Black Mountain is a relatively small yet scenic peak in the Rancho Penasquitos area. It’s antenna clad crest stands out prominently amid its lower lying surroundings, and can be easily seen and identified from other nearby San Diego peaks like Mt. Woodson and Iron Mountain. Continue reading Black Mountain via The Nighthawk Trail
Category Archives: Peaks
McGinty Mountain
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
Mount Woodson (Potato Chip Rock) via Lake Poway
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
Ghost Mountain/Marshal South Trail (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park)
Ghost Mountain is a small and unassuming promontory along the southern edge of Blair Valley. At first glance, the peak doesn’t seem particularly noteworthy, but for 16 years in the 1930’s and 40’s, it was the home of author Marshal South and his family.
During the Great Depression, South and his wife Tanya built their home atop Ghost Mountain. They called their homestead “Yaquitepec,” or “House of the Sun,” and lived there for nearly two decades. They raised three children in their desert sanctuary, making their living by writing articles for Desert Magazine and hauling everything they needed to survive up the nearly 1-mile trail we were about to ascend. Continue reading Ghost Mountain/Marshal South Trail (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park)
Cuyamaca Peak and Conejos Trail (Cuyamaca Rancho State Park)
Cuyamaca Peak is the second highest peak in San Diego County, topping out at 6512 feet. It’s distinctive shape, like a cresting wave, is a familiar landmark that can be seen from atop many of the peaks throughout San Diego. Add in the fact that its extremely easy to get to, and has a convenient paved road leading to the top, and you have a must-do trek for any serious hiker in San Diego. Continue reading Cuyamaca Peak and Conejos Trail (Cuyamaca Rancho State Park)
Corte Madera Mountain
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
Cowles Mountain via Big Rock Park
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
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
Oakzanita Peak (Cuyamaca Rancho State Park)
It was one of those awful weekends where it was forecast to be 100+ degrees in the lovely East County hamlet we call home. Refusing to submit to a weekend of lying around the house being too miserable and hot to move, I consulted the trusty Internet and found Cuyamaca Rancho State Park had a pleasantly cool forecast high of only 89 degrees. Everything’s relative. Continue reading Oakzanita Peak (Cuyamaca Rancho State Park)
Monument Peak (via Desert View Picnic Area)
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)