Today I decided to take the “clockwise” on the Azalea Glenn Loop Trail. To start, there is a $10 Day Use Fee for the State Park. However, they now have a kiosk so you can enter you LP# and use a credit/debit card to pay when the gate is not manned. There are no longer any envelopes with stub receipts to drop into the box for payment.

I got to the State Park just before 7am. The road leading to the park was a little icy in spots, but nothing severe. Just watch your speed and the corners where most of the runoff freezes overnight. There was one other person in the lot with me as I began my hike. She was doing the “counterclockwise” route. I stepped off at 7:01 with temps probably in the low 30's. Lookout Road was for the most part pretty clear. Just some frosted areas and small patches of ice. THat said, once I got to within a 1/2 mile of the summit the road began to get very icy. I decided to put on microspikes at this point. I didn't really want to risk slipping and injuring something.

The road, near the summit, was pretty clear and easy to traverse without microspikes. It was chilly, with clear skies and no wind. I was the only person up there. I didn't stay long at the summit. Took my normal photos and headed down. While travelling on the loop trail, I ran into the hiker taking the “counterclockwise” loop. She warned me about the muddy conditions and water flow on the trail and I warned her about the icy conditions on Lookout Road. She didn't have anything for traction on the ice and I knew she was going to need something. So, since I didn't need my micro spikes anymore, I loaned her mine. I gave her my number and she agreed to return them this weekend. We don't live too far apart. 🙂

Anyway, coming down the loop trail did get a little wet. There was a constant stream of water runoff on the trail for at least a half mile. I boudler hopped all the way to avoid getting my feet wet. Toward the bottom of the trail and as the temps warmed in the later part of the morning the trail became a little muddy. Nothing significant, but muddy non the less.

On a side note, as I was travelling through Julian, I notice a hiker (James, trail name Jupiter) trying to hitch a ride. Not a hard choice for, to pick him up. He was section hiking the Coast to Crest Trail (I think). He was headed back to his car in San Diego, so I thought what the hell, I have nothing better to do, and gave him a ride to his car. In exchange, we had some great conversations about hiking. He recently, in 2022, completed the PCT. And, come to find out, he holds the FKT for the Florida Trail. Yes, I looked it up and verified.

A very rewarding day while out hiking the San Diego Six Pack of Peaks Challenge!