Hiking Hot Springs Mountain: San Diego’s Highest Peak

Tucked in the scenic landscapes of Warner Springs, California, the Hot Springs Mountain Trail provides a challenging yet rewarding outdoor experience. The trail is 9.8 miles long with a 2,401-foot elevation gain, leading to the highest point in San Diego County – Hot Springs Mountain. In this blog post, I’ll explore the trail, and its unique features, and share my experience navigating its twists and turns.

Hot Springs Mountain Trail Overview

The Hot Springs Mountain Trail is a popular 10-mile route open year-round, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from all around. The trail’s challenging nature means it takes an average of 5 hours and 19 minutes to complete according to AllTrails.

The journey promises stunning views and encounters with diverse flora and fauna, making it a must-visit destination for hikers seeking a memorable adventure. Dogs are welcome, provided they are leashed, adding to the appeal for pet owners looking for a scenic trek with their four-legged companions.

This trail is part of the San Diego Six Packs Of Peaks Challenge, and it is the fifth hike I am taking as part of this challenge.

Permits and Courtesy

Before embarking on the Hot Springs Mountain Trail, it’s essential to note that a hiking permit is required from the Los Coyotes Reservation. This permit can be purchased in advance online here and currently costs $10.00 (plus a $1.00 booking fee!) As the trail is located on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation, hikers are reminded to be respectful of the land and its inhabitants. Also, bring your ID with you for the gate attendant to match your reservation!

Trail Specifics

The trail leads to Hot Springs Mountain, the highest point in San Diego County. Be ready for sunny, exposed sections, so bring enough water and sun protection. The challenging terrain is offset by breathtaking scenery, turning each step into a journey through nature’s wonders.

Weather

Check the weather forecast before you go; it gets considerably cooler at the summit. During my visit, the forecast predicted low 60s at the trailhead, accurate initially. However, it got colder as I climbed and gained elevation. Despite wearing knee-length leggings, a tank, and a warm hoodie, I wished for long leggings and a puffy jacket. It was so cold at the top that I could see my breath! I shivered through lunch and eagerly got moving again.

Bugs

I read on AllTrails that the bugs were bad at that trail, and bringing a bug net was a must! So I made sure I bought one before I took on this hike, and of course, I encountered zero bugs!

My Hot Springs Mountain Tale

Setting Out with a Time Constraint

One Sunday afternoon, I set out to conquer Hot Springs Mountain. Despite a permit valid until 6 pm, the gate attendant warned I needed to be out by 5:30 pm due to how dark the trail gets after sunset. It was 12.30 when I arrived, so this meant I had to complete the hike in less than 5 hours and beat the AllTrails average completion time. Challenge accepted!

Technical Hurdles on the Trail

Armed with determination, I began the adventure, only to face an unexpected challenge – the AllTrails app had mysteriously offloaded during the drive (thanks Apple!) Of course, I didn’t know which trailhead to start the hike from and I had not sent the waypoints to my Garmin! There is no cell service in the reservation, so I could not download it again. Furthermore, it had been a couple of weeks since I read the AllTrails reviews and other blog posts I found about that hike, so I couldn’t remember what I read or the photos I saw.

Navigational Surprises

I never saw a specific trailhead for Hot Spring Mountain where I parked (I must have been temporarily blind and overly focused on my technical challenge!). But after a pitstop by the very clean portaloo, I noticed a trailhead sign for two trails. I followed a trail named Tukwet (if I remember correctly, and the other option was called Pal.) Tukwet wound through a dense forest, adding an unexpected yet delightful element to my journey. It was quite a literal rollercoaster of a trail, with steep uphills and downhills. I figured I might be on the right trail because I remembered reading the first 2 miles were especially steep. It was also going in the general direction that I knew Hot Springs Mountain was.

After 1.75 miles, the trail merged with a service road. At that intersection, the only sign reading Hot Spring Mountain Trail pointed down toward the campground, so going up should take me to my destination! And that provided a sense of relief and accomplishment.

A Variety of Landscapes

After climbing the steep trail, I ended up in a lush forest where the hike became an effortless stroll. Most trees were green but there were a few signs of fall in some of the foliage. A moment later, I made it to the top, summiting both the peak and the lookout tower.

A poster at the top of Hot Spring Mountain explains that the fire lookout tower is the oldest of all towers in the Cleveland National Forest. The first one was built in 1912, and the poster also shows photos of what the tower looked like over the last 111 years.

A Scenic Lunch and Missed Photo Opportunity

I marveled at the majestic views but couldn’t locate the Hot Springs Mountain sign for a coveted photo. I think I was on the wrong side of the summit, I should have gone behind that big rock towards the left, instead of going to the right of it. Nevertheless, I enjoyed a homemade wrap for lunch with stunning views of the forest below.

Descent into Beauty

I then descended back, sticking to the service road to save a mile compared to the ascent. The sun was setting behind me as I hiked down, and I could see clouds floating below me in the valley. It was incredibly beautiful.

Mission Accomplished

I returned to my car at 5.31 pm, and the mission was accomplished! My trusty Garmin device recorded 11.18 miles in 4 hours and 55 minutes, with a total ascent of 2,790 feet. And as it turns out, the trailhead was left to my car, and I had gone right for the portaloo and that’s where I saw a trailhead from. So if you go, make sure you take the gated road on the left of the parking lot! Or take the same way I took, it’s a mile longer, but it’s more interesting than the service road. You can see the detour I took in the Garmin GPS track below, to the right of the main trail where the red dot is.

Relive My Hot Springs Mountain Hike

If you’ve seen my posts before, you’ll know I typically use Relive to make a movie of my hikes. I love how it gives a better perspective of the terrain.

I use the free version, so the video quality is not the best, but it’s pretty good for being free. Best of all, I don’t need to track with Relive, it connects to the Garmin app.

Final Thoughts on Hot Springs Mountain

The Hot Springs Mountain Trail embodies the splendor of California’s outdoor offerings. With its challenging terrain and scenic views, Hot Springs Mountain provides an adventure that will be etched in the memories of those who dare to explore its paths. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner seeking a thrilling challenge, the Hot Springs Mountain Trail beckons with open arms, promising an unforgettable journey to its summit.

And with that, I only have one hike left to complete the San Diego Six Packs Of Peaks Challenge!

Want to join the fun? Sign up for the San Diego Six Pack of Peaks challenge here!

Post originally published on November 21, 2023, and last updated on February 23, 2024.