Trail Training

Staying in shape, or getting fit for any Trail adventure, can often be the hardest part of ‘getting out’ - trying to find the time, Motivation (the big ‘M’ word!) and just where to go. While many make the daily trek to their local gym, we’re extremely lucky in San Diego County that we have not only beautiful weather, but also a geography that’s a natural outdoors gym.

This page is devoted to tips and advice on getting and staying fit, where to go in San Diego County and with whom to achieve it. But we need your input – any advice that you can share with others, please send it in.

Getting fit

Stair climbing: not in the gym on the StairMaster, but outside at a nearby school or stadium. Stair climbing is probably the best way to develop strong legs and an ace cardiovascular system. Courtesy of Altrec.com, we’ve got two great articles on the benefits of stair climbing by Steve Edwards and Kaj Bune. Best stairs in San Diego? Let us know!

Walking poles: walking poles can get you fit? Not in themselves, but they’ll help to keep your flow going, and give an excellent upper body workout. They’ll also save your knees! For more information on the benefits of using poles, click here.

Yoga: To have a balanced workout, it’s necessary to equally work three essential aspects of physical fitness: endurance, strength and flexibility. Walking the long stretches of the Trail will ensure the first, biking or hiking its inclinations will develop the second, and starting and ending with a little yoga will promote the last. Don’t be put off by images of human contortionism - yoga can be easily modified so anybody can do it. Here’s an article by Sea to Sea Trail Friend and YogaFit certified instructor Virginia Haddad.

Where to go

We’re very lucky here in San Diego that we have one of the best outdoor gyms right on our doorsteps. Here’s the best local workouts we can recommend:

Cowles Mountain: bang in the middle of San Diego, Cowles (pronounced coals) is the big peak you see to the south-east of Mission Trail Regional Park. It’s 1591’ and with four route choices, starting from an elevation gain of 950’ to 1400’, and 3.2 to 4.8 miles round trips. The most popular route starts from the trailhead at Navajo Road and Golfcrest Drive (950’, 3m). To beat the crowds you’ve three other choices: corner of Golfcrest Drive and Mission Gorge Road (via Pyles Peak) (1400’, 3.2m); off Boulder Lake Ave at Barker Way (most popular with dogs) (1000’, 3m); and from Big Rock Park (corner of Mesa Road and Prospect Ave) (1400’, 4.8m). Thomas Guide pp1250 & 1230. Eventually, the Sea to Sea Trail will link up with Mission Trails Regional Park, widening your adventure scope.

Iron Mountain: great views and scenery on your way and once you’re there, Iron Mountain is a credit to the City of Poway and California Conservation Corps for its excellent trail system. The best training route starts from the trailhead parking off the 67 at Ellie Lane (0.7 miles north of Poway Road). The resulting loop will give you ups and downs, not forgetting the switchback climb to the summit, of 9 miles and an elevation gain and loss of 1600’. To really get the blood pumping, once you get back to the bottom of Iron Mountain, where the trail splits, return the way you came – it’s too easy just finishing the loop. Thomas Guide p1171 D7.

El Capitan: this would have to be the best workout in San Diego – 10 to 13 miles, up to six hours and an elevation gain and loss of over 4,000’. And it’s all the Sea to Sea Trail. For more details, check out our Trail Trips. Thomas Guide p1212 F3. USGS San Vicente Reservoir and El Cajon Mountain (only beginning of Trail marked). Be warned - San Diego County Parks calls this “the most difficult hike in San Diego County” - but that’s why it’s the best!

Who can I go with? 

We know just how you feel! Here’s a few ideas on making new outdoors friends.

Outdoors Club: This is how I started out. The Club is a member-operated Web-based activity and social club for outdoor enthusiasts with thousands of members and activities almost every day.

Dirty Daizies: San Diego’s all-women’s mountain biking group. Send a Yahoo groups e-mail out and there’ll be someone to help introduce you to the mountain biking delights of San Diego. (NB. New Web site not yet launched.)

San Diego Mountain Biking Association: SDMBA’s San Diego’s local IMBA group, and a great group of people to help get you into mountain biking, as well as trail advocacy and maintenance.

San Diego Hiking Club: Laughs a minute, the Club leads weekend outings including day hikes, overnight car camps and backpacking trips. Destinations include beaches, foothills, mountains and deserts. Adventure trips have gone further afield to places such as the Grand Canyon, High Sierra, and also to Colorado and Utah for hiking, river rafting and canoeing.

San Diego Sea to Sea Trail Foundation: And don’t forget us! We’ve a great group of volunteers who regularly get out on the Trail for trail maintenance and Trail Trips etc. Contact us for more information.

Another good way to get fit? Join our Geocaching Challenge, courtesy of Deep Outdoors!