Potato Chip Rock: Hiking San Diego’s Most Popular Trail
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Situated in Poway, near San Diego, California, Potato Chip Rock is a favorite for many local hikers. As of 2023, The Mount Woodson trail has been included in the San Diego Six Packs of Peaks Challenge as an alternate peak. Given that the December 31st deadline is looming and I still have three hikes to complete, I chose to conquer Mount Woodson and Potato Chip Rock in case I run out of time to complete one of the other three I have left. Here are some key details about the Potato Chip Rock hike.
Potato Chip Rock: Location, Parking, and Amenities
The Potato Chip Rock hike is situated on the Mount Woodson Trail in Poway, northeast of San Diego. As far as I know, the trailhead that counts for the San Diego Six Packs of Peaks Challenge is accessible from Lake Poway Recreation Area.
There is a parking lot at Lake Poway Recreation Area, and a $10.00 fee may be required on Saturdays and Sundays if you don’t live in Poway. The fee is payable by credit card. It’s important to note that the parking lot gates close at 4.45 pm. So make sure you get your car out before that time if you choose to park in the Lake Poway Recreation Area.
The trailhead area also has amenities like restrooms water fountains and even picnic tables near the trailhead. Once you start hiking, there are a couple of areas with portaloos around the lake, before the climb starts.
Gear Recommendation
In addition to the ten essentials, check out these gear recommendations below:
The Potato Chip Rock (Mount Woodson) hiking trail
Hiking Stats
The hike to Potato Chip Rock is moderately challenging, with a slightly steep incline and rocky terrain after the junction with Warren Trail. I hiked to the top of Mount Woodson, which is only a few minutes higher up than the Insta-famous rock.
The round trip is approximately 7.5 miles (12 kilometers), with a 2,220 ft climbing elevation. It took me 2 hours and 58 minutes to complete it, without pausing the clock at the top or for photo breaks. I started on a Saturday at 1.19 pm and finished at 4.18 pm.
The trailhead is easily accessible, and there are clear markers to guide hikers along the path. You don’t need to pay attention to a map if you pay attention to the signs.
The Hike
It’s 3.7 miles one way to the top. The trail starts easy with a downhill around Lake Poway to reach the hills.
At 0.7 miles, it then becomes a moderate incline until about halfway to the top. After the junction with Warren Trail, the trail becomes more rocky. Don’t forget to look back, the views get better and better!
Once that section is done, the rest is pretty easy to Potato chip rock.
Potato Chip Rock is a thin, slanted rock formation that extends over the edge of the mountain. It has become a popular spot for photos, with hikers posing on the thin “chip-like” structure. Hikers can stand, sit, or even jump atop this unique formation perched on the mountain’s edge if you have enough patience to wait for your turn!
There were perhaps only 5 people in line to take a photo, which is quiet compared to peak times. However, I was worried about the 4.45 pm parking lot gate closure to get my car out so I skipped the photo opp.
The last portion from Potato Chip Rock to Mount Woodson summit is a steep paved road. Don’t miss going to the top! You’ll be rewarded with great views in all directions!
Crowds
I first completed this hike in April 2018. It was a Sunday morning and it was so unbelievably crowded that I hated it and never went back until last week. This time around though, on a Saturday afternoon, it was much quieter and a lot more enjoyable. The only annoyance was a couple of people playing their music on a loudspeaker… why!!!!
Weather Considerations
Given the exposed nature of the trail, it’s essential to bring sun protection, especially on warmer days. Adequate water and sturdy hiking shoes are also recommended. There are some shaded areas to catch a breath, but it’s mostly very exposed to the elements.
Relive Video
I love using Relive to visually see my hikes amongst mountains and other terrains. I am sure you will too. And best of all, you don’t need to use your phone’s app to get this tracking. I connected Relive to my Garmin Connect app, and it automatically retrieves my hikes. Then I used the Relive app on my phone to put together this video.
You can create the video in multiple formats, It’s a great little app. The free version’s video quality is not the best, so if you plan on using it a lot, it may be worth purchasing the paid version. Then you can add video clips and use more than 10 photos to your Relive adventure.
Final Thoughts
And with that, I completed my “bonus” hike of the San Diego Six Packs of Peaks Challenge, though right now it is my 4th hike in the challenge. I am still planning on completing the other three by year-end… stay tuned! Are you interested in taking part in this San Diego hiking challenge? Sign up for the San Diego Six Pack of Peaks challenge here!
Also, guess what! The 10th annual Southern California Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge begins January 1, 2024, and registration is now open!! I already signed up!! So pumped to keep the fun going into next year!
Happy trails!
Post originally published on November 17, 2023, and last updated on December 7, 2024.
