Cowles Mountain



Cowles Mountain (or Mount Cowles) is a great San Diego hike, part of the larger Mission Trails Park. The Mount Cowles is a great urban escape, head east on I8, exit College Avenue and go north (away from San Diego State University). Follow the road as it curves and changes names until you reach Navajo, and turn right. This road curves through some cute (though suburban) neighborhoods until you reach Mount Cowles on your left. Keep a sharp look out for the entrance at the stoplight. The parking will be on your right as you make the left turn off Navajo.

From here, you start the hike. It's pretty much ascent and descent. The whole hike should take about one and a half to two hours, depending on how fast you go. Some people run the whole thing and complete it in under and hour. I'm not quite there yet. You are guaranteed to pass other hikers while you hike, no matter what time or what day. Still, the trails are fun and the hikers are friendly.

At the top you are rewarded with amazing views of San Diego County in all directions. On a clear day you can see well into Mexico. There is a back route that you can take all the way down into Santee, and another that emerges off of Navajo a little further east.

A more adventurous option is to go to Cowles at night, by the light of the full moon. This is a popular hike and even after dark you will encounter other hikers. A fun option to this great easy escape!