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HIKE - Horsethief Canyon
A new natural area of San Diego to explore. Horsethief Canyon is within the 13,500-acre Pine Creek Wilderness in SE San Diego County. Habitats found in this wilderness include chaparral, scrub oak, riparian and oak woodland. It was appropriately named as it was used by horse thieves in the 1880s to hide their stolen horses. Beautiful views, no people, and undisturbed wilderness.

The hike will be a moderate to somewhat strenuous 4.5- mile total, with the first half down 600 feet into the canyon to the Pine Valey Creek and then back up again. Possible water crossings. Trial is a bit slippery with decomposed granite, steps and a few rocks.
Dress in layers, bring plenty of water, a lunch to eat at the pool at the bottom of the canyon, poles required, good hiking shoes. No Restroom

 Directions: Park at the spacious lot on Barrett Truck Trail, just off Japatul Lyons Valley Road. Near Descanso. From I-8, go south on Japatul Valley Road for 5.5 miles. Turn left on Lyons Valley Road. Go 1.5 miles to Japatul Fire Station. turn left into the staging area. No GPS location