Hiking San Diego’s Mission Trails 5-Peak Challenge
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Last Sunday marked my return to the trails as I embarked on the Mission Trails 5-Peak Challenge in San Diego, CA. After battling bronchitis for two weeks, my usual hiking routine had been disrupted, leaving me eager to reclaim my stride. The Mission Trails challenge was the perfect opportunity to ease back into my weekly mileage with a relatively low investment. With minimal driving required and the flexibility to bail at any time given its segmented nature, it seemed like the ideal choice compared to driving up towards LA for the SoCal peaks awaiting me in the coming months. So, with determination and a hint of trepidation, I set out to conquer the rugged terrain and breathtaking vistas that awaited me in Mission Trails Regional Park.
Gear Recommendation
In addition to the renowned ten essentials, take into account the following gear recommendations for embarking on this hike:
My Hiking Route
There are several hiking options to take on this challenge. I hiked up North Fortuna, South Fortuna, and Kwaay Paay. Then I drove to Cowles’ Barker Way trailhead and climbed up to Cowles and Pyles. Honestly, I think that’s the easiest option of them all. I chose this because it allows me to go back and do it with the more challenging options in the future. I could use my car as a food and water cache, it was a nice easy way to get back into hiking. And I still have more challenging options to hike in the future.
1. North Fortuna and South Fortuna
North Fortuna
I began my ascent of the first two peaks by hitting the Old Mission Dam to North and South Fortuna hiking trail. It’s a scenic 5.8-mile route, known to offer a moderate challenge. While there’s a small parking lot at the trailhead with toilets, it tends to fill up fast. However, finding parking along Father Junipero Serra Trail is relatively easy, albeit adding a few extra steps to your hike.
The adventure began with a hike to North Fortuna Peak, revealing beautiful sights along the way. At first, the trail is gentle, following a pretty river for about a mile. Then, things get tougher as you climb for another mile to reach the summit. You’ll find a short break at the saddle halfway up. From there, head north to keep going towards the top of North Fortuna.
Remember, while All Trails marks the summit on their map, you’ll need to walk a bit farther, about a quarter-mile more, to get to the North Fortuna summit sign for those perfect photo moments. One down, four to go!
South Fortuna
After returning to the saddle, I headed south towards South Fortuna Peak. The trail to the second summit was surprisingly easy from the saddle, almost feeling like cheating. It was a picturesque route, adorned with wildflowers everywhere, making the journey very pleasant. I took my obligatory photo and made my way back down to the trailhead and enjoyed a quick pit stop by my car to make lunch and drink some electrolytes.
Two down, three to go!
2. Kwaay Paay Peak
After lunch, I made my way to my third peak of the day: Kwaay Paay!
The Kwaay Paay Peak Trail spans about 2.4 miles round trip and is often seen as quite challenging, mainly due to the steep incline of the last quarter-mile, which hits around 30%.
Once again, the trail was surrounded by beautiful wildflowers, making it a delightful return to my mission.
After snapping a photo at the summit, I descended back to my car and drove to the Barker Way trailhead to tackle the last two peaks. Feeling fantastic at that point, I was thrilled that this challenge seemed completely achievable now. I felt strong and eager for the final two peaks.
Three down, two to go!!
A more challenging option to hike the Fortunas and Kaay Paay
AllTrails offers another option, linking these three peaks into a single challenging route, as shown in the map below. This alternative makes the three-peak hike more demanding, especially because it involves climbing the stairs up to South Fortuna. This route forms a 10.4-mile loop with a 2,752 ft elevation gain. In contrast, combining the two hikes I did totals 8.2 miles with a 2,138 ft elevation gain!
3. Cowles Mountain and Pyles Peak
After enjoying a quick snack as I drove, the final push was to hike up to Cowles and then Pyles from Barker Way. I got there in the middle of the afternoon, so on-street parking was very easy to find.
Cowles Mountain
I started my ascent via Barker Way, a moderate switchback trail that joins back to the main more popular trail up to Cowles Mountain, where more switchbacks waited for me. Quickly took my photo at Cowles, and just like that, I only had one peak left!! I could not believe I was actually going to get this done!!
Four down, one to go!!!
Pyles View Peak
This challenge marked my first time hiking to Pyles, and surprisingly, it was the first moment of uncertainty during the challenge. I wasn’t sure which way to go from Cowles summit, but thankfully, the trail was well-marked. Despite feeling good, I faced a hiccup: since I was using the original Fortuna route to record my activity, I couldn’t see the elevation profile by the time I reached Cowles and Pyles to prepare myself mentally.
It dawned on me quickly that the descent and subsequent climb to Pyles were quite strenuous. Realizing I’d have to ascend back to Cowles before heading down to my car, I began to think that starting with Cowles and Pyles might have been a smarter move. Lesson learned for next time!
Heading towards Pyles provided yet another opportunity to immerse myself in a landscape adorned with wildflowers. It offered a serene contrast to the bustling Cowles trail. Despite the physical strain it took to tackle it later in the day, hiking to Pyles served as a peaceful conclusion to the challenge, offering a moment of blissful solitude to reflect on the day’s journey and appreciate the adventure.
As I reached the final peak, joy and excitement bubbled up within me. Yet, I was also eager to wrap things up and head back. One more summit photo captured the moment, and then I was on my way.
Five peaks down!!!!!!! Wow, I did it!!!!!
Descending via the service road, the memories of my adventure lingered in my mind. The Mission Trails 5-Peak Challenge had pushed my physical and mental limits, but it had also bestowed moments of profound beauty and connection with nature. It was a journey that left an indelible mark on my soul, sparking a newfound passion for adventure and a deep appreciation for the wonders of the natural world.
Would I do it again? Absolutely!! It really wasn’t as bad as I anticipated, especially considering I was sick for the two weeks before the challenge. I started coughing my lungs out again after the fourth peak, but I am so glad I could complete the challenge. I also want to tackle the more challenging route options in the future!! This is a great training hike for those training for more challenging peaks beyond San Diego County.
Pretty Flowers found along the Mission Trails 5-Peak Challenge
My Stats for the Mission Trails 5-Peak Challenge
I conquered this 15-mile Mission Trails 5-Peak Challenge in 5 hours and 24 minutes, with a whopping elevation gain of 4,324 feet! I couldn’t be happier with my achievement, especially considering I had been coughing my lungs out for the two weeks leading up to it.
Relive My Mission Trails 5-Peak Challenge Hike
Check out my Mission Trails 5-Peak Challenge hike on Relive! It’s a fantastic platform for adventure lovers to capture and share outdoor experiences like never before. With Relive, you can create custom videos that vividly depict your journeys, turning memories into captivating stories ready for sharing. Share the beauty of your adventures and inspire others to explore nature through Relive’s immersive storytelling.
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Final Thoughts on Mission Trails 5-Peak Challenge
As I returned home, tired but fulfilled, I couldn’t help but smile at the memories of the day’s adventure. The Mission Trails 5-Peak Challenge had been more than just a hike; it had been a testament to the human spirit and the boundless beauty of our world. As I looked ahead to future adventures, I knew that the mountains would always call me back, whispering tales of untold wonders waiting to be discovered. And if you’re looking for another challenge, learn about the epic Six Pack of Peaks Challenge series here!!
Post originally published on May 15, 2024, and last updated on August 24, 2024.
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