Boulder Loop, Cougar Ridge, Engelmann Oak, Hidden Spring and Jack Creek Meadow Loop is a 7.4 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Escondido, California that offers the chance to see wildlife. The trail is rated as moderate and is primarily used for hiking, running, and bird watching. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
not bad if you stay off the main loop trail, like taking side legs and loops when you can. the main loop is really a road (the first part of which is paved) and has lots of traffic. the side loops have great views, better vegetation and wildlife. will do again during the week to avoid the bikers and families.
Did the loop counterclockwise. Easy hike and decently isolated on a Saturday.
We started at the La Honda Dr end where parking was full so we paid the $5 to park at Dixon Lake. We did Boulder Loop to Cougar Ridge to Engelmann Oak to Hidden Spring to Jack Creek Meadow back to Ranch House which was just over 8 miles. Mostly nice wide trails with great views much of the way, especially Boulder Loop. Lots of up and down. Hidden Creek is also lovely but with the steep slopes was a mountain biker magnet allowing incredible speeds so stay alert and ready to jump off the trail. Spotted one deer off of Cougar Ridge. Restrooms at the Ranch House and at Dixon Lake parking.
Beautiful views and terrain BUT allow plenty of time of doing trail close to sunset!! It get get a bit spooky at night and remote ... just saying
Beautiful trail that starts out with a paved road, then goes through beautiful area covered with trees and through the ranch house. There is a real restroom next to the ranch house and a few donated items like a horse carriage. It then goes to a flat section for some time, but you could take a right and go for the more interesting, next to the hill path. It then leads you to the best part of the hike - through the up and down hills with breathtaking views and interesting flora and fauna. Overall a great hike. Highly recommended!
Easy trail - couple of ups and downs, and a concrete road way for the first mile. But beautiful views when up high, and a great diversity. We arrived at 7am to get a parking spot and avoid the initial foot and bike traffic that builds up at the trail head.
There were a lot of people here on Saturday, we had to park on the street farther down from the completely full parking lot near the trail head. I’d avoid if you’re worried about social distancing. Otherwise nice trail with relatively low elevation gain. Ended up just doing boulder loop which has a nice climbing area if you have bouldering gear.
Nice summer hike. Couple light elevation gains but nothing too strenuous. Suggest hiking earlier in day. Mid day is warm. Like previous reviews, great sample of multiple types of trails and verge. It’s all here. Beautiful views from multiple vantage points once you start climbing up. Some residential views but nothing to glaring. Lots of vistas and places to sit. Shade is limited. All in all, great hike and worth the effort.
This trail has every kind of condition possible. It's a paved road walk (Ranch House), dirt road (Jack Creek Meadow), rock covered washed out dirt road (Hidden Spring), mud (Englemann Oak), and overgrown with weeds (Crest). The flora has all the best of Southern California with big oaks, grass meadows, and sagebrush. Great views along the top of the ridge.