Cowles Mountain — Local services in San Diego

The Cowles Mountain hike consists of switch backs all the way to the top. The trail is moderately difficult with some loose rocks and dirt. Pretty manageable for the average person. I’d recommend getting on this trail early or late in the afternoon. During busy times this trail is worse than the line for a ride at Disneyland and why it gets three stars. You are pretty exposed to the sun and wind with no available shade. Cowles Mountain (/koʊlz/, [kaʊlz]; properly KOHLZ, commonly KOWLZ) is a prominent mountain located in the San Carlos neighborhood, within the City of San Diego, San Diego County, California. The 1,593-foot (486 m) summit is the highest point of the city of San Diego. The mountain is named after George A. Cowles, an 1870s-80s rancher and early businessperson in southwestern San Diego County. The main trail to the summit is a popular hiking destination taking hundreds of people per day to a 360-degree panorama of San Diego County. The hike to the top is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and an elevation change of about 950 feet (290 m). This trail is on the corner of Golfcrest Drive and Navajo Road. A much-less-used but maintained trail begins near the intersection of Boulder Lake Avenue and Barker way. This trail meets the main trail near the summit.

On March 25, 2013 the trails of Cowles were closed for maintenance. The trails were reopened in May 2013 after several improvements to water drainage...

Cowles Mountain is the go-to hike in the City of San Diego. It's easy to get to from the 125 freeway off Navajo. Parking at busy times can be a real nightmare. Don't be surprised if you have to park 1/4 mile away and walk to the trailhead. But you're out for a good hike anyway, so what's an extra 1000 feet to you? Because the trail is popular, there does tend to be a lot of people on-site. If you are a fast hiker, you will likely get stuck behind some slower folks, but there are plenty of opportunities to pass them. The main trail is NOT open to bicycles, but you can ride a mountain bike up the eastern entrance / fire road that is available off of Barker Way. Cowles is popular for all ages and most abilities. There are a few spots where the rocks are steep, but don't let it be intimidating. Most of the trail is basic and smooth, with the occasion step(s) up. Often you will see the more athletic types RUNNING up and down the mountain. The round trip is about 50-120 minutes depending on your abilities. The view from the top is fantastic, which is part of why Cowles Mountain is so popular. Give it a shot today (or tonight... as many hikers take their flashlights to enjoy a...

How could I not give 5 star. The view is worth the hike. You keep walking and wonder when you will actually be getting there and just when you think you're at the top, you got 20 min more to go. Anyways, I was bright enough to go hiking with a glass water bottle (who does that?) and on my way back down as I told myself.. after skidding just a bit on one corner that this was probably not a good idea (the glass), the next corner I took I ended up slipping on some dry dirt and smashed to the floor: it was like slow motion for me. Anyways, I am so thankful two young men following closely behind, or perhaps in front of me actually, helped clear the pathway of my glass, and most of all, sympathized with me, especially as I walked away looking like I was coming from a crime scene with blood all over my white (pretty sure)...