33.052568, -117.065715
Dog-Friendly: Yes Kid-Friendly: Yes
Hike: 4 miles out and back Level: Easy
Open from sunrise to sunset
Highland Valley Trail sits right across from an historic battle site called Mule Hill. More on that another day though. This area is lush and has both shaded and non-shaded areas along the hike.
Most of the hike is alongside a road which may turn some people off, but the road is not too populated and didn’t take away from the enjoyment or beauty of the area for us.
This is a lovely hike to do during sunset with views of Lake Hodges in the distance. We came across grinding holes in a flat boulder. This area is traditionally home to the San Pasqual band. It also burned down in the 2003 Cedar Fire. I love how nature always rebuilds. The hike is easy with little elevation. We took this trip in early spring:
There was this fallen tree filled with the coolest-looking mushrooms: