Month: June 2018

This is the longest way to travel cowles and pyles peak at one attempt.

Distance: 8 miles

Duration: 3:19:00

Pace: 24.01 min/mile

Elevation Gain: 1913 ft

Trailhead: Mesa blvd at Prospect Ave

To get the trailhead, you can either park at the end of Arlette St, or on the side of Mesa Blvd which is close to the actual trailhead. The trailhead sign is obviously shown on your right, and from here to Cowles mountain is 2.46 miles. Then you will pass tennis court on your right and stoney bridge ( maybe not the bridge, see the picture below ). About a half mile, you’ve got another trail sign that shows 2 miles to go.

It is mostly single and switchback style trail, and go straight on the junction that meet with Mesa Trail. On its way, there is long wood that was installed on the side of trail. It is a good stopping point you get take a short rest.

At 1.5 miles, you met with wide service road, and turn right to head Cowles Mountain. From here, you will meet a lot of people who came from Barker Way Trailhead. You can’t get lost from here, and always follow the road that is wide and many people around you.

At 2.5 miles, we reached Cowles mountain and enjoy the view. And then head to the other side, and there is the start of Pyles peak trail. There is up and downs to the Pyles peak, and it is well maintained and easy to follow.

At 4 miles, we reached the Pyles peak and return the same way we came.

 

 

Before I attempted this hike, I was told it is very challenging and a lot of elevation gain and loss when going out as well as coming back. I read a lot of articles about this trail and get prepared. I set the date and the weather forecast were favorable for this hike. Even on the date I hiked, the weather was much better. It was cloudy and little bit of light rain when I start, but it stopped as we go up. There was trail mark on every mile and additionally on 3.5 mile. It was very easy to follow and the elevation profile on the mark was impressive, because I did not see this kind of trail sign before.

The parking lot opens at 8:00 am, and we arrived there at 6:30 am. So we parked our car on the side of the street, and start our journey. After passing a couple of private ranches, we were at the trailhead with restroom.

About 1 mile, there is T junction where you take left turn. Soon there is a mile marker, then there is a junction (Pata Ranch Trail) where we take left and continue El Capitian Trail.

When you pass the 3 mile marker and bench, there is stop sign and it said “You just finished easy half of the trail”. I guess there will be a lot of of uphill waiting for us.

I was very good shape, and I wasn’t feeling that hard at this point. Before you reach 5 mile marker, there is old jeep truck which is good spot to take a picture. Also, we feel it gets close to the peak.

At 5 miles, there is four way junction. Go straight will lead to the cliff, and we take a left turn continue to El Cajon Mountain peak. From here, the trail gets narrow and there were a lot of vegetation and you will want to wear long pants not getting scratch on your leg.

Finally, we summit El Cajon peak, and enjoy the spectacular view. After brief rest, we came back to the four way junction, we go the other side which is about 0.3 miles to the right at junction. There is not much except old building structure. We came back to the junction again, and came back the the parking lot.

The downhills when we go out became a uphill when we came back. Total elevation gain is 4000 ft, but I don’t feel it is as hard as Mt baldy and other peaks in San Gabriel range, because elevation is much lower. It is great work out and very rewarding hike, and not that crowded, nor loneliness. You will meet many people when you travel this trail.

Distance: 7 miles

Duration: 3:28:00

Pace: 27.41 min/mile

Elevation Gain: 1531 ft

Trailhead: Jackson Dr and Mission Gorge Rd Staging area

Initially, I plan to hike South Fortuna Mountain, and I ended up with both South and North Fortuna Mountains because of their proximity. The trailhead is at Jackson Dr and Mission Gorge Rd, and there is staging area where you can park your car. From there, take wide path toward River crossings.

About 0.3 miles from start, there is a junction and take a left here. Right turn here will lead to Visitor Center, which I went initially but I realize it is wrong way and I come back this junction again. 

On San Diego River Crossing trail, you will encounter river crossing and you will get wet if the water stream is high. There is around way on your left with sign, and take that route without soaking your shoe.

Then follow San Diego River Crossing Trail until you met the junction with Suycott Valley Trail. Turn right on that junction and follow Suycott Valley Trail about 0.3 miles.

On next junction, turn right and turn right onto South Fortuna Trail. From here South Fortuna summit is about 1.2 miles, and trail sign said it is difficult with decent amount of elevation gain.

There is wooden bridge on the way, and another trail sign where I took right turn.

Here is a picture seen from below toward South Fortuna Mountain, and the right picture is a rock on the way.

This is popular stair way called “Stairway to Heaven”, which is about 560 feet vertical gain.

There are a couple of signs on the way, and finally I went to the summit.

From the saddle, there is four way junction. Straight ahead to North Fortuna Summit. Turn left is where we will get down when we came back here again after North Fortuna Summit.

Here is North Fortuna Summit, which is little higher than South Fortuna.

Go back to the 4 way junction, and turn right toward Fortuna Saddle Trail. This is very steep downhill, and you better use hiking pole to get down this trail.

Follow this trail about 0.7 miles until you see Suycott Valley Trail sign.

Turn left toward Suycott Valley Trail.

Go straight toward the junction that met when we came.

From here, we follow the way we came toward parking lot.