EPISODE 6: Urban Trails, Hidden Canyons, and the San Diego 100 Peaks Challenge with Chris Griffith and Susie Kara Slater
San Diego is often known for its beaches and sunshine—but beneath the surface lies one of the most diverse and underrated hiking landscapes in the country. From urban canyons and hidden staircases to rugged desert peaks and trail-less navigation, this episode dives deep into the heart of San Diego’s hiking culture.
In this episode of the Social Adventures Podcast, host Jeff Hester is joined by Chris Griffith and Susie Kara Slater, two hikers who know San Diego County better than almost anyone. Both have completed the legendary San Diego 100 Peaks Challenge, tackled the Sierra Club 100 Peaks List, and spent years exploring every corner of the region’s urban and backcountry trail systems.
They’re also the co-authors of the upcoming guidebook Urban Trails: San Diego, published by Mountaineers Books, which highlights 52 accessible, meaningful hikes woven directly into the fabric of the city.
🎙️ Watch or Listen to the Episode
🥾 Meet the Guests
Chris Griffith
Chris is a graduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder studying the outdoor recreation economy. Originally a serious sea kayaker, his journey into hiking led him to peak-bagging, trail-less navigation, and eventually authorship. Chris was the first male finisher of the San Diego 100 Peaks Challenge and continues to pursue ambitious hiking lists throughout Southern California.
Susie Kara Slater
Susie is a pediatric occupational therapist, longtime yoga instructor, and passionate advocate for accessible outdoor experiences. A former marathon runner, she transitioned into hiking in 2016 and became the first-ever finisher of the San Diego 100 Peaks Challenge. Susie hikes daily—often on lunch breaks—and brings a powerful perspective on confidence, navigation skills, and finding adventure close to home.
🏔️ What We Talk About in This Episode
- What makes the San Diego 100 Peaks Challenge so unique—and so hard
- Learning trail-less navigation and building outdoor confidence
- The logistics of completing 100 peaks in a single calendar year
- Underrated and overlooked San Diego hikes that deserve more love
- Why “urban trails” matter—and how they expand access to the outdoors
- Writing a hiking guidebook while still actively exploring the trails
- How COVID reshaped hiking habits, mileage goals, and local exploration
- Safety, heat, hydration, sun exposure, and changing hiking culture
- Favorite trails, toughest peaks, trail snacks, and hiking superpowers
📘 About the Book: Urban Trails: San Diego
Urban Trails: San Diego features 52 hikes—one for every week of the year—that can be reached easily and completed without long drives or heavy logistics. The book focuses on:
- Urban canyons and green spaces
- Coastal paths, stair climbs, and neighborhood routes
- Short, manageable hikes with optional extensions
- Public transportation access where possible
- Encouraging frequent, local outdoor exploration
The book is designed to be portable, practical, and approachable—something you can slip into a daypack and actually use on the trail.
📅 Release: Early March
📍 Available for pre-order: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Mountaineers Books
🌎 Where to Follow Chris & Susie
- Susie Kara Slater
Instagram: @susiehikes - Chris Griffith
Instagram: @sdpeakbagger
Blog & Videos: sdpeakbagger.com - Urban Trails: San Diego
Website: UrbanTrails-SanDiego.com
(Plus an upcoming Instagram account—stay tuned!)
🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share
If this episode inspires you to explore your own city a little more deeply—or finally tackle that local trail you’ve been overlooking—consider sharing it with a friend who loves the outdoors.
Subscribe to the Social Adventures Podcast wherever you listen, and as always:
Keep connecting. Keep exploring. And keep choosing adventure.
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