McGinty Mountain is considerably less popular than some of the county’s more well-known peaks, like Cowles Mountain, Iron Mountain, and Mount Woodson. This can only be due to its comparatively remote location, because it is a beautiful and challenging hike with some amazing views. Continue reading McGinty Mountain
Rancho Mission Canyon is one of San Diego’s many little neighborhood open space canyons that provides a small swath of natural space within our urban landscape. The nearby Mission Trails Regional Park draws most of the crowds, so you’ll likely have some quiet solitude in which to enjoy the chaparral covered hillsides and chirping birds. Continue reading Rancho Mission Canyon
The highly popular Mount Woodson trail is a favorite destination for many San Diego hikers. Mount Woodson is home to the famous Potato Chip Rock, a large granite boulder that has eroded in such a way as to leave a large, fragile-looking flake of rock that, from the proper angle, appears to be protruding out over the edge of the mountain. So far, the flake has proven quite solid, and it’s actually a pretty safe spot. But dozens of people flock to the site daily to get their picture taken in this seemingly death-defying location.
Even if you’re not in it for the photo op, Mount Woodson is still a worthwhile hike. There are several trails that lead up the mountain, all of which provide a good workout. This post details the western route, which begins at the scenic Lake Poway, continues up a steep fire road amid sage scrub and chaparral, then winds through a maze of giant white boulders to the top of the mountain. Continue reading Mount Woodson (Potato Chip Rock) via Lake Poway
Corte Madera Mountain is a great hike if you’re looking for some quiet solitude. A somewhat long drive, rugged dirt road, and limited parking means not too many people venture out for this trek. But should you undertake this adventure, your effort will be rewarded with a peaceful trail that takes you through dense creekside oaks, hills covered in chaparral and speckled with colorful boulders, thick swathes of manzanita, a respectable showing of Coulter pines, and finally some expansive views of the southern portion of the Cleveland National Forest. Continue reading Corte Madera Mountain
Tijuana River Valley Regional Park (which is NOT actually in Tijuana) is an almost 1700 acre park in the South Bay region of San Diego. The park hosts over 20 miles of interconnected dog-friendly trails open to hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The park is adjacent to the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve and offers some great opportunities for bird-watching. Continue reading Tijuana River Valley Regional Park (Northeast)
I feel pretty safe in saying that Cowles Mountain in Mission Trails Regional Park is the most well-known, and well-used hiking trail in San Diego County. It’s easily accessible, provides a great workout, and as the highest point within the City of San Diego, offers some fantastic views. But maybe you’ve hiked the main trail so many times you can do it in your sleep, or perhaps you want a little less company on your next hike. Maybe you want a longer hike, or maybe you just want a change of scenery. Continue reading Cowles Mountain via Big Rock Park
Iron Mountain is one of the more popular hikes in San Diego County, maybe second only to Cowles Mountain. The trail head is easily accessible, located right off Highway 67 in Poway, offers a reasonably challenging trek for the average person, and on a clear day has some amazing views of northeast San Diego County. Thus it is a common destination for San Diegans looking for a quick outdoor workout. Continue reading Iron Mountain
Tecolote Canyon is one of many canyons and open space areas within the City of San Diego. Tucked away behind houses, businesses, and golf courses, these canyons provide refuge to both humans who want to escape the city atmosphere for a morning jog or afternoon stroll, as well as countless birds and other wildlife seeking a suitable habitat in our increasingly urban world. Continue reading Tecolote Canyon (South)
Lakeside River Park is a small, yet scenic stretch of the San Diego River. This trail is something of a work in progress. The original groundbreaking took place in 2006, and since then workers and volunteers have built a nice little trail and restored a substantial amount of native vegetation along the river. Future plans include additional removal of invasive plants and planting of natives, as well as extending the trail in both directions. We visited the trail on a warm summer evening shortly before sunset, and found the trail provided a pleasant little stroll with lots of birds and other wildlife. Continue reading Lakeside River Park
One of the most effective ways to beat the heat while hiking is to get an early start. So when we decided we were going to hike Monument Peak, we figured why not get the earliest start possible, and enjoy a scenic sunrise? It just so happens that there is an awesome view point just a couple miles south of Monument Peak at the Desert View Picnic Grounds, right along the Pacific Crest Trail. Thus, our plan began to emerge: get to the picnic area for sunrise, then pick up the PCT and head north to the unsigned use trail that led to Monument Peak. Continue reading Monument Peak (via Desert View Picnic Area)
