Reflect Forward...

  Definitely overshadowed by the popularity of Cowles Mountain, Pyles Peak at Mission Trails Regional Park can only be accessed once you summit Cowles. In-between the Cowles Summit marker and the radio towers, there is an unassuming trail marker to Pyles. After summiting Cowles, you really need to brace yourself for the down-up-down-up-down-up-up-up trail to Pyles. It's definitely not easy on the knees. However, leaving Cowles to Pyles also means leaving the crowd to a peaceful hike. We literally saw less than 10 people total in this hike.  Once you get to Pyles Peak, look to the radio towers at Cowles Summit.  Then, pat yourself on the back for venturing further than a mere photo-op at Cowles.   Cowles Summit view from Pyles Peak I still can't believe we did two hikes in one day - Cowles and Pyles.  But since these two were the last of the 5-Peak Challenge for us, we just had to... and show-off our badge of honor the next days as we rest.  Heading ba...

  As the highest point in San Diego at 1,593 ft. above sea level, Cowles Mountain hike is very popular among San Diegans and visitors alike. It is so popular that Mission Trails Regional Park created the 5-Peak Challenge in 2015 to alleviate the crowd in Cowles and encourage hikes to the other four mountain peaks - North Fortuna, South Fortuna, Kwaay Paay, and Pyles.  (NOTE: The 5-Peak Challenge ended in 2020 although you can still buy a t-shirt to commemorate your hard work.) Without a clue as to how popular it really is, we first went on a Friday at 9:00 AM thinking we can at least find parking. Nope ! The trailhead parking is too small and the neighborhoods are all packed. After 30 minutes of just driving around trying to find parking, we decided to try again the next day - before sunset. We woke up at 4:00 AM to get to the trailhead thinking we would be the first ones there. Wrong again.  Definitely bring a flashlight if you're hiking early morning as the trail is a...

  Kwaay Paay or "leader" in Kumeyaay Indian language is located in the Mission Trails Regional Park of San Diego. The trailhead is located across the historic Old Mission Dam (right across the mini-parking lot). By this time, we're pretty comfortable hiking from Clairemont Mesa Trailhead to Old Mission Dam, so my wonderful hiking-partner had a "brilliant" idea of going through Fortuna Saddle instead. Basically, what won me over was the argument of: " It's a saddle, so it's flatter-er. " NOT! Yes, Fortuna Saddle saddles North and South Fortuna, but in no way is it flatter.  Keep following the trail signs to Old Mission Dam. There are some areas with shade where we saw families having a picnic and kids splashing in puddles of water. Cute! Since this route takes you to the opposite side of the Old Mission Dam, be prepared to cross the water to get to the trailhead. I took off my shoes and with one yelp from the first feel of the cold water, happi...

  Most San Diegans access North Fortuna Trail via the East Fortuna Staging Area following the Perimeter Trail which hugs the E52 freeway.  Since we live in Tierrasanta, we wanted to explore the surrounding trails near us. We entered the trail via Portobelo Drive.  It's easy to miss this trailhead because it's nestled between Portobelo Dr. houses and the Belsera condo/townhomes.  Hopefully, the map below can help. GoogleMap: Mission Trails Park Portobelo Entrance To the right of this image are the Belsera condo/townhomes carports. Finding the entrance to Mission Trails Park via Portobelo Dr. is perhaps the only unsure moment you'll have.  Once you find it, the trail to North Fortuna Summit is pretty straightforward.  You know you're heading the right way when you can hear or see the E52 freeway to your left. We literally saw someone jogging up-and-down this hill, so we said, "why not?" Just follow the trail.  We like stopping to look back how far we've ...