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Mt Woodson via Lake Poway


Highlights:

form Lake Poway through canyon to Mt Woodson and breathtaking vistas
Near:Poway, CA
Scenery:
Distance:6.4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:2000 ft
Hike Time:5 hours
Difficulty:Strenuous
Trail Condition:OK, but a few difficult spots
HikeType:Out and Back


Summary: This is a strenuous day hike via Lake Poway. Trail is very steep and narrow in some places. Well marked and maintained most of the way until the last 1/2 hour to the top. The views from the peak are worth the effort. We hiked 1st of August, be sure to take enough water, it was extremely hot and dry! The views are to the ocean and to Palomar Mountain to the East. There is an easier way to the top, via highway 67. The alternate route is paved and well maintained. We decided to take this less traveled route as it is more difficult and challenging.
Upon our return we had a picnic at Lake Poway, all and all, it was a wonderful day.

Trailhead: From Espola Road go to the Lake Poway entrance. The fee is $4.00 for all day. The lake and park are very clean and a well maintained. We had a picnic with our kids and had an enjoyable day at the park after our hike.

Take the lake trail to the east side where the trailhead is clearly marked about .5 mile from the dock going counter clockwise around the lake. (Lat:33 Lon:-117.01)

Trail Guides for Mt Woodson via Lake Poway:
Afoot & Afield in San Diego County
by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press)

Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter,
User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Horses,
Ranger Contact: Lake Poway Rangers
Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Kevin Vasquez, who has posted  7 other hikes on this site
Trail Reviews  Page 1 of 7   Submit your own review
Reviewed by Wynn on 6/27/2009
My gf and I went around mid-May. It was our first time hiking but we were both in pretty decent shape (we could each probably run around 2 miles). It was still pretty challenging! We reached the top (radio towers) in about 1.5 hours. Spent about 20 minutes enjoying the view and checking out Potato Chip rock, which was really cool. All in all the whole hike took us about 3 hours. We started at 8 am, but it was still really hot! Be sure to bring lots of water, at least 3 bottles. Also, the trail gets really dusty, so don't wear nice running shoes or anything.

Reviewed by Kimberly on 6/24/2009
Great hike very challaging. Have done it several times with friends.

Reviewed by HikerBiker on 6/23/2009
Amazing trail route. Thought I'd get lost but managed stay on course. Highly recommend this run. Found a great site that got me from the base back to my car in one piece: http://terribleanalogies.com/2009/06/mt-woodson-trail-loop/

Reviewed by Liz on 6/1/2009
Great hike! There are lots of steep parts, but I am not an experienced hiker and made it through with no trouble. We did the hike in 3.5 hours round trip, including a stop for lunch and spending 20 minutes at the top poking around. Bring lots of water.

Reviewed by Jill on 5/26/2009
This was a good day hike for us to prepare for Yosemite adventure later this summer. Hey RB, we saw your rattlesnake yesterday! I am fine with heights, not too keen on the snakes. All sticks are snakes after that!

Reviewed by RB on 5/25/2009
2nd time through this one! Perfect time to go, great weather. Saw a rattle snake on the trail last week, but all clear this week. Bring lots of water, shorts, and good shoes that fit right. Alot of steep grades.

Reviewed by Kate on 4/22/2009
Did this trek last weekend starting from Lake Poway, then heading UP! Great workout/views along the way. A good choice. Bring plenty of water to stay cool and shoes with good traction, especially on the way down. :D KB

Reviewed by John on 3/29/2009
Great day hike. Moderate to Strenuous in some spots but it keeps me in shape as I do this hike once a month. Take shoes with good traction and at least two bottles of water. The area is very green right now and the trail is getting busier now that the sun is up early. It took me 1 hour and 10 minutes to jog to the top and 35 minutes to run down to the lake. Take time to walk out to the boulders at the top and enjoy beautiful San Diego county. TAKE YOUR TRASH OUT WITH YOU, PLEASE.


Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site.
Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, San Diego County Hiking, San Diego County Trails, San Diego County Hikes

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