February 6: Double Peak / Discovery Lake Hike
From Double Peak Dr., San Marcos park at gate or on street. This will be our starting and finishing point for both hikes.
7:45 am: On the first hike we will hike on the San Elijo side through a residential area for a short time until we reach some small trails that will take us to San Elijo Park (Water and restroom are here) where we pick up the Sunset Trail to the Repeater Tower on the Cerro De Las Posas Ridgeline which we will take back to our starting point. This will take about 2 hours for 5 miles.
10:45 am: On the second hike we will go from starting point at the gate at Double Peak Dr. Hike up the road to the Double Peak Park (Water and restroom are here), hike down to the Ridgeline Trail to trail going down to the San Marcos side to Discovery Lake (Water and restroom here) where we will circle the lake, then go down the Creek Trail then circle back to the Double Peak Trail back up to the starting point. This will take about 3 hours for 5 miles.
Bring a 2021 Medical Form (link below), and essentials from the list below.
- If possible take your temperature before coming
- Wear a mask
- Keep 6′ social distance
- We will email by January 8 and post on our website if any new restrictions are added by the City of San Marcos.
February 13: Manchester Reserve Walk
A two mile easy to moderate loop Manchester Preserve is an 123-acre open space that supports coastal sage, southern maritime chaparral, and willow woodlands. It’s a beautiful area to enjoy for an hour or two.
Handicap Accessible: Not recommended
Bring: Water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sturdy shoes.
Rain: Cancelled if raining
Restrooms: No
- If possible take your temperature before coming
- Wear a mask
- Keep 6′ social distance
- We will email by Thursday and post on our website if any new restrictions are added by the City.
March 13: Rancho Carrillo Walk
- If possible take your temperature before coming
- Wear a mask
- Keep 6′ social distance
- We will email by Thursday and post on our website if any new restrictions are added by the City.
April 17: Carlsbad Beach Walk
- If possible take your temperature before coming
- Wear a mask
- Keep 6′ social distance
- We will email by Thursday and post on our website if any new restrictions are added by the City.
2021 Future Hike Calendar
Dates and locations are subject to change – sign up for OA e-updates (below) or check back here.
• Mar 6: Rancho La Costa Habitat
• Apr 10: Mount Woodson
• May 1: Daley Ranch (different trail than January)
• Jun 5: San Jacinto Peak
• Jul 10: Big Laguna Trail
• Aug 7: Bridge to Nowhere
• Sep: Cedar Creek Falls (date?)
• Oct 2: 10-mile beach hike
• Nov 6: Lake Hodges – 10 mile San Pascal Valley Loop
• Dec 4: Villa de Valle to Ramona
2021 FUTURE Walk Calendar
Walking is good for our soul. God can slow us down and make us more open to hear and see Him.
Dates and locations are subject to change – sign up for OA e-updates (below) or check back here.
(mostly 2nd Saturdays)
• May 8: Calaveras Hills
• Jun 12: Golf Park & Veterans’ Park website
• Jul 10: San Dieguito Park
• Aug 14: Annie’s Canyon
• Sep 11 : Oceanside Harbor
• Oct 9: Encinitas Ranch Trail
• Nov 13: San Elijo
2021 Camp Calendar
Camping is a great time to relax, explore, and enjoy friendships old and new in God’s creation. We look forward to getting outdoors with you again.
Dates and locations are subject to change – sign up for OA e-updates (below) or check back here.
TENT CAMPING:
• May 28-31: Memorial Day Weekend at Idyllwild Park – registration pending
Dates: Sedona
• Sep 3-6: Labor Day Weekend – TBD
ADVENTURE IDEAS
SAN ELIJO LAGOON
BATIQUITOS LAGOON
ELFIN FOREST RESERVE
(image courtesy of the Elfin Forest Gallery – be sure to check it out on their website)
HELPFUL TIPS
Backpacking Essentials

Essential 7- 10: Medication (first aid supplies), Incineration (Fire – Waterproof matches), Fabrication (Repair kit and tools), Protection (Emergency shelter).

Other important things beyond the ten essentials to consider: hiking poles, supplies for Bio brakes (trowel, toilet paper, wipes and bags to carry off used paper), and a bandanna.
Backpack with all the gear plus 2 liters of water. It weighs out at 15 lbs. I used my regular backpacking pack as my daypack, gained a few lbs, because I don’t have a 30 liter pack anymore only the 54 liter one.
Gear and Essentials Info from REI
How to Minimize Your Footprint
Taking Your Kids Camping and Hiking
MORE:
- Use moving blankets (purchase at Harbor Freight $5) use as table cloth, area rug for tent and pad under air mattress.
- Durable/comfortable cot – the brand is Kingdom Cot from REI or Amazon.
- Cooking – use oil spray instead of liquid cooking oil
- If there are no showers at a campsite. Use Body Wipes instead (it is more refreshing than shower) and dry shampoo spray available in Walmart at the elder section. (For Big Bear camping – Serrano Campsite across the lake has showers – bring quarters.)
- Towels – use quick dry towels, which are available in many stores.
- Keeping your cooler cold: This will help to reduce the number of times you need to replace ice in your cooler, Here’s a tip to keep the ice and food cold for 4-5 days.
- Cool the cooler 24 hours prior to use.
- Insulate the cooler – pictures below: