Since the rains were holding off, I decided to squeeze in another hike after the Bridle Loop Trail. I drove through Balboa Park to the eastern side and parked near the trailhead for Switzer Canyon. I dropped down into the canyon and headed east. The trail was a mix of dirt and river rock. After a short while the trail came to an end at a drainage tunnel. While some might stoop to walk through it, I am only a couple of weeks out from cervical fusion, so I passed. Instead, I took a use trail up to 30th Street and used surface streets to one of the trailheads for western Switzer Canyon.
I dropped down to the canyon floor, passing a couple enjoying their coffee while walking their dog. I passed the tunnel before continuing further up the canyon. At the junction, I took the right fork which eventually led me onto Redwood Street, right near a good friend’s house, so I stopped my tracker and popped in for a short visit. After saying goodbye to him and his wife, I turned the tracker back on and continued heading west. I turned south on 31st and found another entrance to the canyon. The trail followed the creek bed for a bit, right along some homes, before reconnecting at the earlier junction. I left the canyon via the Burlingame trailhead and began my street hike back to the car.
I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.