Mt. Gower County Preserve — Attraction in California

My favorite running/hiking trail in San Diego! Two parking areas. Dirt lot outside of gate and main one in gate on gravel. Main area has 1 picnic table and bathrooms. 3 trails. At sign at gravel lot up and to the left is 1 and over 4 miles round trip, no water or bathrooms. 2nd is at sign up and to your right when you find the big boulders that are like a teepee on your left take the trail up to your right. This one is about 2.5 miles round trip nice signs along the way to teach about the area. 3rd is to the teepee rocks but then stay on main trail that goes down this one is over 7 miles and will take you to the top of Gower. No water or bathrooms along trail. Be smart bring water and dont go on hot days. Rattlesnakes are out so...

windy, undulating trail was beautiful on a January afternoon, though quite a workout. trail to the far viewpoint is about 11 miles out and back. the first few miles are a lot of up and down and up, but once you get up near mt gower (which the main trail does not summit) the next few miles are more level. up past mt gower, it felt wild, a big open plateau like area up in the mountains and I didn't come across any more people. trail splits a few times, lots of space to explore. sunset was beautiful and i was thankful to have a headlamp coming out. bring lots of water, even the return trip has some...

Great hike! One of my two fav's (the other: Cedar Creek Falls). Nearly 10 mi. out and back- mod to difficult with steep scramble to the summit plateau; but well worth the view and experience. Pic is after 2008 fires in San Diego county, charred manzanita on Gower at sunrise . Get to the trailhead before sunrise for better chance of seeing wildlife: owls, turkey, quail, coyote just...