It's more of a foot trail/scramble carved out by surfers to access Blacks Beach Surf, and frankly, it should stay to them. After following the path a few more minutes, you start to see crazy sandstone formations and a deep ravine. The sandstone gets extra slippery when wet so make sure to avoid doing this hike after recent rain. When you reach the bottom of the canyon, go to your left to follow the Ho Chi Minh Trail toward the sea. Before scrolling down, we suggest you check out these other recommendations from our team at Wandering California: Best Beginner Hikes in San Diego: Perfect for First-Timers and Top 8 Hiking Trails near San Diego. Were currently in Las Vegas. Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. As Amazon Associates, we are disclosing this information in accordance with Amazons Program Policies and the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR Rules. Wearing sturdy shoes is advised while hiking this path during wet conditions to make it safer. the steps are very washed out! The trail takes its name from the infamous jungle trail the Viet Cong used during the Vietnam War, a reference to the secretive nature of the La Jolla trail or maybe its challenging and jungle-like features. Ho Chi Minh trail is the most unique hiking trail weve found in San Diego. Would you rappel down Giant waterfall? That is nothing to be proud of. This information will help you pack and dress correctly, allowing you to alter your plans if necessary. Once you go through the narrow rocks things get REAL, FAST! Ho Chi Minh Trail Ho Chi Minh Trail 90 Reviews #29 of 61 things to do in La Jolla Outdoor Activities, Nature & Parks, Hiking Trails 9883 La Jolla Farms Rd, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-1136 Save Review Highlights "NOT FOR BEGINNERS." BE CAREFUL! It has also been used by surfers to get to the surf below since the 1960s. We saw surfers doing it barefoot while holding their boards! Ho Chi Minh Trail San Diego: Waterfall & Slot Canyons Proceed with caution or dont proceed at all, if you arent confident you can make it safely. I dont understand how Vietnamese Americans in California havent caught wind of this and asked for a change of name. Ho Chi Minh Trail San Diego | Local Adventurer - YouTube Best of all, its free! Your email address will not be published. Ho Chi Minh Trail: The Most Dangerous Beach Access in San Diego, California That Adventure Life 9.97K subscribers Subscribe 151 Share 7.4K views 10 months ago LA JOLLA As a San. Ho Chi Minh trail - Wikipedia We are ATLiens who explore a new city every year. Since the hike is nearly entirely on a downward incline, it probably won't put you out of breath, even if you're not in the best shape. Afterwards, we followed a road back up rather than trying to traverse the trail in the dark. The movie, at 2 hours and 40 minutes, was unusually read more, A DC-10 jet crashes into a forest outside of Paris, France, killing all 346 people on board, on March 3, 1974. There are at least 100 rescues a year with quite a number of fatalities! Great local tip, cant wait to check this hike out! Ho Chi Minh Trail (La Jolla) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Read More Leo Carrillo Campground GuideContinue, Casino Point Dive Park is a marine protected area on Catalina Island thats popular for SCUBA divers and snorkeling, Read More Casino Point Dive Park GuideContinue. Some links on the site will take you to online retailers such as Amazon.com, and when you make a purchase we may receive a percentage. Please be very careful. La Jolla surfers have been using this trail unhindered for years and now it is jam packed with families and other hikers. It is also very slippery, more so on the way down. I do not recommend this trail for kids, elderly, or anyone who has poor balance (also I hate to say this but if you're overweight you will not want to take this trail- really tight spaces towards the bottom). Required fields are marked *. Its also quite slippery on the way down. , the tight sandstone slot that the trail descends through. If you are reading reviews tryin to decide if you should do this "hike" you probably shouldn't. 9883 La Jolla Farms Rd, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-1136, $$ - $$$ Italian Pizza Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Vegetarian Friendly, Points of Interest & Landmarks Architectural Buildings. Its a great bang for your bucks. Learn how your comment data is processed. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Even during sunset, dont just shoot out towards the ocean. This trail leads down through Box Canyon to Black's Beach. Beautiful challenging hike - Review of Ho Chi Minh Trail, La Jolla, CA Like many others have said it is easy until about half way. And it is also very photogenic. When you are ready to head back, the quickest return route is back the way you came up Ho Chi Minh Trail. This trail (also known as Saigon Trail) is for only the most adventurous hikers as it requires passing through a narrow slot and delicate footwork on a slippery shelf trail where a fall can cause injuryand does at times. Make a left at Discovery where you will then cross the street. 400 ft. Route Type. Using those and pressing your hands against the sides, you can squeeze through this neat feature. The route sent weapons, manpower, ammunition and other. On the other side of the creek, you may see a pre-used trail leading up the slope to your left. This cliff is eroding and I think it is getting worse and worse. I really think, NO!!! Ho Chi Minh is not a hero to Vietnamese The name reminded to Vietnamese refugees like Hitler / Nazi to Jews. All copyrights to photos, graphics, and text are owned by Local Adventurer and cannot be used without permission. The biggest issue is that the rocks are covered in sand, and if you wear anything besides hiking boots you are prone to slipping. Right before you get to the beach, there will be a rope that you can use to get down. However, to be rewarded with a tropical paradise and waterfall, you must prove youre a worthy adventurer by climbing down to the beach using a rope left behind by the locals. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The trail begins in a quiet neighborhood via a small dirt alley between private properties. This takes us right on top of the last major obstacle, a steep and extremely slippery hill to get down to the beach. Leave your jeans and fashion boots at home! . It's pretty much straight up and straight down on sandy and loose soil. The trailhead can be easy to miss if youre not looking for it. In February 1819, Representative James Tallmadge of New York introduced a bill read more, During the Civil War, the U.S. Congress passes a conscription act that produces the first wartime draft of U.S. citizens in American history. This 0.7-mile loop in La Jolla, California is such a popular destination, youre likely to meet other hikers while exploring. Many people consider it a difficult path because it takes an average of 25 minutes to complete. The La Jolla Run is a short but challenging 5k course located near UCSD. I am the camera guy, videographer, and writer for That Adventure Life. Find a subject. 2 hours is plenty of time to hike Ho Chi Minh Trail, however, you wont have a lot of time for the beach. To get to the beach you have to use a rope to descend down the rocks. Distance 7.2 MilesTime 3.5 HrsDifficulty Moderate Season All Year Elevation Gain 1281 Ft Dogs allowed on a leash Out & Back Trail No Restrooms available You can't go wrong with a trail in the Mt Baldy area. However, we never felt like we were in any real danger. The trail is a little over a mile long one way and concludes at a beautiful beach with black sand and smooth stones. This is the spot where most people take the wrong path. Before climbing down the canyon mouth, youll notice water running down the cliff wall to your left and an abundance of vegetation surrounding the area. The entrance to Ho Chi Minh Trail is located at these coordinates 32.8852, -117.2492 (put these into google maps for routing from your location). We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The formations are other worldly, with the top of the slot canyon looking like a human brain (or maybe its just me). The poor design of the plane, as well as negligent maintenance, contributed to the disaster. Youll eventually come across a narrow section where youll have to shimmy your way down the natural steps. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Ho Chi Minh Trail See all things to do Ho Chi Minh Trail 4 90 #29 of 61 things to do in La Jolla Hiking Trails Write a review What people are saying By jredwood " Beautiful but not easy " Apr 2021 . Your email address will not be published. As the stream bed drops quickly towards the beach, the trail stays relatively level as it follows the canyon wall. We followed the steep, rutted trail down the canyon. Situated on a scenic stretch of Malibu coast just east of the Los Angeles-Ventura County line, Leo Carrillo is a true gem of the California State Parks system, boasting iconic beaches, world-class surf spots, and access to the unspoiled beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains. is named after the infamous jungle trail the Viet Cong used during Vietnam War. When youre ready to go back, you can return the same way, using the Ho Chi Minh Trail (Saigon Trail). 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You may return using the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the same manner that you came. The way there is all downhill. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Some sections are extremely steep and unstable. From this section of the. Saigon Trail | Map, Guide - California | AllTrails Despite the risks on this trail, youll find yourself in a stunning canyon on La Jollas Torrey Pines Mesa which has long been utilized by surfers to access the surf at Blacks Beach. Learn more about us here and dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content. This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. Ho Chi Minh Trail in San Diego, California, is a difficult hike down the high ocean bluffs of La Jolla through a steep canyon that brings you to Blacks Beach. Its quite a popular route for surfers and those paying a visit to Black Beach. At the bottom of the slot the trail proceeds along the south side of the canyon. You should always bring plenty of water. Because its so overgrown, this trail has become increasingly difficult over the years. Hello everyone! San Diego has many beautiful beaches, one of which is Blacks Beach, located in La Jolla. As soon as you pass the iron walls fencing the houses, the trail via left opens up to a steep canyon below. Any driveways should not be blocked. From this viewpoint, you can see a used trail leading up the hillside on the right. The route begins at a tiny alleyway between homes in the La Jolla neighborhood, with warning signs in front of it. top of La Jolla Farms road near the Salk institute between two homes all the way down to Black's Beach nude beach). Guide to camping near Idyllwild, a SoCal alpine playground outdoor adventure. This trail is completely made of sandstone after all, which can crumble at any moment. Almost instantly you'll enjoy amazing views of the canyon and the ocean. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Out-and-Back. 9883 La Jolla Farms Rd, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-1136 . Tip: If you would like to enjoy the beach without the nudists, take a left when you reach the beach. 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Nearby the hike entrance is a service road to the beach, which in the end turns out to be a better workout than the trail itself, and much less of a risk. Wow! When you walk or do any sort of exercise, you usually need to eat more food and drink more water than usual. Ho Chi Minh Trail, La Jolla: See 90 reviews, articles, and 126 photos of Ho Chi Minh Trail, ranked No.29 on Tripadvisor among 61 attractions in La Jolla. For the sure of foot, its a quick way to get to main breaks on Blacks and a fun, adventurous hike. Almost instantly youll enjoy amazing views of the canyon and the ocean. Try not to carry too much stuff with you, at least the first time, to see what you're working with. Weve seen it referred to as the Secret Surf Trail, La Jolla Trail, and the Saigon Trail. Read our full disclosurefor more info. With 2,000 feet deep, Zion Canyon offers an array of paths for all Read more, Idyllwild is a small town nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains in Riverside County, California. For shorter hikes, thePatagonia Womens Nine Trails Pack 18L is perfect to hold water and your essentials. The trail is less than a half-mile long and takes just 15-20 minutes to descend. Mornings for less crowd. There are pretty cool slot canyons here, offering an alternate route to the shore: As a Vietnamese communist refugee from Vietnam. In Havana, Premier Fidel Castro condemned the United States and promised that Cuba would aid North Vietnam. . 2023 A&E Television Networks, LLC. The trail then snakes through dense bushes of vegetation. You will see 3 metal poles. The more foot traffic it sees the faster it will erode. Hotels near Mt. It is obscured by a large bush and can be hard to spot. Two days later, Hayes was again inaugurated in a public ceremony. It has long been used by local surfers, but in the past decade has become VERY popular from the internet. San Diego, California. With arguably some of San Diegos best waves, Blacks Beach can be found in the vicinity of the University of California San Diego campus, at the southern end of Torrey Pines State Beach and north of La Jolla Shores. Ho Chi Minh was not our leader but a terror to my people. Ho Chi Minh trail is the most unique hiking trail we've found in San Diego. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. from . , however, you wont have a lot of time for the beach. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and sunglasses that offer 99 to 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Peter, I respect your wishes but I did not name it, merely posted my adventure while visiting it. There is a viewpoint up here, overlooking the beautiful ocean below. Ho Chi Minh Trail in San Diego, California, is a difficult hike down the high ocean bluffs of La Jolla through a steep canyon that brings you to Blacks Beach. Wear close-toe shoes with GRIP or you're going to slip and fall down. You have to concentrate on your footwork all the way down. You can see the Torrey Pines Gliderport in the distance, and depending on the day, some people in the air. Youll see Scripps Oceanographic Institute pier in the distance. And it is also very photogenic. One thing Im known for when I travel is how I always plan where we eat on our adventures FIRST, before anything else! You should be able to use the address or the coordinates above to map your way there. This unofficial trail is steep and treacherous in spots and follows a natural drainage down an eroded hillside. Keep in mind, there are two other paved and safe ways to get to the beach if you want, this definitely isn't the only way down. margin:0px !important; We made it out ok with the help of other hikers after a 10 foot fall, but there is a history there of airlifts and 911 rescues. You will know you are on the right trackwhen you get to a 4x4 piece of woodthat acts as a makeshift bridge. As a result, the trail in places is high enough above the creek bed that a fall could cause injury. I call this a trail because its not maintained at all. Leave your concerns about time, your job, and other worries behind and rediscover your sense of wonder. Recently its become extremely overgrown and at times feels like youre walking through a jungle. For colder weather, we love our packable Patagonia Puff Jackets! Ho Chi Minh Trail: a slippery San Diego hike to Black's Beach This is a for-profit blog and contains occasional affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. We cant emphasize enough how crucial it is to drink water before, during, and after your trip. It is short, challenging, yet super fun and beautiful. Synthetic, moisture-wicking apparel is a good idea; cotton should be avoided. Manage Settings The trail starts at a small alleyway, between the homes in the neighborhood of La Jolla, with warning signs in front of it. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your On March 3, 1875, indoor ice hockey makes its public debut in Montreal, Quebec. For faster login connect with your Social Network, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window). Parts of the shelf can be quite narrow and slippery, especially when wet. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HI!! Across the canyon on the top of the bluff to the north is Torrey Pines Glider Port, where paragliders fly using the updrafts from the tall bluffs. From there you can see north to Black's Beach and the Torrey Pines golf course. What we did was follow the smooth steps carved out by past hikers, then press our hands and bodies against the sides as we carefully slid down to the bottom. However, we do personally recommend all of the products linked on this website. The trail by the left opens up to a perilous canyon below as soon as you pass the iron fences that fence the properties. Soon, we came up to the major obstacle of Ho Chi Minh Trail (Saigon Trail), the tight sandstone slot that the trail descends through. It has also been used by surfers to get to the surf below since the 1960s. If you're looking for a challenging hike with a rewarding view in the San Diego area, the Ho Chi Minh Trail in La Jolla is a good choice. If not taken slowly or cautiously this trail could be incredibly dangerous. After finding the trailhead, I was excited to see the flora and fauna before I reached the beach and watched the surfers and ocean for most of a morning. The long concrete Scripps Pier is not open to the public unfortunately, but the [], La Jolla Shores Beach is a long, wide, and very popular beach in northern La Jolla. Distance3.19 MilesTime2 HrsDifficultyModerateSeasonAll YearElevation Gain803 Ft No dogs allowed Out & Back trail Restrooms not available Take a stroll through the foothills of the Angeles Forest and into a woodsy canyon where you'll be rewarded with a beautiful Im Phillip, and just like you, I feel very passionate about California and the outdoors. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. But, he did it. The beautiful cliffs above Box Canyon can be accessed by way of the glider port, and there is a well-maintained trail there down to Black's.