Originally, I wanted to hike Keller Peak and Slide Mountain before the retreat started, but according to the Forest Service website, the road was closed for the season. I decided to continue driving up Keller Peak Road after hiking Mill Peak to see what the real status was. It turned out the gate was open, so I drove up the well-paved road toward Keller Peak. Along the way, I passed some Yellow Post sites, and a few were occupied. As I neared the summit, I reached a closed gate and found a place nearby to park off the road. A service truck was actually just exiting as I started my road walk to the summit. I had to be mindful of the time, as I needed to be back at the retreat center by 4 pm.
The road was uneventful; signs of the Line Fire were all around. That fire had overrun the summit, burning the fire lookout tower. Its metal frame still stands, as do the nearby communication towers. The road loops around the summit before actually reaching it. I walked around it, enjoying the view. I could see the retreat center and Mill Peak to the west, and Slide Mountain to my east. There was a posted notice about actually going to the base of the tower, which I respected. I checked my watch and hustled back down to the car. I covered the 2.4 miles in 44 minutes and had 273 feet of gain. I hope the tower is rebuilt, but with current budgets, I find it unlikely.
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.