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Hiker spots blue sludge at popular Tecolote Canyon trail

Posted at 4:09 PM, Feb 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-05 21:13:00-05

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Giant globs of blue paint are contaminating one of San Diego’s top hiking destinations, Tecolote Canyon Natural Park.

Tamara Tuttle told 10News she came across the pool-sized paint slick Sunday morning while hiking with a friend on the trail southeast of Balboa Ave. and Clairemont Dr.

Tuttle said she could smell the fumes 100 yards away.

"We couldn't believe it.  The disbelief quickly turned to anger," said Tuttle.

The blue sludge was located near a culvert, under freshly-painted graffiti.

"A lot of paint had been used on it and it matched the paint in the water," said Tuttle.

10News spoke with a bicyclist who said the problem had happened before with other examples of graffiti.

Tuttle filed a report with park rangers.  City officials told 10News that HAZMAT workers are scheduled to visit the area to determine the best way to clean up the spill.