Lower Doane Valley and French Valley Hike Guide

[@johnnyfulano5506]

Thanks Chris I've hiked all over San Diego County and this hike was for me the most beautiful terrain. Without a doubt it has the biggest trees I've seen in the county.

[@Hikingguy]

Glad you enjoyed it - I love it up there too - really a gem

[@VivianInTheOC]

That tree! Wow!

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, it's incredible, wish I knew the story there...

[@cardiffchris]

My first solo hike as a kid.

[@victoriaaydelott6187]

Hi Cris. I just wanted to say THANK YOU for such a detailed map for this EZ trail. I took my dog (Bella Bear) and she loved it. Nice Sunday Nature Walk. I am a new follower.

[@Hikingguy]

Great to hear, thank you! This hike is a hidden gem and I love it.

[@martharunstheworld]

Lots of banana slugs in the SF Bay Area as well! Great trail guide as usual!

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you! 👍

[@HuskyMike]

That's a neat hike. The Weir is pretty cool. HA! Banana Slugs... I saw one by the Weir when I did this years ago.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, I didn't know about the slugs until I talked to a ranger a few years ago. Pretty cool.

[@blitztim6416]

Beautiful area. I like the the trails are loops, not up and back. I've camped there once and had a great time. Best forest in SoCal. The pond is nice. And they have dogwoods. Which are really nice when in bloom.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, there are a ton of dogwoods that bloom on Chimney Creek - will have a guide up that takes you past them (when they're in bloom of course)... 👍👍👍👍

[@lorens7837]

Thank you SO MUCH! Love videos like this. A brief mini-escape.

[@TupeloHoney6104]

What a gem of a hike! I'm getting out there. Thanks!

[@aquanoun]

Just did this one again on Saturday. Great forest/meadow scenario, and the Weir is a cool destination at the end. Maybe one day I'll see you on one of these trails. Thanks, Cris!

[@Hikingguy]

Ha I just missed you, was there on Wed - hope to see you out there some day & glad you got to enjoy this one 👍

[@concerned1313]

I've done one recon of Palomar via automobile about a decade or so ago and roughly this hike plus a couple of others (one you did on another video) in the immediate area are and will remain on my bucket list in the next decade. I'd camp either over the hill in the National Forest or in the State Park. Thank you Cris, an excellent video, will retain this for future review! My problem is that I only get weekends off and I don't like to compete with weekend crowds...

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 👍 and yes, def worth another visit, it feels like the Sierras up there (at least more than it feels like SD)

[@reservedSuperHero]

i gotta check this out. never been on the palomar mountain area. but ive done the rest of san diego hikes.

[@Hikingguy]

Def worth a trip, a few good ones up there and spectacular scenery.

[@keithpomella9953]

I wonder if historically there were more large ponderosa pines Then fur trees and if it had been heavily logged if that’s accurate.

[@diannchumney3216]

Is there cell service on this hike? If "yes", is it solid or iffy?

[@Hikingguy]

I had none on T-Mobile, but there's some LTE coverage by the general store just outside of the park.

[@javiersantiago3524]

Hey I have 2 kids 1 and a 1/2 and 2 and a 1/2 I recommend it for me

[@Hikingguy]

This might be a little long for them. You might just want to enjoy the meadow and lake.

[@Calbear707trees]

Forgive me if I missed it but how long is the hike? Thanks!

[@Hikingguy]

Check the link in the description