Over a month ago when a friend recommended hiking the Boulder Loop Trail at Daley Ranch, I’ll admit I had never heard of it. Little did I know in northeast Escondido is over 3,000 acres of natural land just waiting to be hiked. Settled by English immigrant Robert Daley in 1869, the ranch remained in the Daley family for over a century, with the City of Escondido purchasing the ranch in 1996 to preserve it as a natural habitat and a place for outdoor recreation.
For anyone who likes to hike, trail run, ride horses, rock climb, or just talk a walk in the wilderness, Daley Ranch is the place to experience all of the aforementioned. The hillsides are cloaked with coastal sage and chaparral, while the valleys offer ponds, oak woodlands, and grassy meadows in the spring. With at least 20 miles of trails and hiking possibilities, it was difficult to pick just one trail to cover — which is why you should look out for me to cover even more Daley Ranch trails in the near future! Hikers and mountain bikers looking for a good, rigorous hike that won’t take too long to complete should look no further than the Boulder Loop Trail.
Starting at the trailhead in the dirt parking lot off La Honda Drive, your journey will begin at the Daley Ranch gate and up the road toward the ranch house—a structure built in the 1920s and is now being restored. Immediately you will have the option to go right down a dirt path or follow the paved road ahead. Follow the paved road up the hill and down through an oak tree grove with views of some of the ponds that were once used for livestock grazing. Along the way you’ll see several markers pointing to plants including poison oak, mountain mahogany, deer weed, buckwheat, laurel sumac, golden brush as well as a coast live oak and an Engelmann oak.
You will pass two signs for the Boulder Loop trail. Avoid the first sign. The southern end of the Boulder Loop Trail is on the left about 0.7 miles from the parking lot. A marked post with the name “Boulder Loop” will come into view. This will be the second sign you pass for the Boulder Loop Trail, and I would recommend taking the second trail. If you take the first one, you will take an extremely steep fire road that will leave you completely breathless at the top, and not in a good way. The second trail begins with a steep loose section but is a much shorter climb with plenty of flat spots and ending with a downhill trek. Both routes will complete the 2.5-mile roundtrip loop so pick your poison.
The first part of the trail begins with a short ascent uphill on loose gravel. This ascent may seem grueling but when you reach the long descent at the end, you will forget you ever had to trek uphill at all.
Proceed up the moderately strenuous uphill jaunt. You will begin to see boulders in the distance as the approach the Cougar Ridge Trail intersecting the Boulder Loop Trail. The Cougar Ridge Trail ins 2.8 miles in length and takes you to the north end of Daley Ranch, ending at the Cougar Pass entrance to the park. Continue along the Boulder Loop Trail, as an outcrop of boulders are just ahead. To your right you will see an interesting rock outcropping, which of course I had to climb. Note: Please exercise caution when climbing these rocks as they are home to potentially lethal creatures, such as rattlesnakes.
The hike grows relatively flat from here, passing through sections of grassland and more rock croppings. You will likely pass by quite a few individuals climbing these rocks on the weekends as you share the trail with throngs of mountain bikers. Soon you will pass the Rock Ridge Trail, which is also well marked. Continue following the Boulder Loop Trail. As you continue south, you’ll pass by a nice area to take in some breathtaking views of Escondido, including the nearby Stanley Peak, and take a break beneath a shaded wood structure. From here, this is where you will encounter a steep descent downhill. You will descend over 1,700 feet the next half mile of the trail ending back at the Ranch House Trail.
Follow the Ranch House Trail back to the trailhead and parking lot.
Boulder Loop Tips
Tip 1: Be careful when rock climbing. Most of the rocks require you to walk through brush and off the beaten trail, home to rattlesnakes.
Tip 2: You can access Dixon Lake for free from Daley Ranch, which sometimes has a fee at other access points.
Tip 3: A map of the different trail options is available at the entrance. Take a look to get familiar with all Daley Ranch has to offer.
Tip 4: Hike this trail during January-June for spring blooms and a more diverse landscape. Summer months can often be barren.
Tip 5: Horses are prohibited on Sundays. If you’re looking to avoid equestrians, Sunday is the day for you.
Tip 6: This is a very popular mountain biking trail. Share the trail accordingly.
Directions from downtown San Diego: Allow one-hour driving time to Daley Ranch. From I-15 N, exit east on El Norte Parkway. Turn left (north) on La Honda Drive. The parking area for the Daley Ranch is on the left. To the right is Dixon Lake.
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Distance: 4 Miles
Trailhead Address: 3024 La Honda Drive, Escondido, CA 92027
Elevation Gained: 750′
