#53 Van Dam Peak

North Van Dam Peak.

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Google Maps Parking Link

Parking coordinates: 32.951572°N, -117.09581°W.

Hiking Stats:

Hiking Map.

Summary
There are three trailheads around the Van Dam Peak area that offer alternative starting points.  The one I chose left from Sabre Springs Park.  The starting point isn't very clear.  I had to walk around the side of a baseball field and find a use path that goes up the embankment.  Once above the park by a few yards of elevation, trails cut across the open spaces.  I took a left and followed the trail going up the ridge.

North Van Dam summit.

A few high points are visible from the park.  The highest is North Van Dam Peak.  I made North Van Dam Peak my target as I worked my way along the ridge and right up to it.  The trail crosses right over the top where I found a well tagged building foundation on the summit.  My true target of the hike was Van Dam Peak.  I made North Van Dam Peak my turnaround point and worked my way back to a trail junction.  Instead of blowing past it this time, I took a left turn on it and proceeded on one of the different trails on the ridge.  After about 100 yards or so, I found a break in the fence that was lining the path.  This was my secret front door entrance to Van Dam Peak.

Van Dam Peak.

Although it looked totally overgrown on the way to Van Dam Peak, a use trail actually snaked its way through the thick overgrowth and on up to Van Dam Peak.  All doubts were allayed as I reached the summit and found a red coffee can register just sitting there.  There were limited views from the top due to the bushes and trees crowning the summit.  It was a nice quiet and remote spot to hang around on for a little while.  When going back, I made a wrong turn and started heading down the wrong trail at first.  I corrected that eventually before working my way back to the way I came in from Sabre Springs Park.  I seem to building a good track record of good late afternoon hikes in San Diego!

On the summit of Van Dam Peak.

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Simulated Hike:

#52 Mother Miguel Mountain

Looking up the side of Mother Miguel Mountain.

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San Diego Area Map.

Driving Map.

Parking Map

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Trailhead coordinates: 32.67202°N, -116.97212°W.

Hiking Stats:

Hiking Map.

Summary
Located right at the edge of town, the open spaces around the Rock House Trail stand in stark contrast to the parking area.  Once passing the entrance gate, nice neighborhoods are left behind and a rocky ridge stands tall up ahead.

Heading up the slope.

The hike wanders through the canyon at first before switch backing up the slope.  City views are very impressive along the ridgeline.  The trail climbs gradually along the ridge before topping out on the summit of Mother Miguel Mountain.

Viewing Sweetwater Reservoir.

 A large rock pile sits on the high point along with an American Flag.  Sweetwater Reservoir sits in the foreground below and the San Diego skyline punctuates the background to the west.  In my case, this was a great way to start off a morning in San Diego.

On the summit.

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Simulated Hike:

#51 Goat Peak

Starting out at the trailhead.

Southern California Map.

Driving Map.

Google Maps Parking Link

Parking coordinates: 32.96110°N, -116.99692°W.

Hiking Stats:

Hiking Map.

Summary
The Goat Peak hike is not one of those often mentioned as a classic San Diego hike.  Mostly it is because the majority of the hikers have never heard of it.  However, for those who have hiked it certainly feel gratified for having done so.  Where a housing development ends in Poway, a trail begins into the canyon. 

On the canyon bottom.

The majority of the hike is spent in the canyon bottom before making some steep ascents up the rocky trail.  The hike is punctuated with a visit to Goat Peak at the end of the climb. Once reaching the peak, the use trail more or less fizzles out leaving an old fashioned pick your own route in the last bit of the climb.

Approaching Goat Peak.

Looking east from the summit, the peak overlooks Highway 67 and the Iron Mountain area.  Looking to the west, the peak overlooks the canyon that had just been passed through.  The steep downhill has its own challenges with footing, but I took it slow when necessary and found myself on the canyon bottom in little time.  This turned out to be a great late afternoon hike!

On the summit.

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Simulated Hike:

#50 Viejas Mountain

Looking up the ridge from the parking area.

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Driving Map.

Parking Map.

Google Maps Parking Link

Parking coordinates: 32.83496°N, -116.73196°W.

Hiking Stats:

Hiking Map.

Summary
There is an established trailhead and an alternate trail to Viejas Mountain.  Somehow I wound up at the alternate trail and didn't realize it until I was heading up the ridge.  By then, it didn't make sense to turn back but to continue on.  Fortunately, the trail is clear enough heading up the ridge where bushwhacking really wasn't necessary.  It is unshaded and steep in sections, so attempting on a cool day would be a better call.

Approaching Viejas Mountain.

Elevation gain tends to level out a bit when getting higher on the ridge.  Along the way, it crosses over a few false summits before the true high point appears.  Before reaching it, the hike intersects the true Viejas Mountain Trail coming from the west.  That was the first time I witnessed any other hikers on the day. 

On the summit.

Once reaching the summit, it has a nice rocky windbreak and a summit benchmark.  Nice vistas captured my attention while on top.  It was easier going down, plus the route was more clearly visible while descending, where I wrapped it up at the parking area alongside Interstate 8.

Summit benchmark.

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Simulated Hike:

#49 Sycuan Peak

Heading up Sycuan Peak.

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San Diego Area Map.

Driving Map.

Google Maps Parking Link

Trailhead coordinates: 32.74678°N, -116.79899°W.

Hiking Stats:

Hiking Map.

Summary
Sycuan Peak is a bit off the beaten path, but was conveniently close to where I hiked earlier in the day, McGinty Mountain.  The drive is about 6 miles from McGinty.  It has a tiny pullout on the north side of the road, with nowhere else to park for likely miles.  So, if there are other visitors, you may be out of luck.  Fortunately, I was the only person there, so I snuggled in nicely into the turnout area.

On the summit.

At a locked chain link vehicle gate, there is a sign indicating "Boundary Ecological Reserve".  This is the trailhead.  It proceeds past the gate and onto a crumbling dirt road.  The road climbs steadily past a water tank on a lower hill, then continues upward toward the true high point.  This is a short climb, though, so the only real obstacle is the heat if going on a hot day.  When approaching the high point, the true summit is right off the road in some summit boulders.  Nice views from the summit are a great reward!

Summit benchmark.

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Simulated Hike:

#48 McGinty Mountain

First look at McGinty Mountain.

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Google Maps Parking Link

Trailhead coordinates: 32.729432°N, -116.87250°W.

Hiking Stats:

Hiking Map

Summary
With a seemingly endless supply of moderate peaks popping up all around San Diego, it was a matter of starting somewhere.  McGinty Mountain seemed like a good place to start. It is a moderate hike with reasonably short mileage.  I wanted something of this type for the day since I started out late and didn't make it there until around noon.

Breaking off the main trail to climb the alternate peak on the left.

The hike begins at a pull out parking area off Hwy 54 in Jamul.  It is a rural / residential area, similar to a small Midwest hill country town.  That's one great thing about visiting rural San Diego County, it feels like I'm in a different state sometimes.  From the signed trailhead, the hike goes uphill near the start.  It is a gradual but nearly constant climb the whole way.  It skirts the edge of a neighborhood of expensive homes on the way to McGinty Mountain.  There is an alternative summit to the left of the trail on the way up.  I went ahead and took a good use trail to its summit before continuing on to McGinty Mountain.

Approaching McGinty Mountain.

From the alternate peak, the trail drops to a saddle where there is then a steep climb toward McGinty Mountain and a third peak to the right.  McGinty was the target this time.  I climbed the wide pathway to a point where the high point sat right off the trail.  I scrambled up the summit boulders and declared victory. 

On the summit.

After taking in the views, I could see there was another clear route over to the third summit on the opposite side of the trail.  I crossed over to it and had a great view of McGinty Mountain from it.  After that, it was downhill all the way back, with still some free time to fit in another hike before the day ended.

View of McGinty from summit #3.

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Simulated Hike: