Rock Mountain

UPDATE:

Rock Mountain Preserve is currently CLOSED until further notice due to erosion and unsafe trail conditions.

This short hike is tucked away past Fallbrook. I summited it after bagging Monserate Mountain which is not too far away. The trailhead is well marked and has room for about 5-6 cars.

The trail itself is a bit beat up, with some serious rutting in some sections. One of the more interesting sights on this trail is the two abandoned (and spray-painted) cars. It is not quite clear how they even got there.

As you near the summit, the trail becomes quite steep, and the final push to the top weaves you through some boulders. Once you are there you are rewarded with a nice view.

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.

Eagle Rock

It took a bit to recover from my summit of San Jacinto, so I opted for an easier peak to ease back into it. My friend Dave was able to tag along as we headed out toward Warner Springs to the trailhead. For the first mile or so of the hike, we were swarmed by bugs. Once we left the shadier portion of the trail, they faded away. I now carry bug netting in my pack for these cases.

The trail follows some gentle hills as it makes its way out to Eagle Rock. Although not a peak of any true merit. The rocks naturally look like an eagle with its wings spread about to take flight.

After a bit of a rest and snack, we head back down the trail (dreading the last bit and the bugs), and finally to the car. A well-earned lunch as had a Burger Bench.

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!

Monserate Mountain

This peak is near Fallbrook, just past where the 15 and 76 meet. The first time I attempted this summit, I turned back due to the heat. Although I started from the trailhead at 8 am, the thermometer was about 85°. The forecast had predicted for the heatwave to break overnight. They were wrong. About halfway up, I could feel the effects and opted to turn back. I grew up a Bakersfield and know how dangerous heat can be.

I return the following weekend and began hiking up the trail. This time the weather was mild and slightly overcast.

I opted to do the full loop, rather than a simple up and back. The trail itself is a wide fire road and is popular with the locals looking for exercise. The backside of the loop had few people on the trail. With the nearby housing that is being built nearby, I expect this trail will become more popular. The summit has had its benchmark replaced.

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!

San Jacinto (via Marion Mountain Trail)

So I decided to take a break from the 100 Peak Challenge and go for a big peak. San Jacinto was the closest of the Six-Pack of Peaks (another challenge I am considering for 2018). I opted to start at the Marion Mountain trailhead near Idyllwild.

This route a steep, relentlessly climbing over 4,600 feet in just 5.7 miles.

I trekked along, climbing ever steadily. The trail was mostly empty. I encounter just a few hikers along the way. A helicopter passed overhead. I watch, hoping that no one needed its assistance. After a few minutes, it flew off. I took a short breather at Little Round Valley.

Soon I reached the emergency hut. I could almost start to smell the summit. After a brief boulder scramble, I reached the top!

I rested a bit, taking in the view. Took the obligatory sign selfie as well. Some of the other hikers milling around were interns from JPL. We chatted a bit about their experiences. Some knew my friends who work there. But I knew I had a long trek back down and said goodbye.

As began down the trail, my hips began to feel the effects of the steepness. My pace began to slow, as I descended. It was then I released truly how steep this trail was. I finally made it back to the car, and once the phone charged up some, I checked in with my wife who was starting to worry.

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!

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. I am the co-author of Urban Trails:San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!

Boucher Hill

This was a nice simple hike with my wife and daughter. Although you can drive to the lookout tower, we decided to start from the parking lot before the turnoff to Doane Valley. The trail works its way up gently through the forest before reaching the fire lookout tower.

The tower was manned this day, so we had a lovely chat with the volunteer. Visiting a lookout tower reminded me so much of my childhood, as we would often head to the high Sierras near my parent’s cabin, stopping off at Tobias Peak to visit, and sometimes make the hike out to Baker Point as well.

Afterward, we continued the loop towards Scott’s Cabin. We passed through the still green meadows, and towering pines.

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!

Clevenger Canyon-San Pasqual North 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. This trail descends down from the road past some granite boulders to Santa Ysabel Creek, which can either be a dry, sandy creek bed, a series of puddles, or a raging torrent depending on recent precipitation or lack thereof.

From the trailhead to the creek, you will see a fair amount of trash and graffiti. But once you begin the actual climb to the summit, these will fade away. The trail is not heavily trafficked so it can be slightly overgrown as you make your way up the switchbacks to the summit. Once there, you are rewarded with a nice view of the valley.

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!

San Dieguito Lagoon Trail

While three of the hikes on this year’s San Dieguito River Foundation’s Coast to Crest Challenge have been peaks, this hike was a nice flat stroll along the end of the San Dieguito River as it empties into the Pacific Ocean.

After crossing under the 5, the trail headed due west until it reaches Jimmy Duarte blvd. after crossing over the River, I headed westward. Passing the newly opened Viewpoint Brewing, I reached the designated selfie spot.

This hike’s selfie spot is the viewing platform for the wetlands. I snapped my photo and headed back. Sadly I needed to be home for dinner, and could not stop off and sample some of their brews.

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!

Cuyamaca Peak (via Service Road)

The distinctive shape of the Cuyamaca is hard to miss from San Diego looking eastwards toward the mountains. Cuyamaca is the second highest peak in San Diego County and is one that is easily summited. My good friend James decided to tag along for this adventure. Although the temperatures were pleasant, the lack of trees from the Cedar fire, over a decade ago, does make this hike a bit toasty.

The trail basically follows the service road to the summit. Starting from the Paso Picacho Campground (fee required), the paved road works its way steadily toward the summit. You do pass through one small remaining section of pines as you approach the summit. It is interesting seeing how the forest is slowly recovering from the fire.

Once at the summit, you are rewarded with some of the best views in all of San Diego. On a good clear day, you can see for about 100 miles. For me also being a NASA geek, finding the NASA Goddard marker was cool.

After a snack and long rest, we head down from the summit and down the Burnt Pine trail toward to Japacha Peak, which lies just south of Cuyamaca.

This took us through some more of the remaining pine forest, as we descended to the next summit. Once we approach the turnoff to the proper summit, it was clear that James’ decision to wear shorts would ensure that his poor legs would be torn up by the scrub. I worked my way partially toward the summit but turned back once I did not see a clear route. With more experience under my belt, I may return to this summit and do it properly.

Once we declared the attempt complete, we headed back along the trail to the service road and back down to the campground. The day was heating up and the lack of shade did make for a hot one.

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!

Del Dios Gorge

One of the five hikes that make up this year’s Coast to Crest Challenge is a hike along the Del Dios Gorge to the Rattlesnake Viewpoint. I never knew there was a trail along the gorge. Usually, I am paying attention to the winding road. I pulled into the parking area bright and early as I had an event later in the morning.

The trail follows the San Dieguito River east toward the Lake Hodges dam. The river was flowing as I crossed over it. There is always something special about a bridge.

Soon I was at the end of the trail. There was a nice interactive art piece. It provides a viewport toward the dam. I snapped my required photo and enjoyed the morning sun in the fog.

I cruised back to the car one hike closer to finishing this Challenge!

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!