Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

• SD - Urban Walk/Social - San Diego Zoo Safari Park

  • When
    Sat, March 28, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027
  • Registered
    7 registrants

  Register

  SAN DIEGO SAFARI PARK/SOCIAL

  This year we will be hiking through the famous San Diego Safari Park on Saturday Mar 28th @ 9:00am. We will hike through the park in its entirety including taking a ride on the Africa Tram. Tickets/membership should be purchased prior to the event. If this is an event you would like to participate in but cannot access it due to finances, please reach out to KJ Archer at [email protected]

  
  

  Details: We will hike through the park going counter-clockwise

  Host: KJ Archer (619-214-6353)

  RSVP: Please RSVP so I know how many to expect. If we have a large group, please mask/social distance, as needed.

  Meeting Location: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027

  https://maps.app.goo.gl/LgYq5MSbDxM2GZ4J7
  

  Meeting Date & Time: Saturday Mar 28th @ 9:00am inside the front entrance at the map stand - We will plan to leave from the inside of the park entrance at 9:15am.

  
  

  Parking: Parking is $20/vehicle for standard and $45/vehicle for preferred parking. Carpooling is recommended to keep costs down.

  Cost: Self purchased membership/tickets required for entry

  Time Commitment: Plan for approx. 4-6 hours, group dependent  

  
  

  
  

  Great Outdoors San Diego EDI Statement

  Great Outdoors San Diego and our members enjoy the privilege of using the outdoors for recreation. We strive to include more of our community, especially those historically not included. Please encourage your friends, neighbors, and community members to come out and join us! If something is holding them back, please contact GOSD to explore accommodations including equipment available for lend or sponsorships for events.

  Show details
• SD - Hike - Iron Mountain

  • When
    Sun, March 29, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Iron Mountain Trail off 67 and Poway Road
  • Registered
    7 registrants

  Register

  Iron Mountain Hike

  9am at Iron Mountain Trail off 67 and Poway Road

  
  

  Join us for our monthly San Diego excursion. This week we will be hiking the Iron Mountain Trail on Sunday March 29th at 10am. It is a 5.2 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Poway, California that features scenic views. This is a moderate 5.2 mile in-and-out hike with around 1100 feet in elevation change. This is an open invite to members or non-members (and their pups!) and does not require an RSVP. Please be sure to mask-up/social distance, as appropriate.

  Hike Start Time and Location: 9am at trailhead 

  Hike Length: 5.2 miles

  Hike Elevation Change: 1100’ total elevation gain

  Hike Difficulty Rating: Moderate 

  Estimated Hike Time: ~3-4 hours 

  Hike Type (out-and-back, loop, shuttle): Out and back

  Parking Information: We will take the Iron Mountain Trail off 67 and Poway Road near Poway, CA. Parking lot at trailhead with restrooms. https://goo.gl/maps/oZXQg5haJNtqZjxTA 

  Costs involved: Free

  Pets Permitted: Yes

  Who to Contact with Questions: Tyler Roosden 651.497.1611

  *Note on the 10 essentials - The 10 essentials are a collection or system of items that significantly increase your safety on any hike or outdoors trip. This is not an exhaustive list of anything you could ever need. You can visit the link included Here but one version of this list is as follows:

  1. Navigation

  2. Headlamp

  3. Sun Protection

  4. First Aid

  5. Knife

  6. Fire

  7. Shelter

  8. Extra food

  9. Extra water

  10. Extra clothes

  
  

  Great Outdoors San Diego EDI Statement

  Great Outdoors San Diego and our members enjoy the privilege of using the outdoors for recreation. We strive to include more of our community, especially those historically not included. Please encourage your friends, neighbors, and community members to come out and join us! If something is holding them back, please contact GOSD to explore accommodations including equipment available for lend or sponsorships for events.

  Show details
• SD - Hike - Green Valley Falls

  • When
    Sat, April 18, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - East Mesa Trailhead
  • Registered
    3 registrants

  Register

  Green Valley Falls Hike

  Saturday April 18th, 2026 @ 9am

  

  This hike takes us to the southernmost part of Cuyamaca park and then we will Lunch at Green Valley Falls!

  Starting at the East Mesa Trailhead parking area, we will travel west on the East Boundary Fire Road for 1.3 miles, turning south on the Blue Ribbon Trail for 1.5 miles. At the boundary of the park, we will pick up the Merrigan Fire Road 1.1 miles to the Sweetwater Trail and head back north 1.2 miles. We then take a small connector to the Falls Fire Road heading to the Green Valley campground. We will have lunch at Green Valley Falls (which will likely be busy); and afterward we walk through the Green Valley Campground and then head back to East Mesa Trailhead.

  Event Start Time / Location: We leave promptly at 9 AM from East Mesa Trailhead.  Rain cancels.

  Length & Elevation: A bit less than 8 miles and approximately 800 feet elevation gain. Out & Back.

  Estimated Hike Duration: 9 AM start, est finish is 2PM

  Specific Challenges (stairs, animals, allergens): Pack water, lunch, snack and ten essentials.

  Parking & Directions: Take SR (HWY) 79 North from Interstate 8. The East Mesa Parking area/Trailhead is about a half mile past the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park entry sign. It comes after the Oakzanita parking area and before the Green Valley Campground. No parking pass is required to park here. There are no restrooms on this trail until we reach the Green Valley Campground. 

  Costs involved: Free

  Pets Permitted: No

  Who to Contact with Questions: Scott Opis at [email protected]

  
  

  Great Outdoors San Diego EDI Statement

  Great Outdoors San Diego and our members enjoy the privilege of using the outdoors for recreation. We strive to include more of our community, especially those historically not included. Please encourage your friends, neighbors, and community members to come out and join us! If something is holding them back, please contact GOSD to explore accommodations including equipment available for lend or sponsorships for events.

  Show details
• SD - Hike - Warrior Hike to El Capitan Mountain Peak

  • When
    Sat, May 23, 2026
  •  
    7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    El Capitan County Preserve: 13775 Blue Sky Ranch Road, Lakeside, CA 92040
  • Registered
    2 registrants

  Register

  Warrior Hike - El Capitan Mountain

  Saturday May 23, 2026 at 7:30am

  

  Follow the El Cajon Mountain Summit Trail to the top of El Capitan. The top offers wonderful views of the surrounding area and the mountainside dotted with large granite boulders. The trail is steep and can be loose in some areas, good hiking footwear is necessary and many hikers choose to bring trekking poles along.

  Note: This event is hosted by San Diego County Parks and Recreation, signing up for this event will only express interest in attending the event on your own to meet up with other GOSD members, including a GOSD Trip Leader.

  Hike Start Time and Location: 7:30am at El Capitan County Preserve: 13775 Blue Sky Ranch Road, Lakeside, CA 92040

  Hike Length: 11 miles round with optional turnaround points at 1 and 3miles. 

  Hike Elevation Change: 3300 ft

  Hike Difficulty Rating: Easy to Difficult depending on turnaround point.

  Estimated Hike Time: 7 Hours - 8 Hours including a water/nutrition stop and a lunch break

  Hike Type (out-and-back, loop, shuttle): out-and-back

  Hiking Trail Details: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/el-capitan--2

  Hike Specific Challenges (scrambling, narrow passages, allergens): Elevation and Length

  Costs involved: None

  Pets Permitted: Not permitted

  What to Bring in Addition to Your 10 Essentials*: N/A

  Who to Contact with Questions: Trip Leader Tyler Roosden at [email protected]

  *Note on the 10 essentials - The 10 essentials are a collection or system of items that significantly increase your safety on any hike or outdoors trip. This is not an exhaustive list of anything you could ever need. You can visit the link included Here but one version of this list is as follows:

  1. Navigation

  2. Headlamp

  3. Sun Protection

  4. First Aid

  5. Knife

  6. Fire

  7. Shelter

  8. Extra food

  9. Extra water

  10. Extra clothes

  
  

  Great Outdoors San Diego EDI Statement

  Great Outdoors San Diego and our members enjoy the privilege of using the outdoors for recreation. We strive to include more of our community, especially those historically not included. Please encourage your friends, neighbors, and community members to come out and join us! If something is holding them back, please contact GOSD to explore accommodations including equipment available for lend or sponsorships for events.

  Show details
• SD - Camping/Backpacking - John Muir Lakes

  • Start
    Sun, July 05, 2026
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • End
    Sat, July 11, 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM
  • Location
    Four Jeffrey Campground - Inyo National Forest
  • Spaces left
    15
  • Registered
    10 registrants

  Register

  John Muir Wilderness 9 Lakes Backpack

  in the Sabrina Basin (Intermediate)

  July 5-7 Campout, July 7-11 Backpack 

  Total Distance: 17miles (7mi with backpack)  Elevation Gain: 3,400ft (1,500 with backpack) Route Type: Out and Back 

  
  

  We have room for up to 10 backpackers, plus 10 car campers (or 5 RVs)

  If you’ve longed for space and time to soak in the unfathomable beauty of a place and love to wander and explore and bask in the majesty of wilderness without having to pack up and move camp and hike every day, this trip is for you! Every part of this trip is spectacular! It is rated as intermediate based on length of the backpack (4 nights/5 days), distance traveled from vehicles, terrain, elevation, elevation gain and loss and expected weather. 

  Blue Lake: In Inyo National Forest (Sabrina Basin) is a stunning, crystal-clear alpine lake at roughly 10,400 feet elevation. Known for its brilliant blue-green water, it is surrounded by jagged 13,000-foot granite peaks, meadows, and wildflowers, offering a quintessential Sierra Nevada wilderness experience. Situated in the John Muir Wilderness above Lake Sabrina, the area features waterfalls, dramatic granite cliffs, and high alpine meadows. The trail to Blue Lake is well-traveled, often serving as a starting point for exploring deeper into the Sabrina Basin, including Dingleberry, Hungry Packer, and Midnight Lakes, and we will explore all of those lakes – and more – on this trip.

  Night sky: This trip will offer exceptional, dark-sky viewing conditions with a waning crescent moon that rises late, allowing for prime stargazing. Early July is peak season for viewing the galactic core of the Milky Way, with the best viewing being between 00:00 and 5:00. The Alpha Capricornids meteor shower will be active. It is known for producing slow-moving, bright fireballs. Venus will rise more than 2 hours before sunrise, while Mars and Uranus will be close together in the sky on July 4.

  Schedule

  • Sunday, July 5 - Arrive, check in, set up, welcome tea, campfire. We will enjoy the first two nights at beautiful and spacious Four Jeffrey Campground in the Inyo National Forest, which extends along the South Fork of Bishop Creek at 8,300 ft. elevation. Two sides are shaded by aspens, cottonwoods, and Jeffrey and lodgepole pines. Each campsite accommodates 2 vehicles and up to 6 campers, with a bear locker and picnic table. Restrooms have flush toilets and sinks. Firewood is available from the camp hosts.
  • Monday, July 6 - Two options for activities:

  • • Boating on Sabrina Lake, picnic lunch, dinner, campfire (boat rental not included in registration fee, last time we rented a rowboat. Fishing is also an option).
    • Moderate loop hike to Long Lake (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/long-lake-via-bishop-pass-trail) which starts from the South Lake trailhead and goes part way to Bishop Pass, (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/chocolate-lakes-loop-trail), tea, pot luck dinner, campfire.
  • Tuesday, July 7 - Any car campers will break camp and head home by noon. Backpackers will drive to the Sabrina Lake trailhead and park, then hike to Blue Lake and set up camp for 4 nights on the granite benches on the west-side of Blue Lake. Explore the lake, soak your feet, take a dip.

  
  

  • Wednesday, July 8 - Day hike to Baboon Lakes (2 mi. rt, 600 ft. elev. Gain), or Donkey Lake (1 mi. rt, 240 ft. elev. Gain). The view of the Sierra Crest reflecting in the upper Baboon Lake is considered one of the most beautiful spots in the Sabrina Basin.

  • Thursday, July 9 -  day hike to Hungry Packer, Midnight, and Moonlight Lakes (7-8 miles rt, 1,500 ft. elev. Gain/loss). Here is a beautiful blog with pictures and short descriptions of the hike: https://www.out-hiking.com/blog/backpacking-to-hungry-packer-lake-bishop-california

  
  

  • Friday, July 10 - Free day – rest, relax, explore other nearby lakes (e.g. Emerald).

  • Saturday, July 11 - break camp, hike back down to Sabrina Lake parking lot, drive home

  Important Considerations:

  • Must have at least:
  • • Basic backpacking experience
    • Some lightweight gear that is suitable for backpacking. Note: Some items may be loaned by the trip leader and/or SDGO as needed but would need to be determined well in advance of the trip.
  • All food and toiletries for the 4-night, 5-day backpack must be stored and carried in a bear canister in your backpack.
  • Must be able to carry a 35-40 lb. pack uphill at a moderate pace for 4 miles at elevations from 9,000-11,500 feet.
  • We will rotate carrying any group equipment (e.g. first aid kit, water filters, mosquito shelter).
  • After registration, please expect an email from the trip leader, Steve Fitzgerald ([email protected]) to arrange a time to discuss this trip, answer any questions you may have, and make sure it is right for you.
  • We lucked out and were able to obtain a wilderness pass for up to 10 backpackers in our group!
  • Priority will be given to those who are able to commit to the entire trip. If you’d like to join but can only participate for part of the trip, please contact Steve to discuss.

  Weather: Expect warm days and chilly (low-mid 40s) evenings and mornings. Dressing in layers is the best way to manage the possible range of temperatures. Precipitation is always a possibility, so rain gear is mandatory.

  Bring: 10 Essentials for the campout and hike. Steve will send registered backpackers a list of required and recommended gear for the 4-night backpack. 

  Cost: $40 for tent Camper Only, $50 for Camper/Backpacker, $80 for RV camper only (note: no hookups). When capacity is reached, a waiting list will be in effect. Cancel by June 15 to receive a refund.

  Other considerations: As with any backcountry experience, this one is "Leave no Trace" - our trash comes out with us, including toilet paper, and excrement is buried and covered far away from water sources. Active bear area - mandatory use of either bear cannisters or hanging food sacks.  

  Directions: 370 miles, 6+ hours from San Diego. Take 15 to 215 to 395 N to Bishop. In Bishop, turn left on S Lake Rd (CA 168) and follow it 15 miles to Four Jeffrey Campground in Inyo National Forest, and turn LEFT into the entrance, then right to our reserved sites.

  Trip Leader: Please contact Steve Fitzgerald at steve.thrives@gmail.com

  
  

  Show details
• SD - Urban Walk/Social - San Diego Zoo

  • When
    Sat, September 19, 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego, CA 9210
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  SAN DIEGO ZOO HIKE/SOCIAL

  Join us at the zoo!. This year we will be hiking through the famous San Diego Zoo on Sat Sept 19th @ 10:00am. We will hike through the park to the far end and take a different path back to the entrance. Tickets/membership should be purchased prior to the event. If this is an event you would like to participate in but cannot access it due to finances, please reach out to KJ Archer at [email protected]

  
  

  Details: We will hike through the park to the far end and take a different path back to the entrance

  Host: KJ Archer (619-214-6353)

  RSVP: Please RSVP so I know how many to expect. If we have a large group, please mask/social distance, as needed.

  Meeting Location: 2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego, CA

  92101 https://maps.app.goo.gl/brG2rRmm333248LC9

  Meeting Date & Time: Sat Sept 19th @ 10:00am inside the front entrance at the map stand - We will plan to leave from the inside of the park entrance at 10:15am.

  Parking: Ample parking available.

  Cost: Self purchased membership/tickets required for entry

  Time Commitment: Plan for approx. 4-6 hours, group dependent  

  
  

  Great Outdoors San Diego EDI Statement

  Great Outdoors San Diego and our members enjoy the privilege of using the outdoors for recreation. We strive to include more of our community, especially those historically not included. Please encourage your friends, neighbors, and community members to come out and join us! If something is holding them back, please contact GOSD to explore accommodations including equipment available for lend or sponsorships for events.

  Show details
• SD - Urban Walk/Social - San Diego Zoo Safari Park

  • When
    Sun, November 15, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  SAN DIEGO SAFARI PARK/SOCIAL

  This year we will be hiking through the famous San Diego Safari Park on Sunday Nov 15th @ 10:00am. We will hike through the park in its entirety including taking a ride on the Africa Tram. Tickets/membership should be purchased prior to the event. If this is an event you would like to participate in but cannot access it due to finances, please reach out to KJ Archer at [email protected]

  
  

  Details: We will hike through the park going counter-clockwise

  Host: KJ Archer (619-214-6353)

  RSVP: Please RSVP so I know how many to expect. If we have a large group, please mask/social distance, as needed.

  Meeting Location: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027

  https://maps.app.goo.gl/LgYq5MSbDxM2GZ4J7
  

  Meeting Date & Time: Sunday Nov 15th @ 10:00am inside the front entrance at the map stand - We will plan to leave from the inside of the park entrance at 10:15am.

  Parking: Parking is $20/vehicle for standard and $45/vehicle for preferred parking. Carpooling is recommended to keep costs down.

  Cost: Self purchased membership/tickets required for entry

  Time Commitment: Plan for approx. 4-6 hours, group dependent  

  
  

  
  

  Great Outdoors San Diego EDI Statement

  Great Outdoors San Diego and our members enjoy the privilege of using the outdoors for recreation. We strive to include more of our community, especially those historically not included. Please encourage your friends, neighbors, and community members to come out and join us! If something is holding them back, please contact GOSD to explore accommodations including equipment available for lend or sponsorships for events.

  Show details