I get the opportunity to visit Tijuana every two weeks for work, so instead of sitting in traffic for more than three hours I decided to delay the trip home and hike a local landmark. This route starts at Lake Poway and heads uphill steadily, gaining over 1800 feet in about three miles. It's also very hot, as the trail is on the south side of the mountain and low brush does not provide any shade. In reading other hike reports, there is supposed to be a single oak tree along the way which creates a nice resting spot, but the only tree I saw was long dead and now is only a carcass.
I got to the trail around 3pm and on my way up only saw five other hikers. Once I got to the peak quite a few others arrived from a different trailhead, forming a line for photos at Potato Chip Rock just below the summit. The area up there is covered with electronic gear, in my wanderings I did not find any marker or register. The views would be great on a clear day, unfortunately this morning was overcast meaning the afternoon was hazy.
Photos below:
Trailhead marker. Plenty of these along the way - summit in the background.
Crossing from one sunny side of the canyon to the other.
I took a spur trail to a viewpoint and got this vision of the peak. Still 1.3 miles to go.
Almost there, right after this spot another sign marks the end of city-maintained trail.
