ESCONDIDO -- Local hikers were greeted with cheers and flashing lights Sunday as they completed the last 12 miles of a five-day, 50-mile progressive trek through Daley Ranch.

"I feel good about it, like I'm ready to do more, go farther," said 70-year-old Fallbrook resident Les Seymour, who was one of 19 hikers and two dogs to complete the hike.

Carrying a backpack and walking stick, Seymour showed off his certificate of completion and shook hands with fellow hikers who completed the trek, congratulating them on a job well done.

"I hadn't hiked in a while, so I needed this to get going again," said the cancer survivor, who has been hiking for about 20 years. "It's great just to get outdoors and away from the city."

Located in the northeast corner of Escondido, Daley Ranch is a 3,058-acre conservation area that is managed by the city to preserve its habitat. It features more than 20 miles of multipurpose trails for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use.

Led by naturalist and marathoner Don Parnell, the event started with an eight-mile hike on Wednesday, followed by a nine-mile hike Thursday, a 10-mile hike Friday, an 11-mile hike Saturday and the concluding 12-mile Sunday hike. Sunday's challenging trek took hikers through Creek Crossing, East Ridge, Sage, Stanley Peak and other trails, where Parnell pointed out natural vegetation and wildlife and offered tidbits on the history of the area.

Parnell likes to emphasize both physical fitness and natural history in his hikes, which he has been leading as a docent at Daley Ranch once a month since 2000.

"That's why we really like coming out here, because it's an educational experience as well as a social activity," said San Marcos resident and retired school teacher Rick Dryer, 63, who completed three days of the hike. He had to teach the other two days.

An avid hiker for more than 40 years who conquered Mount Whitney in September, Dryer came with a group of friends who wanted to keep up their training for more physically demanding hikes. Bill Burke, for example, used Sunday's hike to keep in shape for an upcoming trip to Mount Everest in March. He has conquered the highest mountain on every other continent, except Asia.

"I try to do as many peaks as I can in the local area," said Burke, who added that he liked the camaraderie of the hikes. "I've met some of my best friends in the mountains."

The start of the 50-mile progressive hike came just a few days after Parnell's 76th birthday.

"I used to lead one-, two- and three-hour runs at the ranch for a couple of years," said Parnell, adding that he had to switch gears after he had a total right knee joint replacement last February. "I've been leading long hikes ever since."

"Don is a real inspiration," said Dryer. "There's no limit to his hiking. Age is just a number, not a barrier."

Parnell's wife Dian cheered and held up a sign that read "50-Mile Finish" as her husband completed the hike, alongside 87-year-old Mark Steinberg, a San Marcos resident.

"It was a challenge," said Steinberg. "I was the last one, but I had the honor of walking with the leader."

For more information on Daley Ranch, call (760) 839-4680 or visit the city's Web site at tinyurl.com/748gcb.

Contact staff writer Noelle Ibrahim at (760) 761-4404 or nibrahim@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.