Blue Sky to Lake Poway

The latest edition of the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy’s Coast to Crest Challenge kicked off on July 1st, so I knew what much of holiday weekends plan were now. I decided that I would start the challenge off by hiking from Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, then up and around Lake Poway. This was going to be a nice 5.2-mile hike. I have not hiked Blue Sky in a long time, so I was looking forward to it. I pulled in about 8, and the lot was almost full, but I found a space. I applied my sunscreen, grabbed my gear, and set off.

I cruised along the wide trail for a bit until I came to the junction with the Creekside Trail. I was looking at my map and deciding if I want to take it. Two women ask for an opinion on the trail options. I told the Creekside trail would be better coming back, as it should have a touch more shade. I told them I was continuing on the main trail, then heading up to the Lake and around. We headed off together. I began chatting about the hike and the C2C challenge. When we reached the turn-off to Lake Poway, they asked if they could tag along. I welcomed the company. We started our ascent and I learned they were fairly new to hiking, so I began giving probably more information on hiking San Diego than they bargained for. I pointed out some various landmarks as we made our way to the lake. But more importantly, I showed them what poison oak looks like.

We cruised around its shoreline. I took my required selfie for the challenge near the southern end of the lake. The trail was busy but not crowded. We dropped back down from the lake onto the main trail. Soon we were back at the parking lot. I gave them some more suggestions for their next adventure and bid farewell. All told the hike was 5.27 miles and we did it in 1:59.

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.

Otay Mountain

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.

Rather than fight the traffic trying to summit one of my remaining peaks on the Six Pack of Peaks list, I decided to stay in town and knock off two peaks that are drivable: Otay Mountain and Tecate Peak. Saw one car, and it was not a minivan on the way up Otay. Parked near the summit and strolled up the last 1/2 mile.

From there, we drove down the east side, passing a single motorcycle. The road was in fantastic shape! Once back on the 94, we made the short drive to Tecate and the drive up to its summit.

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!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Tecate Peak

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.

From the summit of Otay Mountain, we drove down the east road back to the 94. A lone motorcycle passed us during our descent, so far, we have had the mountain all to ourselves. Once at the border, we drove along the border wall. Here we passed a border patrol truck. I rolled down the window and let the agent know what plans we were. He wished us well, and we continued on.

The road was certainly rougher than the Otay Mountain Truck Trail, but nothing that the Subaru could not handle. We worked our way up to the summit. It was in the mid-80s, so I drove all the way to the top.

We took in the views, spotting the various peaks we have climbed and a few that Ted still needs… Once we were done, we carefully drove back down. There was a border patrol lookout along the way, but it appeared not to be staffed. We also passed another parked truck while we made our descent, but was not sure if it was also border patrol or not. It was getting close to lunchtime, so we headed home and grabbed some Mexican food from Mi Ranchito and enjoyed it in the shade of my backyard. It was nice to cross these two off the list again without any issues.

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!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Otay Mountain

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.

With the 4th of July weekend upon us, the thought of fighting holiday traffic and crowds on any of the Six-Pack of Peaks I still needed to do did not seem appealing. Since I was still on vacation, I opted to go ahead and summit Otay Mountain and Tecate Peak. These are drivable summits, and I really don’t have any desire to hike them. Ted Markus was also free, so he hopped into the passenger seat, and we set off.

Looking back at Otay Mountain Truck Trail

The road was in really good shape. I was hoping that, being early and on a Friday, we would not encounter anyone on the road, as it can get narrow at times. It was not until Doghouse Junction that we passed our first car. Thankfully, we were at a nice, wide spot, so there were no issues. Since it was warm, rather than parking at Doghouse Junction, we drove to the turn-off to the summit and parked there.

We hiked the 1/2 mile to the summit and took in the views. A new rescue station was in place for any migrant who finds themselves here and in trouble.

We poked around the summit for a bit, then headed back to the car to continue on to the second peak of the day, Tecate!

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!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Grasslands Loop

The second hike of the day was to do the Grassland Loop & Oak Canyon out in Mission Trails. The Oak Canyon portion was one of the hikes I recommended for my synagogue’s Stepping Into Israel hiking challenge. I decided to add the Grasslands Loop for a change of scenery while doing it. The skies were still grey and a light mist was falling as I set off. Since almost all of this hike has no shade, this was welcomed hiking weather. The trail was mostly empty, in part due to the weather. The stream was once again dry. Making my way back to the car, I passed a nice collection of morteros. Once back at the car, I headed off to grab lunch and then my third hike of 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!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Goat Peak

One of my fellow admins on the San Diego Hiking Society was looking for a hike to keep training for an upcoming Cactus to Clouds attempt. I suggested Goat Peak might be a good choice, about 1,000 feet of gain over a mile and a quarter, and probably free of hikers (Plus he had some time constraints). We met at the trailhead and set off. This was our first time hiking, so we spent a lot of time chatting as we made our way up toward the summit.

The trail was exactly as I remembered it and after about an hour we found ourselves on the rocky summit. We spent a good 30 minutes soaking in the views before heading back down. Some of the steeper sections took some care, as David did not bring his poles. This peak is one of a handful of summits from the 100 Peak Challenge that I have not done twice, so it was nice to cross it off the list.

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!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Woodson Mountain (via Lake Poway Trail)

Since I have a hiking trip coming up in Arizona, I wanted to get a few harder miles in and see how my right knee felt. When descending San Ysidro East Peak, it had become painful. I figured Woodson Mountain would be a good candidate for this. I debated between taking the Fry-Kogel route or the Lake Poway Route. I opted to take the Lake Poway route, just so I could compare my time from my last summit. The parking lot was fuller than I expected, but I could see some families scattered about, and several folks trying their luck fishing.

I cruised up the trail, a few hikers passed me returning from their summits. The knees were doing fine on the ascent. I took a short break just past where the Fry-Kogel trail joins the main trail. That is still one thing I need to be mindful of when hiking solo, I tend to not take proper breaks.

As I neared the Potato Chip, there were just a few people milling around. I thought about climbing out, but did not feel the need, so I continued to the summit. I also decided to skip scrambling up the actual summit block. After a short rest for a quick snack, I headed back down.

Making my way down, I passed a few groups heading up. The parking lot closes at 7pm, so I hope they pay attention to the time. My left knee did grumble a bit on descent, but nothing unusual and thankfully the right knee seemed fine. After a round trip time of 3:30 over 7.3 miles, I was back at the car. Got a light hike planned out in Anza-Borrego on Sunday, then off to Arizona to try to summit some of their Six Pack of Peaks,

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!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Del Dios Highlands

I had done this hike as part of the Coast to Crest Challenge in the past, but I did it again as part of the San Diego County Parks’ Tour Our Trail Challenge. This hike is all climbing to the overlook of the Olivenhain Reservoir and Lake Hodges beyond that.

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!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Wilderness Gardens

Another pleasant surprise in doing the San Diego County Parks’ Tour Our Trails was Wilderness Gardens County Preserve. I had driven past it several times returning back from some adventure in the desert. I pulled into the parking lot, paid my fee, and set off to explore it. Most of the trail is flat and follows the San Luis Rey River (dry at the time), but I decided to add in a short climb to the overlook. This park is closed during August, so be aware of that.

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!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Stelzer Summit

After exploring some of the Old Flume Trail, I made the short drive to Louis A. Stelzer County Park. I had driven past this park numerous times when I was headed further up the road to climb El Cajon Mountain. This was another stop on the San Diego County Parks’ Tour Our Trails Challenge. The trail would follow the creek that runs through it before making the climb to Kumeyaay Promontory where the required photo was to be taken. But looming to the east was Stelzer Summit, so I continued on to its summit. I was glad to have my trekking poles, as it got steep as I climbed the road. This entire hike was such a lovely surprise.

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!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.