Hike of the week: A simple and sweet trek through the hills of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge

by Maura Fox

Sometimes the simplest hike is the best hike.

This week, I set out to do a loop on the northeastern side of the Sweetwater Reservoir in Spring Valley. But when I got to the trailhead and started down the path, I immediately lost hope. The narrow trail quickly became overrun with brush, and I realized that half the loop traveled through a gated community — which wasn’t what I had in mind for my weekly hike.

Instead of pressing on, I decided to find another hike in the area. Fortunately, the route along Echo Valley Road/Millar Ranch Road in the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge was just a 10-minute drive away. As a basic out-and-back, I wasn’t all that excited about the prospects of this back-up route. But once on the trail, I realized I was too quick to judge. The easy 3.5-mile hike was beautiful, with expansive views of the open space. And while I just hiked the out-and-back, there were trails off the main path that I’ll explore the next time I’m in the area.

To begin, park at the trailhead located at the southern end of Millar Ranch Road. This trail is southeast of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Interpretive Loop, which I’ve written about previously.

Hikers will see where the trail starts; there’s a gate and signage for the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. The path heads south. Note that there is little to no shade on this hike, so bring water and sun protection, and plan your hike time strategically.

Around the mile mark, the trail becomes increasingly rocky as it descends toward an outcropping of shady trees. (Maura Fox / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

The trail is mostly flat, but around the 0.3-mile mark, it does gain some elevation with a gradual climb up a hill. The slow ascent lasts about half a mile before the trail descends down a hillside.

Around 1.2 miles, hikers will start to see several trails intersecting with the main route, but I chose to stay on the trail heading south. It became rockier, and the vegetation shifted drastically on the final leg before I turned around, which made for a nice change of scenery and added some shade. I also saw a hawk take off with a rabbit held in its talons — a sad sight, yet impressive to see nature in action.

I turned around after hiking for 1.8 miles, at the boundary of the wildlife refuge. The return hike was just as pleasant as the initial section — if not more so, since the temperature dropped as the sun dipped lower in the sky.