Category Archives: Santee

Dog Friendly, East County, Mission Trails, Santee, Trail Write-Ups, Under 5 miles

Mesa Trail/Big Rock Trail Loop


With its ease of access and numerous beautiful trails, Mission Trails sees a LOT of hikers. While you’ll have a hard time finding any trail with complete solitude in the park, Mesa Trail in the eastern section isn’t as heavily traveled as some of the others. This hike combines the Mesa Service Road, Mesa Trail, and the Big Rock Trail for a nice little loop with a variety of habitats to explore. You can tack on a summit of Cowles Mountain if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, but on a warm day or if you’re just out for a quickie, this short hike is quite nice by itself. Continue reading Mesa Trail/Big Rock Trail Loop →

Dog Friendly, Lakes, Mission Trails, San Diego River, Santee, Trail Write-Ups, Under 5 miles

Kumeyaay Lake


Kumeyaay Lake in Mission Trails Regional Park was once a series of gravel pits along the San Diego River. After being mined out in the 1970’s, the area was restored and has since become an important nesting ground for the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo. The lake is also open to recreational fishing, and lies immediately adjacent to the Kumeeyaay Lake Campground, open on weekends and certain holidays. Continue reading Kumeyaay Lake →

Birding, Dog Friendly, East County, San Diego River, Santee, Trail Write-Ups, Under 5 miles

Walker Preserve Trail

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The Walker Preserve Trail is the most recently completed section of the San Diego River Trail. This section encompasses over 100 acres of mixed sage scrub, riparian and wetland habitat capable of supporting at least 3 federally protected bird species (the Southwestern willow flycatcher, the California gnatcatcher, and the least Bell’s viero). This area was once part of the Walker Family Dairy Farm, and until recently was off-limits to the public as it was used for sand mining. A combination of funding from the City of Santee and various grants were used to purchase the land and construct a beautiful riverside trail that was opened to the public in April 2015. Continue reading Walker Preserve Trail →

Dog Friendly, Mission Trails, Peaks, San Diego, Santee, Trail Write-Ups, Under 5 miles

Kwaay Paay Peak (Mission Trails Regional Park)

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Kwaay Paay Peak in Mission Trails Regional Park doesn’t receive nearly the amount of traffic that its more popular neighbor Cowles Mountain does. This makes it a great alternative for hikers looking for a quick mountain climbing workout but who don’t want to contend with an overcrowded trail and a dearth of parking. Kwaay Paay is somewhat shorter and not quite as tall as Cowles, but in my opinion actually makes for a more intense workout since it lacks the gentle switchbacks of its nearby cousin. Continue reading Kwaay Paay Peak (Mission Trails Regional Park) →

5 miles, Dog Friendly, Mission Trails, Peaks, Santee, Trail Write-Ups

Cowles Mountain via Big Rock Park

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View of Cowles Mountain from near the start of the Big Rock Trail

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 →