Gonzales Canyon Loop EXPLORATORY

We'll hike the Gonzales Canyon Loop from Torrey Highlands Park. This is a popular hiking and mountain biking area, but I've been there only once before, so this is an exploratory hike limited to five participants.

The trail is also called the Torrey Pines Loop Trail.

The standard loop, as shown in alltrails, is approximately two miles long and is supposed to take about an hour. We may add a couple of extra miles in the canyon itself. Plan for about 2-4 miles, with about 400 feet of elevation change. Since this is an exploratory hike, the pace will be slow to moderate with stops for note-taking.

We'll meet at 9:00 AM near the restrooms in Torrey Highlands Park and step off at 9:15.

Leashed dogs are allowed; there is even an enclosed off-leash area near the restrooms.

Wear good hiking shoes or boots, take water, and use sun protection. There is very little shade in Gonzales Canyon. Some of the trails are steep and rocky.

SUGGESTED ROUTE FROM SAN DIEGO: Go north on Interstate 5 and exit at Del Mar Heights Road. Go east about a mile and a half, and turn left onto Lansdale Road. Turn left again into the park access road, which is marked only by signs with print too small to read from a moving vehicle. Go about 0.2 miles to the restrooms, which will be on your left. Park in one of the marked spaces near the restrooms.

PARKING? There was ample parking when I visited the park briefly on Tuesday, but the spaces may fill up on weekends. If that happens, park on a nearby residential street and walk in.

COVID: Face masks are no longer required outdoors, but take one with you, just in case.

There are lots of trails in and near Gonzales Canyon, and we can't begin to hike them all on one day.