My good friend Becca is going to be hiking the Trans-Catalina Trail in May and wanted to start upping her hiking miles. I offered some options for her and she decided that doing the Oakzanita Loop sounded just right. Ted Markus joined us as well for this adventure. It was a brisk 44 degrees when we arrived at the parking area. Once geared up, and a group selfie taken in front of the trailhead sign, we set off along the Lower Descanso Creek Trail. The trail was still a little damp from the showers we received on Friday, but thankfully not muddy. The creek was still dry, making the stream crossings trivial.
Once we reached the East Mesa Fire Road, we took it around the bend to then join the Upper Descanso Creek Trail. Now the trail would begin to noticeably gain elevation. Partway up, we stopped to shed our respective layers. We had yet to see or hear another soul, despite there being a few cars at the trailhead. I wondered if they were backpacking out at Granite Springs? The trail reached the Oakzanita Peak Trail which would take us up to the summit.
Soon, I passed the two hitching rails and then found myself on the summit. As I waited for Becca and Ted to arrive, I got my camera ready to capture their arrival. We had a quick snack and soaked in the views. As I pointed out various peaks in the distance, another hiker briefly joined us but hustled off to make it to the all-you-can-eat pancake fundraiser at the Descanso town hall.
We finished our snacks and cruised back to the junction with the Upper Descanso Creek Trail and the Oakzanita Peak Trail. Everyone was feeling good, so we opted to continue along the Oakzanita Peak Trail until it connected with East Mesa Fire Road. This portion of the trail is pretty mellow, and we all chatted away, sharing updates about our various children.
Back on the fire road, we motored back until the junction with the Lower Descanso Creek trail. We kept a good pace and soon we began to see evidence that the trailhead was close. Back at the car, we stopped our various tracking devices and noted the slight difference in recorded mileage (I logged 7.5 miles, while Becca logged 7.6 miles and Ted logged 7.7 miles). It was a good training hike for Becca, her longest to date. We opted to skip the traditional post-hike food and drink, as we would probably be overeating while watching the “big game”.
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.
Nice report. Oakzanita is a great hike.