Lower Purgatory Trailhead — Attraction in San Marcos

Non-local here. Nice trail but we had trouble with our dogs at the end.. Spent the weekend in San Marcos with family and 2 dogs. Morning temp was like mid 60s so we decided to find a trail to take the dogs on a walk. We had walked one trail on a previous trip but found one closer this time by our hotel. We liked the scan option for trail leads. They seemed accurate. We find our way through even though the trails were poorly marked in places. So we ended up hiking longer than expected. Our large dogs are mostly indoors so getting out hiking is a treat and they love it. But this day we had a bad outcome hiking here. We were almost 2.5 hrs in and finding our way out and the dogs started slowing down. Trail was shaded and rocky with an occasional walk outside in the sun. We were headed out when both dogs stopped walking. So to our surprise both dogs paws pads were pink and peeling. Bad enough that they had to be carried out the rest of the way back to our vehicles. The 60lb was carried out ok but our 90lb needed 2 people to carry him. These dogs have been hiking trails many times before and never have had this happen. We will definitely pass on this trail...

Very nice set of hiking trails that makes you feel like you've gotten away from it all. All of the trail surfaces are dirt and rocks, so none are wheelchair or stroller accessible.

I would recommend bringing a phone if you're unfamiliar with the trail layout, as it can be a bit confusing at first. There is good gps signal though, and all of the trails are marked on Google Maps.

This trail head links up to Upper Purgatory if you follow Dante's trail past the intersection with Beatrice trail, where you'll find an entirely different set of trails and parking lot. Only go past that point of you're prepared for...

This was very nice change of pace. Bring confortable hiking shoes, water for a long walks.... especially now in the summer. It was interesting to navigate. Lots of people on the trail and many of them claimed they were loat. Tons on mountain bikers so pay attention if you wear earbuds. I liked did about half abd that was around 5 miles there and back. The good picture of the map on the way in. It will...