My curiosity was piqued, and subsequently found myself on the Torrey Pines Beach Trail, but it was too easy — not nearly as harrowing as the trail by the Gliderport looked.
Yesterday, having an hour and a half to kill on a rare day trip to San Diego, I decided to join those crazy people, and hike down to Black's Beach along an unsafe stairway from the Gliderport.
The trailhead sign advises the public to stay back — DO NOT USE — but there's no physical barricade, and plenty of people climb up and down it on their way to and from the beach.
At first, it's not so harrowing: it's almost paved. Maybe it used to be paved.
But it is severely eroded, and therefore slippery.
Most beach-goers are able to manage it with bare feet or flip-flops.
But it becomes very steep.
The stairs have become so unstable that hikers have carved out a day use trail alongside of them...
...exacerbating the erosion.
I encountered a man coming up who called out to me, "Hello beach neighbor!" When I reciprocated in kind, he warned me of swarming bees.
I walked through anyway.
I could see my beach destination the entire way...
...encountering only one topless woman, despite its reputation for nudity.
Despite the danger...
...the trail withstood constant two-way traffic of surfers, swimmers, tourists, and vacationers...
...with their surf boards, folding chairs, and beach umbrellas.
Although I had to take the trail slowly and carefully...
...being passed by nearly everyone in both directions...
...the ocean breeze cooling the sweat I'd worked up...
...at no point did I feel particularly "crazy"...
...until I had to go back up.
Related Posts:
Photo Essay: Torrey Pines Beach Trail's Unstable Cliffs
Photo Essay: Dangerous Bluffs
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