Time to Hike: 12-3pm Distance: 3.5 miles out an back Hikeability: moderate to difficult in spots
Snacks/Water: Orange, snack bar, 2L water and bottle of Gatorade at the end Temp: 70’s
Monserate Trailhead Start HIker Therapy
I’m always so impressed with the amount of quality hiking in our county and no matter what part of the county you live; you can find a hike that will fit the need.I recently moved up to Oceanside from Encinitas and have been looking for hikes up here in the northern section of the county.
I had been used to heading south to such trails as; Cowles Mtn. and the Mission Trails system, Iron Mt. and Mt Woodson in Poway, and even out to the eastern part of the county and the Laguna Mt.’s and the Big Laguna Loop trail.
However, many of the hikes up in the North part of the county were unfamiliar to me.A trail I just discovered through 100peaks.com was Monserate Mountain Loop in Bonsall/Fallbrook area of the county.The Fallbrook Land Conservancy has done an outstanding job of providing a hiking trail in the San Diego North County.
This out and back hike covers about 3.5 miles and has some serious climbing in spots.. This hike has a trailhead to summit net elevation gain of 1,183′ in 1.6 miles so it gets steep quick and exceeds that of Cowles and Iron Mountain as far as steepness.The trail is only 1.75 miles to the 1567 ft. summit but a few side side trips such as a the Red Diamond trail off the main trail, add to the total distance.
Though short and sweet Id consider this hike more short and steep as right from the trail-head start you begin a rather an uphill climb for the first .75 miles.Even after that as the trail twists and turns, flattens and dips, you are on a continual inclined ascent. The rugged composition of this rocky trail really adds to the feel of being on a mountainous hike as well as offering to the physical demands of the hike.
Freeway 15 in distance
going up at .75 miles
Halfway
Sam taking in view
Even though the I-15 freeway is in sight for much of the first .75 miles, the noise from the cars starts to dissipate as you climb.In fact, as you turn left at the .75 mile marker and head north east the noise pretty much is nonexistent and the views become even more eye catching, beautiful and absorbing.
On this day the haze and marine layer kept us from seeing the Ocean and some distant mountain ranges, but even with that you still could het a good sense of the vast openness, mountains and green avocado orchards this part of our county geographically consists of.As you continue the ascent the trail twists and you will come to an arrow made of small rocks, trusts its direction and you will soon be at the summit.
Walk this way
Summit of Monserate,
Sam at Peak
Journal Box
I especially like the summit of Monserate Mountain, not only because of the wonderful views it provides, but this peak also gives you the chance to journal your thoughts or simply sign that you made it to the top!I’d say about 30% of the hikes I do have a journal box atop the summit; a one that immediately comes to mind is Iron Mountain in Poway.Great idea that started this concept and one my son and I took advantage as we always do.
Stepping into nature
After a lunch and 30 minute break we started our descent back.Steep up means steep down, and I usually find this the harder part of the hike for me.However, after a side trip on the short red Diamond trail we were soon heading back down to the trailhead start.The 1.7 plus miles back goes pretty quick.
It had been a few weeks since I had hiked and once again I was in need to be reminded what getting out into nature does for me.Anxieties slip away, purpose and accomplishment are always achieved not too mention the physical aspects and challenges that a hike, and certainly this one in particular, present.
The reward of being up to the challenge both mentally and physically out in a beautiful natural setting surrounded by the sights and sounds that touch all the senses are why the sport of hiking is such a therapeutic gift.Give yourself this same gift and hike Monserate Mountain.
Great Views
Directions to hike : Exit from Interstate 15 at 76/ Pala Road and drive west to Old Highway 395 and turn right (north). Drive 2.6 miles then turn right on Stewart Canyon Road and go east under the Interstate to Pankey Road. Turn right and park on the right. The start of the trail is across the street and is marked by a sign
Cowles Summit in distanceBig Rock Rd. trailhead start
Cowles Mountain, part of the MIssion Trails Regional Park system in San Diego , is by far the most popular hike in the County and a hike I refer to as the Disneyland of hikes due to its heavily traveled trail especially the main trailhead off of Golfcrest Drive which is the preferred starting point of the masses, however there are other trailhead starts including the one I will speak about here. The Big Rock Rd. trailhead beginning offers a rarely used start to hiking Cowles Mountain as well as offering the most scenic and unscathed view of the Cowles Mtn summit. To access the Big Rock Rd. trailhead you can exit from Hwy 52 at either Mast Blvd or Mission Gorge Rd. Big Rock Rd. intersects MIssion Gorge Rd. and is a traffic light landmarking where you need to turn. Take Big Rock Rd to the end where it dead ends at the trailhead beginning. Houses line this neighborhood area and parking is curbside and very much available as opposed to the Golfcrest starting point that again reminds one of the crowds at Disneyland. The Big Rock Rd. trailhead is one of four starting points to trails that lead to the summit of Cowles Mtn. along with Barker Way, Mesa Drive as well as the mentioned Golfcrest Rd. Entrance. The trail starts out near an information board that will list the different trails and their distances to the summit. This particular trail is 2.5 miles from the summit and offers enough challenge in both distance and climb to make the Hikeability of this trail strenuous. One of the strengths of the Cowles Mtn hike as well as others on the Mission Trails regional Park system is the trails are well marked with well placed signs to guide you towards your destination. The Big Rock Rd, trail is no different as signs along the way clearly route the trail and show you where other trails join in and possible alternte trials that may interest you with the same destination at trails end. The start of this hike offers a trail composition of compacted red dirt and sand wandering through low lying brush of various plant life.
Flora and FaunaService road connectionThe Top!
It is here that the trail becomes much more challenging and physically demanding. Keep your eye on the prize and the accomplishment and reward that lay ahead to motivate yourself up this steep ascending Rd. Before you know it you will be at the familiar rock strewn summit of Cowles and a 360 view of the County. On this particular day, although gray skies, we were still able to see Qualcomm Stadium, Mt. Soledad in La Jolla, MIra Mar air-station, Gillespie Field in El Cajon, as well as the various peaks in the distant mountains including Lyons, Miquel, Viejas and the faint outline of San Antonio, San Jacinto and San Gabriel. This vantage point at 1531 feet is the highest Peak in the City of San Diego and offers one of the if not the best view of the area . After taking a twenty minute break for gatorade and a snack bar we head down the more “traditional” descent from the Cowles Mtn summit and the familiar rocky cragged trail. Be careful in this section of the descent as ive heard more than one story about twisted ankles and falls. As you continue the descent you will join up with the Barker Way, Big Rock Rd. sign that alerts you to switch trails and head back towards the original trailhead start. Once you change trails you will come to the same service road taken on the ascent and a much less strenuous travel this time around. Not long after being on the service rd you will meet up with a fence line and the entrance to the Big Rock Rd trail that will lead you back to the trailhead beginning. This route back was a shade less mileage wise than the ascent and totalled about 2.3 miles. Speaking of shade, the day we did this hike gray skies at 10am gave us 75 degrees, at the end of our hike at about 12:45 back at the car it was 95 degrees. However, it did not seem that hot as previous times I’ve hiked Cowles, but as always makle sure you bring plenty of water, at least 75 oz., and a few snacks to keep yourself hydrated and recharged on this somewhat arid hike.
Manzanita Tree
Cowles Mountain always offers a good challenege a scenic route and a summit that provides sweeping views of our county and the city of San Diego. The Big Rock Road trailhead is a preffered start to the Cowles Mountain hike and besides the Barker Way start one I highly suggest. Next I’ll have to do the Mesa Rd trailhead start to comnplete the four routes available. I Always like what MIssion Trails Reginoal Park has to offer, and Cowles does not dissapoint and always lives up to its reputation as a saught out trail among avid hikers in san Diego both young and old.
