Note: In December 2025, a National Defense Area, approximately 750 acres from the Arizona border to the Otay Mountain Wilderness, was created. This may impact access to this peak.
Once back on the 94 after successfully driving up Otay Mountain, we headed for our second peak of the day, Tecate. I pulled onto the Tecate Mission Road and began working my way toward the base of the peak. I actually missed the primary road, so instead I just followed the border fence until I reached a point where I could rejoin the correct route. From there, it was a long, slow climb to the summit, and this road was not in great shape. There were a few spots where we needed to take some care, but the Subaru did just fine.
Once at the summit, a Mobile Vehicle Surveillance System was stationed there. It was stationed by a young Army soldier, with whom we chatted for some time. Since she was new to San Diego, Susie and I gave her the 411 on the peaks that she could see from her post. After chatting a bit and grabbing a few photos, we said goodbye and headed back down the road. We had talked about squeezing in Buckman Benchmark, but the timing was too tight. I dropped Susie back off at her place, then grabbed lunch to share with my daughter before she returned to college later in the day.
I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!
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 both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).
I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.