Clevenger Canyon-San Pasqual South Trail

Just past the San Diego Safari Park, are the trailheads to San Pasqual North and South. These trails are also referred to as Clevenger Canyon North and South. The south trail is the more visited trail of the two, in part for its views of the San Pasqual Valley and the famous chairs near the summit.

The day started off with a slight mishap, went I went to grab my water bladder, it had leaked! I apparently did not close it fully, so I headed back into Escondido and bought some water at the nearest store, and high-tailed it back to the trailhead. It was August and it was going to get hot.

The trail works its way up the south side of the canyon, making a series of switchbacks until it starts to turn eastward. I crossed over a dry stream before working my way up another section of minor switchbacks. Finally, the chairs came into view!

Initially, you might wonder how much effort it would have taken to haul these two chairs up here, the material for the foundation and the stairs. Then you look to the east and see the house and private road…

The view from the chairs gives you a commanding view of the San Pasqual Valley. After soaking in the vista, I decided to follow the trail onto the north point.

I thought that the end of the trail was the destination for the 100 Peak Challenge. As I learned to use CalTopo and PeakBagger.com, I discovered the peak that I was supposed to have summited was a bump off to the south before the chairs.


I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *