Type: Road/Trail, Loop
Difficulty: 8 / 10
Altitude: 689 ft
Elev. Gain/Loss: 1,060 ft / 1,060 ft
Dog Friendly: Yes, with leash
Jog-Stroller Friendly: No
Filed Under: Hiking, Running
The highest point in San Diego doesn't come without a little sweat equity. In roughly 1.5 miles you gain 900 feet, and are rewarded with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains and San Diego coastline.
The run starts at the Cowles Mountain Staging Area Trailhead of Mission Trails Regional Park (http://www.mtrp.org). Start running up the obvious trail from the parking lot. Continue climbing for 1.5 miles until you reach the top at 1592 ft. Every 1/4 mile is marked, but please try to stay on the designated trail. It is unfortunate that many people in the past have created countless shortcuts around the many switchbacks causing considerable erosion.
Once at the top of the mountain, take a few minutes to enjoy the views and catch your breath. Now continue over the mountain and take the old dirt road (west) down the back side of the mountain. This road (Mesa Road) will eventually take you down to a subdivision. Just before the subdivision is a trail junction. Take the trail and follow all signs for the Wing Span Trail. The Wing Span Trail climbs over a small shoulder of Cowles Mountain and runs along the base of the hill just behind a neighborhood of very large houses.
Follow this trail until it dumps you out in the neighborhood on Wing Span Drive. Run through the neighborhood downhill to the junction with Navajo Road. Turn right (west) and run approximately .75 miles back to the Cowles Mountain Staging Area Trailhead and your vehicle.
For a bit of history, Cowles Mountain got its name from George A. Cowles, one of San Diego's early prominent ranching pioneers. He settled in the El Cajon valley in 1877.
From Interstate 8 - Take 8 to the College Avenue exit. Proceed north on College Avenue 1.0 miles to Navajo Road. Turn right and proceed on Navajo Road 1.9 miles to Golfcrest Drive. Turn left on Golfcrest Drive to enter parking lot.
From Route 52 - Take 52 to the Mast Blvd. exit in Santee. Driving east, turn left onto Mast Blvd., go under the freeway to the first traffic signal (West Hills Parkway) and turn right. Driving west, turn right onto Mast Blvd. and right onto West Hills Parkway. Take West Hills Parkway to Mission Gorge Road and turn right. Proceed down Mission Gorge Road 1.9 miles to Golfcrest Drive. Turn left onto Golfcrest Drive and go to the top of the hill. The staging area is on the left at the intersection of Navajo Road and Golfcrest Drive.
From Route 125 - Take 125 north to 52 west, to the Mast Blvd. exit in Santee. Turn right onto Mast Blvd. and right onto West Hills Parkway. Take West Hills Parkway to Mission Gorge Road and turn right. Proceed down Mission Gorge Road 1.9 miles to Golfcrest Drive. Turn left onto Golfcrest Drive and go to the top of the hill. The staging area is on the left at the intersection of Navajo Road and Golfcrest Drive.
If you are using public transportation and coming from the downtown area, take bus 115 or 40 to the corner of Navajo Rd. and Jackson. Then run approximately .5 miles to the trailhead just off Navajo Rd. and Golfcrest Drive. Note - the mountain is visible from the bus stop.
Comments
Luis C said ...
Pretty nice run. My counsin and I hiked/ran it and like the view. It can get pretty crowded though, trying to avoid running into oter people on the trial, but other than that its all good!
DaveW said ...
Great climb, great view. Missed the wingspan trail, but it's easy to find your way back.
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