DISTANCE: 5.5 mile LOOP TIME 3 HOURS INCLUDING STOP AT PEETS COFFEE HILLCREST SNACKS: ORANGE, SNACK BAR (SCONE AT PEETS)
I have always thought that the only way to see a city is by walking or as I like to call it urban hiking. Urban hiking allows you to see the small details, hear the sounds and feel the energy that city life vibrates. Houses and buildings that you may previously zoomed past in your car, take on certain richness and come to life when hiked by. An urban hike that provides all this and more is the 7 Bridges of San Diego.
The “trail” starts at Bridge #1 on the east side of Park Blvd between Presidents way and Village place. An early start is highly recommended for prime parking, less traffic, and lower temperatures for this urban hike that is a blend of historic to current bridges and houses along former streetcar-access routes in San Diego.
After crossing the Park Blvd. Bridge #1, hike straight ahead to El Prado passing Balboa Park museums and the lily pond, continuing across Bridge #2, the 1914 Laurel St. bridge,
Laurel St bridge #2 Hiker Therapy
the first multiple-arched cantilever bridge built in California. If you are used to hiking the mountains and more natural trails of San Diego County and Southern California like me the beginning stages of this “hike” may fee strange to you. However, as you leave the crowds of people and tourists visiting this area behind, you will soon develop an appreciation of what Americas finest city has to offer as seen on this “trail”.
Along the way you will pass fun city restaurants that are tucked into the neighborhood, along with ornate architecture in the form of buildings, churches and houses.
First St. Bridge #3 Hiker Therapy
The first right turn on the trail is First Street, which will lead you to the First Street Bridge, bridge #3.After crossing this bridge continue on First Ave to Quince St., turn right on Quince St. hike for two blocks to the Quince St. bridge entrance, bridge #4. The wooden-trestle bridge was built in 1905 and really has that turn of the century very old school feel to it, but very fun none the less.
After crossing to Fourth Ave., retrace your steps to Second Ave. and turn right (north) for two blocks to Spruce Street, then turn left crossing First Street to the Spruce Street Bridge, bridge #5.
Quince St. Bridge #4 Hiker Therapy
This section of the hike takes you First St. through neighborhoods lined with houses each offering a unique flavor of their own and a collective peace and quiet amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.
The Spruce Street Suspension Bridge is not only historic, but it is a popular San Diego icon. Crossing the bridge is an experience onto its own as with each step the bridge will sway and slightly twist.
Spruce St.Bridge #5 Hiker Therapy
On this Sunday afternoon Hillcrest was very busy with locals and tourists each filling the local popular establishments such as Urban as well as Peets.
After taking in the people watching sites it was time to get back on the trail, quick left turn out the front door of Peets put me back onto University Ave heading east to our next left turn at Vermont Avenue. Cross University here heading north to Vermont St. Bridge, bridge # 6.
Vermont St. Bridge #6 Hiker Therapy
For me this modernly constructed bridge provided me with words of inspiration that I usually get with each hike I do, interestingly these words came in the form of a sign, literally, and yet another quality of uniqueness this urban hike provided me. After crossing the bridge turn right on Lincoln and cross University going east to Georgia Street.
Turn right at Georgia Street going south towards the final bridge on our hike and the 7th bridge on the 7 bridges of San Diego urban hike. After crossing this bridge you can turn right on any cross street to get you back up to Park Blvd. and then head south on park for the final mile of the hike and back to bridge 1 from which you started from.
Georgia St Bridge #7 Hiker Therapy
I absolutely suggest this urban hike as a great way to see the diverse and interesting neighborhoods of San Diego which are linked together with 7 bridges of historical significance each with their own unique beauty embedded in the nature of the city.
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.
A hike I absolutely would suggest is the Cowles Mountain to Pyle’s Peak trail. By adding the Pyle’s Peak link to the hike you will be increasing the difficulty of the hike but you will also be adding a sense of peacefulness and beauty as well.
Hiking much like life, if it’s easy it more than likely lacks reward!
I would say that 95% of those who hike to the summit to Cowles, end the journey there, descent aside. In fact on my way over to Pyle’s only two other hikers shared the trail. I attribute that to the fact that the added piece of the Pyle’s Peak is relatively unknown as well as an additional challenge.
This is my second attempt at this hike, heat and lack of water shortened the journey from Cowles Mountain to Pyle’s Peak back in March 2012, when the temp was in the 90’s. One thing I have learned in the past five months of my hiking adventures, bring enough water and even more! So getting to the destination of Pyle’s Peak via Cowles Mountain has been in the back of my mind as a peak to conquer!
Cowles Mountain Trail
The “main” or most popular trail-head to Cowles can be reached at Golfcrest Drive and Navajo Road. visitor’s center is located there with information, Restrooms and water. However, to avoid 90% of the crowd I always choose the east trail-head off of Barker Way. This trail has twenty-five switchbacks over 1.05 miles to its intersection with the main trail that continues to the summit of Cowles, which is at 1592 feet and makes it the highest point in the City of San Diego.
The trail up Cowles is at times rocky but for the most part is compacted earth that is well traveled and marked. After the 1.5 mile climb to Cowles Mountain summit, a short walk down the service road to the Pyles Peak trail-head begins just a hundred feet short of the summit marker. sign on the left turns you down some steps which leads to the Pyle’s Peak trail-head sign. The trail beginning actually ascends for about 1/4 of a mile before beginning an elongated up and down hike. This portion of the
Cowles/Pyle’s hike for me signified two distinct hikes within a hike. Whereas the Cowles Mountain ascent called upon my strength and stamina, the Pyle’s peak portion of the hike though challenging in spots, offered me a sense of calm and serenity.
Isn’t that how life is as well? At times we are challenged by the day to day, being pushed to our limits, but then we are given the opportunity to stop, recharge and slow down the pace.
As you come across a sign that says “Viewpoint” you have about a 1/4 mile to go to the summit of Pyle’s Peak. The trail to Pyle’s branches off to the right and begin’s a pretty steep incline to the summit. Once you come the crest of the “hill”, you have made it, you have reached Pyle’s Peak which is land marked by a very good size boulder!
Summit Of Pyle’s Peak!
This hike will offer you a lot of variance, other’s who share your desire to hike, and a physical fitness challenge along with a strong sense of accomplishment and mental health well being.
Distance: 6 miles
Hike Date and Time: Tuesday May 29, 2012. Started at 10:40AM returned at 1:40PM 3 hours
Hike-ability: Cowles Mountain was my very first hike and although I was in good shape, I was not in hiking shape compared to now. Then I would rate it a moderate hike, now I would rate it a easy moderate hike. Very doable either way.
Food and Water: This hike always seems hot to me whenever I go. Temperature was around 80 degrees, bring lot’s of water. I had 50 Ounces of water and bottle of gatorade. I also brought an orange and lunch.
