By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun

     ALPINE — Alpine’s rural setting allows for many outdoor activities that can’t be found in communities “down the hill.” The recently released, Alpine Trails Brochure allows all residents to take advantage of the walking and hiking paths that are available in this community.
     The Trails Brochure was developed by the Alpine Planning Group Trails Subcommittee, to encourage the use and further development of hiking, biking, and horse trails near Alpine, for the residents and visitors of the area. This brochure was the 2008 goal of the Trails and Conservation Subcommittee, and was printed through a county community education grant obtained by the Back Country Land Trust. There are 10 area trails listed (all 1/2 mile to 12 miles from downtown Alpine) and range from easy to difficult.
     Many people, even those who have lived in that area for many years, have no idea about the many interesting and little known trails in and around Alpine.
     Here are just a few of the treks that can be found in the brochure:

Wrights Field (WF)
Thomas Guide 1234; A6
     There are a number of unmarked loop trail options on nearly level ground. You can do a loop in the grassland area or head north down an incline for a longer walk through coastal sage and chaparral until you take one of the paths to the right (south) to return to the grasslands. The shortest is 1 mile long and the second nearly doubles the distance.

Robert’s Ranch (RR)
Thomas Guide 1235; J7
     Trails throughout both the north and south sections offer winding path through meadows, chaparral and mature oak woodlands, running streams and/or ponds. Horses, hikers and cattle graze in the area.

California Riding & Hiking Trail (CRHT)
Thomas Guide1234; F7
     Alpine has about 3 miles of the CRHT trail running through it, though it runs from Mexico to Oregon. The following description takes you from Alpine Boulevard south to Japatul Road: The Viejas Creek Trail is a graded dirt road dropping down to Via Dieguenos (paved street). Walk straight and in about 200 yards, the dirt trail continues to your right, meandering around several Palo Verde Ranch homes.
     The trail crosses Via Dieguenos between 2728 and 2732 Via Dieguenos, where you’ll find a walk bypass to the left of a chainlink gate. (See Bell Bluff Trail). The trail then crosses a creek and climbs, and the quieter wilderness begins. The next 2 miles are up and down in elevation, eventually running into Japatul Road (JR). Staying on the north side of JR, head west, where the trail crosses the creek and switchbacks up and back to JR, then heads west. The trail crosses near Loveland Reservoir parking lot.

Loveland Reservoir (LR)
Thomas Guide 1254; C4
     The main trail goes directly south toward the reservoir. The main trail disappears as you approach the lake because it has receded considerably, but several possible routes go different directions along the slopes. It’s best to stick to the higher trails; however, making your own way near the reservoir can be much tougher than two stars with some steep climbing.
     Another option is the California Riding and Hiking Trail (see CRHT trail) east of the parking area,) which goes either north, crossing Japatul Road and then east along for nice views, or south down to a scenic ravine and then up where it merges into Sequan Truck Trail, a paved road.

Sloan Canyon (SC)
Thomas Guide 1253; A4
     This trail offers nice mountain views from this trail, winding down through a canyon to a riparian area of the Sweetwater River. Good bird watching, water, boulders and mountains make for great photography. Go through a pipe gate and left onto the trail (part of the CRHT). After the trail ends, continue further into the Canyon and to the river by turning right onto the dirt road.

Horsethief Canyon (Espinosa Trail) (HC)
Thomas Guide 12753; D31
     The trail goes downhill through chaparral covered hillsides and leads to Pine Valley Creek, boulders, and a small waterfall (spring and winter).

     These are just a few of the trails listed in the Alpine Trails Brochure. Copies of the brochure can be found at the Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau at Viejas Outlet, the Alpine Community Center, and the U.S. Forest Services’ visitor center on Mt. Laguna, and the Alpine Library. It is also available on the Back Country Land Trust web site at www.bclt.org.

     Comments about the brochure, and about other trails in the Alpine area are welcomed. Mail to APG Trails Subcommittee at P.O. Box 819, Alpine CA 91903-0819, or contact John Popp at 659-0959, or johnepopp@cox.net.