Category: Mountain San Diego

Oakzanita Peak

A perfect way to kick off the Fourth of July weekend! I convinced my friend Dave to tag along for this one. Unlike when Derek summited this peak, there was not a lick of snow to be had ;).

The trail works its way northward for a bit before turning east at the East Mesa Fire Road. You are on the road just for a short bit before veering off. The trail wraps around Oakzinta peak and approaches from the south and east.

The views from the summit we lovely, except we did have some flying ants bothering us, so we did not stay too long.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest. 

Garnet Mountain

Our second summit of the day. This summit is just a short walk from Kwaaymii Point. Ben came along the trail with me but opted not to venture through the brush to the summit.

The winds had picked up and it was fun feeling them race up from the desert floor. There is no benchmark here, but a register can is tucked in the rocks.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest. 

Pine Mountain

This was another two summit day. First up was a hike out to Pine Mountain. My son Ben agreed to tag along. We head out toward the summit, talking about his new role on the USY Board, what his last summer at Camp Ramah would be like, and his final two years of high school. All in all, some nice father-son time.

The actual summit is not easily reachable, so we settled for the trail junction as our ‘summit’.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest. 

Garnet Peak

My second summit of the day (Monument Peak was the first). Just up the road from the Monument Peak Trailhead is the trailhead to Garnet Peak. If you are looking for a longer hiking day, you could hike between them.

The trailhead is denoted by a metal pole, then heads off across a lovely forest meadow. After a bit, you will intersect with the PCT. It is here that the climb will begin in earnest.

The trail works its way up the east and then north side of the peak, all the while your lungs remind you that you are not a sea level.

Once at the summit, you are rewarded with a sweeping view of Anza-Borrego.

On the way back I saw some 20 hikers making their way northward on the PCT for a day hike. We chatted for a bit and then went our separate ways.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest. 

Monument Peak

This was the first of two summits this day (the other being Garnet Peak). Starting from Sunrise Highway, I quickly noted that the rains from the winter had left the trail a tad overgrown as a made my way across the forest floor. The trail then joins with the PCT for a bit, before breaking off to the summit and the communication towers.

The views from the Lagunas are always so impressive. The expanse of Anza-Borrego is stunning. I found the marker and began to head back to the car.

You might notice on the map, a rouge section of red. Remember, how I said the grasses were a bit high, and the trail was a touch overgrown? Well, I missed the turn and was following the slightly more used trail. I decided to double back and return along the same route. Mostly since I did not want to walk along the road to the car.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.