Guided hikes on hold for now.

The current rain will significantly impact water level in the canyon and trail access. We’ll resume our guided hikes once the trails are safe to use. Please follow our calendar updates for upcoming hikes.

So why should we stay off trails after the rain? This is not a universal practice but it’s the norm in areas with soil rich in clay, as in San Diego and most SoCal. The problem with clay-rich soil is that it does not hold up well when saturated with water, becoming very soft and susceptible to damage. Hiking, riding and biking activities in such conditions damage trail design, and speed up rut and erosion. Erosion does not just increase dramatically the amount of maintenance required to make the trails safe and user-friendly, it also removes soil, lowering trail levels, and potentially impacts the surrounding natural environment, specifically plants. Bike tracks are especially damaging as the pressure is concentrated on a smaller surface, digging in the ground and favoring rut.

The general consensus is typically that one should stay off trail for 24h after it rains, in itself a rare occurrence in San Diego. But the current exceptional rainfall may call for prolonged trail closure. Please wait for the rangers to determine if trails are safe to use again!