As I hiked through Sandrock Canyon in Serra Mesa this week, I thought a lot about how I’d describe it in this column.
It’s kind of a funky hike; large sections of it include walking along a cement drainage track, which is actually more enjoyable than it sounds. And while it’s mostly easy, there are some very steep sections that come out of the blue. I found it pretty easy to stay on trail, except for the occasional short path veering in another direction that seemed to go nowhere.
The word I landed on to describe the 2-mile hike is “scrappy.” It accomplishes a lot while melding together a handful of different elements — a dirt trail, the concrete drainage, a mix of native and non-native plants growing on the hillsides. It likely won’t satisfy those looking for a tough adventure, but it was interesting for me to discover a new trail, and I love exploring San Diego’s canyons.
To begin this hike, park at the trailhead on the southern end of Sandrock Road in Serra Mesa. It’s a residential area, and only street parking is available, so be respectful of the neighbors when you’re arriving and leaving.
The trail into Sandrock Canyon begins under a bougainvillea archway. (Maura Fox / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The trail starts under a bougainvillea archway. Hikers will head south along the flat trail as it passes behind backyards and then soon dips down into the canyon.
The dirt trail gives way to a concrete drainage track, which I imagine could fill with water on a rainy day. But it was dry for my spring afternoon hike and provided lovely views of the canyon’s thick vegetation. I heard what sounded like dozens of frogs croaking amid the trees. It was a highlight of the excursion.
At 0.4 miles, the path again gives way to dirt and the route begins to feel more like a hike, still heading south. It’s a bit rugged, so I’d recommend wearing sturdy hiking shoes for this one.
Red bush monkeyflower blooms along the trail. (Maura Fox / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
At 0.6 miles, veer to the left, or east, to delve lower into the canyon. It’s very steep, so use caution. The trail is slightly overgrown here, and I sensed that I was nearing the end of the route since it didn’t seem to be very trafficked.
I turned around after a few more minutes and decided to explore some of the paths I’d passed along the way that diverged from the main one. Ultimately, they didn’t lead to much, and one appeared to just be a trail for wildlife. But even still, I was glad to have checked them out, just to be sure.
Once ready to return, I made my way back along the original route. I only saw one other person while I was out there, and the hike brought me a certain sense of solitude that I didn’t expect to find.