HIKE - STOWE TRAIL - 11 miles - PERMIT Required from MCAS (must be US Citizen)

Details

5/29/25 Stowe Trail 7+ miles (we continue onto Goodan Ranch) add 4 miles...Yes we are doing 11 Miles. We may continue on for another 3.5 miles.
Distance: 11+ miles++++++++
Elevation gain: 500ft+
Terrain: rocky, sandy
Classification: moderate
Access to the Stowe Trail is by permit only under management of the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. If granted, permits are valid for one year from the date signed, after which you must apply for a new permit.
https://search.usa.gov/search?query=Stowe+perit&btnG=GO&utf8=%E2%9C%93&affiliate=all-marines
https://www.miramar.marines.mil/Resources/StoweTrail/
Please visit https://www.miramar.marines.mil/Resources/Community-
Resources/Stowe-Trail/ for permit resources and information.
The Stowe Trail extends just over two miles from north to south along the extreme eastern boundary of MCAS Miramar between Santee Lakes and Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch Preserve. Over 100 years ago, the Stowe Trail was a vital transportation link connecting the township of Stowe and Poway to Santee and El Cajon.
The Fanita Hills, as the region is sometimes called, is home to coyotes, mountain lions, gray fox, and 18 other mammal species, 21 types of reptiles and amphibians, and over 100 bird species.
Follow the instructions below to apply for access to Stowe Trail:
1. Download the background form and liability waiver via the link on this web page.
2. Read the liability waiver but DO NOT SIGN, this document must be witnessed at Vehicle Registration. If you do not agree to the liability waiver's provisions you will not be issued a pass and may stop the application here.
3. Fill out and sign the background document; instructions are on page 2 of the SECNAV 5512/1 form (Stowe Trail Permit Application) .
4. Bring the completed application/background document and liability waiver, with all required supporting identification in person to B6200, Vehicle Registration, MCAS Miramar (Accessed via I-15, take the Miramar Way exit, then west bound on Miramar Way) Use the right lane and inform the gate sentry that you need to drop off your background form for Stowe Trail.
5. Allow 10 working days and then call Vehicle Registration at: 858-307-1463 to see if your background application is approved, denied or still pending.
6. If approved, you will be assigned a specific day that you can come to Building 6200, Vehicle Registration, MCAS Miramar to be photographed and receive your permit.
7. Enter Vehicle Registration and obtain a copy of your approved background form.
8. Once you have the background form, take it to the building adjacent to Vehicle Registration.
9. Provide the form to an official at Vehicle Registration and wait to receive your Stowe Trail identification card (permit).
Note: Wait times to receive the identification card may vary as uniformed personnel and civilian base employees have priority.
Note: Only U.S. Citizens are eligible to apply for a Stowe Trail permit.

Please note the following: KNOW YOUR LIMITS.

Our organizers are not tour guides, we're not rangers. Going out with us is the same as going out with a few friends. Expect the same risks, take the same precautions.
As organizers, we will do our best to give accurate descriptions of the hikes we post.

If you're a beginning hiker, a hike's elevation and distance may not mean much to you. Likewise, difficulty ratings are subjective, and a hike that is "easy" to one person may be "moderate" to another.

Err on the side of caution.

You're much better off going on a hike that's too easy for you than a hike that's too hard or too dangerous for you. As you go on more hikes with us, you'll become more familiar with our ratings and our descriptions, and you'll learn more about your own limits.