(Moderate) Cowles Mountain via Mesa Trail

Join us for a morning hike to Cowles Mountain summit and enjoy lots of beautiful panoramic views. The last .5 miles to the top is the steepest with many hikers.

Mesa Trail to Cowles Mountain Summit. Ascend Cowles from Mesa Trail Road. We'll be making an out and back hike starting on Mesa Trail that climbs the east side of the mountain near Grossmont College up to the Big Rock Trail Junction, then onward to Cowles Service Road. Continuing up the Service Road we'll transverse Barker Spur East over to Barker Way Trail then proceed up to the main Cowles trail junction, then make the 1/2 mile ascent to the summit. Cowles is the highest point in San Diego City at 1,593 feet, with outstanding 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding area including an outstanding view of Lake Murray. Return trip is planned descent of the same trails, Cowles, Barker, Spur East, Service Road, Big Rock and Mesa. The area is comprised mainly of Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub, rocky up / down hills and gravel road.

If you wish to bring a guest, please have them join our group and signup. There are no restrooms available.

Rating: Moderate (hard side of moderate)
Distance: 4.40 - 5 miles
Route Type: Out & back
Terrain: Rocky, Up/Downhill, Switchbacks, Gravel Road
Elevation: 1,222 ft
Trekking Poles: For downhills (optional)
What to bring: 2 quarts of water, sunscreen, hat, good shoes/boots, snacks (we will take a break at the summit).

Please note the following: KNOW YOUR LIMITS and be prepared. 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. Please note, this is a medium paced hike. Plan on 2.5 hours on the trail. 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. Error on the side of caution if you are unsure.

DISCLAIMER: All leaders and organizers of this group are not professional guides and do this solely for their own enjoyment. By being a member of this group and choosing to attend this hike, you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any and all group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, organizers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. By choosing to attend, you agree with the preceding disclaimer.
• All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests.
• By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.

Where to Meet us: 7:15 a.m. in the small parking lot at the end of Mesa Road in Santee (go to the end of the dirt road). Hike starts promptly at 7:30 a.m.

Post-Hike Gather
If someone knows of a place for a bite to eat nearby we can meet there afterwards.