Visit to Cowles Mountain

I made a trip out to the Mission Trails Regional Park to climb Cowles Mountain today (09-06-12). The Park is a 5,800 acre preserve located in the northeast corner of San Diego. The Park contains several large mountains, including Cowles, which is the tallest mountain in San Diego. The summit reaches 1,591 feet and provides spectacular 360 degree views of the San Diego region.

The trailhead is located at the corner of Navajo Road and Golfcrest Drive. There is a parking lot at the trailhead, as well as restrooms. The parking lot appears to only have room for only about 20 vehicles, so you might have to park a few blocks away on the street. It is also possible to get to the mountain via San Diego’s mass transit system. Just take the Green Line trolly to the San Diego State transit station and transfer to the 115 Bus. Ride the bus to stop at the corner of Jackson Drive and Golfcrest Drive. The ride takes about 10-12 minutes and leaves you one block from the trailhead. Just look for the huge mountain when you get off the bus, you can’t miss it.

Here are a few of the pictures I took while on the way up:

Here I am at the top of the mountain. Many people who climb to the summit of the mountain touch the plaque I am standing behind here and then head back down to the base.