Lake Hodges Bridge. The trail skirts a wetlands area before reaching the lake shoreline. This area is a prime bird-watching habitat area. There is an assortment of large granitic boulders and outcrops along the trail. Midway around the Piedras Pintadas peninsula the trail intersects and continues on as the South Bernardo Bay Trail before connecting with the Piedras Pintadas Trail.		 Berardo Bay Trails
David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bridge
Fig. 133. Unpaved Bernardo Bay Trail left of bike path.		 East end of Lake Hodges near the footbridge.
Fig. 134. East end of Lake Hodges near the footbridge.		 View looking along the Bernardo Bay Trail along the dry shorline of the east end of Lake Hodges.
Fig. 135. North Bernardo Bay Trail along lake shoreline.		 Beginning of the Bernardo Bay Trail near the footbridge.
Fig. 136. The North Bernardo Bay Trail near the footbridge.
Bernardo Bay Shoreline Trail with granite boulders.
Fig. 137. North Bernardo Bay Trail along lake shoreline.		 Flowers and pKm boulder along the Bernardo Bay Trail
Fig. 138. Large boulder along the North Bernardo Bay Trail.		 Granite boulder along the Bernardo Bay Trail with Bernardo Mountain in the distance.
Fig. 139. Granite boulder by North Bernardo Bay Trail.		 Endangered Species habitat sign with a frog symbol and keep out warning.
Fig. 140. Endangered species habitat keep out sign.
Large granite outcrop along the Bernardo Bay Trail
Fig. 141. Massive outcrop along N. Bernardo Bay Trail.		 Lichen-covered granite outcrop along the Bernardo Bay Trail.
Fig. 142. Lichens and moss on massive rock outcrop area		 A small vernal pool on a granite outcop along the Bernardo Bay Trail.
Fig. 143. Small vernal pool on massive rock outcrop area.		 Weathering surface of granitic rock with basaltic xenoliths on an outcrops along the Bernardo Bay Trail.
Fig. 144. Xenoliths in granitic rock outcrop area.
View of the Bernardo Bay Trail with Bernardo Mountain.
Fig. 145. View looking down trail from hill along trail.		 Three bands of different granitic rocks on slope.
Fig. 146. Three areas of granitic plutons on slope.		 Mileage sign for Bernardo Bay and Piedras Pintadas Trails.
Fig. 147. Intersection of trails on top of the mesa.		 Sign for Bernardo Bay Trails North and South.
Fig. 148. Sign at the intersection of the trails.
Panoraic view of Bernardo Bay from the shoreline with the south shore highlands on the left and Bernardo Mountain on the right.
Fig. 149. Panoramic view looking west from the Bernardo Bay Trail from the western tip of the Piedras Pintadas peninsula. Bernardo Mountain is on the right, Rancho Bernardo/South Shore Highlands are on the left. In the distance center, the Del Dios Highlands rise above the Mid Valley Mesa.
B14

South Bernardo Bay Trail

The South Bernardo Bay Trail continues south from the intersection where the North Bernardo Trail. The trails follows the shoreline around the Piedras Pintadas mesa. The trail is a mostly a flat open trail, and it is far enough away to have diminished interstate highway noise. There are a few rocky spots along the way. The views of the lake, Bernardo Mountain and surrounding highlands are spectacular. The trail connects with the Piedras Pintadas Trail.		 Bernardo Bay Trails.
Mileage sign at the intersection of the north and south sections of the Bernardo Bay Trail.
Fig. 150. North-South Trail intersection along the bay.		 Trail split for Bernardo Bay Trails, north and south.
Fig. 151. Bernardo Bay Trails split north (left), south (right),		 Large granite outcrops near the Bernardo Bay Trails split.
Fig. 152. Massive outcrop area north of the trail intersection.		 Oak trees along the Bernardo Bay Trail.
Fig. 153. Oaks that survived the 2007 Witch Creek Fire.
Bernardo Bay Trail with Bernardo Mountain.
Fig. 154. South Bernardo Bay Trail near trail intersection with Bernardo Mountain.		 Bernardo Mountain from the Bernardo Bay Trail.
Fig. 155. South Bernardo Bay Trail with fire-scorched slopes on Bernardo Mountain.		 View looking west down the lake from the Bernardo Bay Trail.
Fig. 156. Green north slope and dry south slope on opposite sides of the lake.		 Zoom view of Mid Valley Mesa
Fig. 157. Zoom view of Mid Valley Mesa and Del Dios Highlands in distance.
Granite outcrop along Bernardo Bay Trail.
Fig. 158. Shoreline outcrop along South Bernardo Bay Trail.		 Mid Valley Mesa from Bernardo Bay Trail
Fig. 159. View looking west at Bernardo Bay along the South Bernardo Bay Trail.		 Bernardo Bay
Fig. 160. View looking west at Bernardo Bay along the South Bernardo Bay Trail.		 Near trail split for PP Trail and BB Trail.
Fig. 161. South Bernard Bay Trail near intersection with Piedras Pintadas Trail.
Panorama along the Bernardo Bay Trail.
Fig. 162. Panoramic view near the intersections of the South Bernardo Bay Trail and the Piedras Pintadas Trails near east end of Bernardo Bay.
B15

Fletcher Point Trail - East (Piedras Pintadas to The Pass on Fletcher Point)

The The Fletcher Point Trail runs along the south shore of Lake Hodges connecting to Fletcher Point, a peninsula that juts into the North Bay. The trail is narrow, rugged, basically unmaintained, and located in one of the most isolated parts of the coastal mountains in northern San Diego County—perhaps that's what is makes it so wonderful! The eastern section connects with trails in the Piedras Pintadas area and provides some shoreline access. The north-facing slope provides some forested shade, but be aware of rattlesnakes, ticks, etc. The trail gets overgrown in wet seasons.		 Msp og the eastern section of the Fletcher Point Trail.
East end of the Fletcher Point Trail.
Fig. 163. East end of the Fletcher Point Trail. 		South Shore west of the Piedras Pintadas area. Highlands plateau.
Fig. 164. Highlands above the eastern Fletcher Point Trail.		 Beach accessible from the Fletcher Point Trail near where the mortars are.
Fig. 165. Shore access spur along the Fletcher Point Trail.		 South Shore near the Vortex area where large granite outcops occur along the Fletcher Point Trail. Green algal bloom.
Fig. 166. Granite outcrop belt across the south shore slopes.
Granite peaks on the south shore of Lake Hodges.
Fig. 167. Granite peaks on ridge above the South Shore.		 View of ravines along the South Shore.
Fig. 168. View of ravines along the South Shore.		 Landslide deposit along the south shore of Lake Hodges.
Fig. 169. Landslide deposits below ravine on South Shore.		 Boulders on the shoreline east of the Vortex area.
Fig. 170. Rocky bathtub ring on South Shore below the trail.
View of The Pass from the Mid Valley Mesa Trail.
Fig. 171. View of The Pass from Mid Valley Mesa Trail.		 Biew of the Boat Launch and Visitor Center park area with Bernardo Peak in the distance.
Fig. 172. View of the boat launch from The Pass area.		 View looking east from the gap along the Fletcher Point Trail.
Fig. 173. View looking east from the trail in The Pass area.		 Fetcher Point Trail intersection near the gap on the peninsula.
Fig. 174. Fletcher Point Trail in The Pass area.
B16

Fletcher Point Peninsula

There is no getting around the fact that it is a long, difficult hike to get to the US Flag on top of Fletcher Point, but the view from the top of the peninsula is arguably the best in the park. Just below the flag is a most unusual outcrop of blueschist, named here, the Blue Stone Chair (Figures 183 and 184). It is easy to imagine that the rock has archaeological significance in that it provides a most commanding view of what was once the resource-rich valley of the San Dieguito River.		 Map of the Fletcher Point Peninsula showing the location of th Pass and the Wind Vortex.
Fletcher Point Trail on the peninsula
Fig. 175. Fletcher Point Trail on the peninsula.		 Spring green plants along the Fletcher Point Trail on the peninsula.
Fig. 176. Fletcher Point Trail on the peninsula.		 Fletcher Point Butte with the flag and trail.
Fig. 177. Fletcher Point Trail on the peninsula.		 US Flag on Fletcher Point
Fig. 178. US Flag on top of Fletcher Point.
The Blew Stone Chari on Fletcher Poin Trail.
Fig. 179. Blue Stone Chair outcrop on Fletcher Point.		 The Blue Stone Chair provides an excellent view of the valley (lake) on both sides of the Fletcher Point peninsula.
Fig. 180. Blue Stone Chair view of the peninsula.		 Peninsula view showing contrast of vegetation on opposite sides of the ridgeline.
Fig. 181. Blue Stone Chair view of the peninsula.		 Flag Beach
Fig. 182. A cove below The Pass on west side of peninsula.
B17

The Wind Vortex Area along the east side of The Pass on Fletcher Point

The easterly flowing sea breeze creates an unusual wind vortex area on the east side of The Pass on the Fletcher Point peninsula. During most warm, sunny days the sea breeze builds up midday. As the wind blows over the peninsula, the wind speed increases and is forced downward, most strongly in the vicinity of the low divide in the neck of the peninsula. Swirling wind vortexes create cats paw wind impact areas that visibly stand out on the surface of the water. The wind spreads out from the vortex area, pulling the surface waters away and create local upwelling currents. The local grebe bird population often gravitates to this area, perhaps for a possible increase food supply, cooler water, or they just enjoy spinning around with the changing wind and water currents in the area.
The Pass on Fletcher Point penisula.
Figure 183. The Pass on Fletcher Point peninsula.		 Wind vortex area near the gap on the peninsula.
Fig. 184. View of the wind vortex area from north shore.		 A cats paw shimmering on the water in the wind vortex area on the south side of the gap in the peninsula.
Fig. 185. Zoom view of a cats paw in the wind vortex area.		 Greges in the vortex
Fig. 186. Grebes gathering in the wind vortex area.
B18

Fletcher Point Trail - West (The Pass on Fletcher Point to to Alva Canyon)

The hike starting at the west end of the Fletcher Point Trail starts off easy mile descent down Alva Canyon, but then gets increasing rocky, narrow, and strenuous, and some years is completely overgrown. However, the scenery and geology is particularly fascinating. The scenery below is starting at The Pass and proceeds to the Alva Canyon near the Alva Road trailhead. Alva Canyon is carved along the margin of a large igneous pluton where unusually large xenoliths of basalt are preserved in the granitic host rock. Softer volcanic tuff is exposed on the opposite side of the canyon.		 Fletcher Point Trail between The Pass and Alva Canyon.
Wave train moving along the shore on the north side of the peninsula.
Fig. 187. Fletcher Point Trail in The Pass on the peninsula.		 Trail on the southwest shore of the lake that connects to the Fletcher Point Trail.
Fig. 188. Fletcher Point Trail south from The Pass.		 Mine tailings pile near the Fletcher Point Trail.
Fig. 189. Small historic mine tailing near The Pass.		 Looking east along Lake Hodes southwst shoreline toward Fletcher Point
Fig. 190. View looking north from the Fletcher Point Trail.
Canyon on the southwest shore, west of the peninsula. Trail connects to Fletcher Point Trail.
Fig. 191. Canyon along shore of the Fletcher Point Trail.		 Falls on the southwest side of the lake not far from the dam.
Fig. 192. Dry falls in a canyon along the Fletcher Point Trail.		 Metavolcanic rock exposed in a creek crossing along the Fletcher Point Trail near Alva Canyon.
Fig. 193. Small dry falls along the Fletcher Point Trail.		 View of where the shoreline trail ends along the southeast shore near Alva Canyon.
Fig. 194.Spur trail leads to the shore north of Alva Canyon.
Alva Canyon Bay on the southwest shore of Lake Hodges.
Fig. 195. View of Alva Canyon Bay from the trail.		 View of the mount of Alva Canyon with the aeration system station barrier on Lake Hodges.
Fig. 196. Aeration area near mouth of Alva Canyon.		 Dry falls in lower Alva Canyon as seen from the Fletcher Point Trail.
Fig. 197. Dry falls in Alva Canyon.
 Massive basalt zenoliths in a granite pluton exposed in dry falls in Alva Canyon as seen from the Fletcher Point Trail near Lake Hodges.
Fig. 198. Massive xenoliths in granite in Alva Canyon.
Large basalt xenoliths in granite exposed in a dry falls area in Alva Canyon near Lake Hodges.
Fig. 199.Massive xenoliths in granite in Alva Canyon.		 Volcanic tuff (rhyolite) exposed in a cut along the Fletcher Point Trail in Alva Canyon.
Fig. 200. Volcanic tuff along the Alva Canyon Trail.		 View looking up Alva Canyon along the forested creekbed area.
Fig. 201. Forested stream area in Alva Canyon.		 View looking down Alva Canyon not far from the Fletcher Point Trailhead area.
Fig. 202. Fletch Point Trail in upper Alva Canyon.
Panoramic view from the high point along the Fletcher Point Trail along the southwest shore of Lake Hodges

Fig. 203. Panoramic view of the Lake Hodges from the dam to Del Dios and North Bay from a high point along the Fletcher Canyon Trail north of Alva Canyon. The Del Dios Highlands are on the opposite shore.
B19

Lake Hodges Overlook in the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

The Lake Hodge Overlook is a popular hiking destination form trails in both the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve or the Del Dios Highlands County Preserve. Both hikes are strenuous, but the views when you reach the high final destination are spectacular. You can see most of Lake Hodges and surrounding highlands with even more distant views of the Peninsular Ranges to the Coast, even to downtown San Diego and mountains in Mexico on a clear day.

 Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve website.
Panoramic view looking east from the Lake Hodges Overlook area in the Elfin Forest/Del Dios Highlands area.
Fig. 204. Panoramic view looking east from the Lake Hodges Overlook area in the Elfin Forest/Del Dios Highlands area.
B20

Selected Resources

San Dieguito River Parks Maps and Guides (.pdf)

These organizations listed below are part of the joint habitat restoration & research projects at Lake Hodges Reservoir:
Urban Corps (San Diego County)
California Conservation Corps
Del Dios Habitat Protection League
US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
City of San Diego Public Utilities Water & Wastewater
The Friends of Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve
San Dieguito River Parks
California State Coastal Conservancy
San Diego Zoo, Institute for Conservation Research
Wildlife Conservation Society

https://gotbooks.miracosta.edu/fieldtrips/Lake_Hodges/trails.html 1/8/2021