Cowles Mountain

Summit, Cowles Mountain

Right behind the second most popular hike in San Diego, Iron Mountain, is the first most popular (cue drum roll) Cowles Mountain. If you even have a remote interest in hiking, or the outdoors, or are even somewhat athletic in that you move around because you are alive, or even if you’re the undead of some sort, chances are that you’ve heard about Cowles Mountain. Like Iron Mountain, Cowles Mountain is a popular hike. In fact, saying that it’s popular is like saying that the Interstate 5 through Los Angeles during rush hour is congested. It’s a classic understatement. As Cowles Mountain is located very close to the core of San Diego, there are people on this trail at all hours. I have been on this trail at all hours of the day and night, and frankly, as I said about Iron Mountain, I defy you to find a time when people are not on the trail.

But here’s the thing about Cowles Mountain. I’m not sure it’s really a mountain. Yes, I know that technically, at 1,591 feet above sea level, it qualifies as a “mountain”, and yes, I know that it is one of the “larger” peaks in the city proper, but to me, it just feels like a hill. My mind quails to count Cowles as a mountain, when it seems like a hill compared to some of the bigger peaks in the surrounding region within an hour or two hour drive. To me, it seems a little bit like that movie – The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain (yes, I know – obscure movie reference of the month, if not year), and in this sense, Cowles Mountain is San Diego’s “mountain”, so it’s best for me not to claim that it’s not or that it’s mountain-ness should be diminished. I also willingly concede that if you’re working yourself into shape, or are young, old, or have some other reason, it may seem like Mt. Everest to you, in which case, it is worthy of the name; but to me, it seems like Cowles Hill – but then, who cares what I think, because I don’t get to name things whatsoever.

Directions: The best way, and the most popular way to head up Cowles Mountain is the Western approach, which starts from the Mission Trails Regional Park parking lot at the intersection of Golfcrest and Navajo. (http://www.mtrp.org/directions.asp?idno=2) Do note that as this is a very popular hike, the lot may be full, at which point, you may have to park on the street; but do not worry, there is ample street parking. From the parking lot, the trailhead is clearly marked, and is conveniently located next to a bathroom. The trail immediately starts heading uphill, as it has nine hundred and thirty-three (933) feet of elevation gain. The majority of the trail is switchbacks heading toward the summit, and in my opinion, given the amount of traffic that the trail gets, the trail is well maintained. After one and one half miles (1.5), you will find yourself at the summit, with a great 360 degree view of the city of San Diego. At this point, you can continue along the Eastern side of the mountain further into Mission Trails park proper; or like most people, turn around and head back down for an easy, roundtrip hike of three (3) miles.

 Winter Solstice, Cowles Mountain Summit, 2011

I rate this as an easy hike despite the elevation gain based on two factors: 1) the amount and variety of people hiking the mountain, from young to old; and 2) the fact that people regularly run the mountain on a daily basis; sometimes with weights. However, difficulty is subjective, and if you are new to hiking, you may find it steep; if that is the case, this is a great introductory hike, and a great introduction to hiking in San Diego because of the view and the comraderie you will experience on the trail.

Tips: If you’re running the trail, like I do at times, be prepared to come to a screeching halt or stop on numerous occasions, as the trail does get congested, and there are blind corners. Be considerate, watch your speed, and don’t run over people. Additionally, every December Mission Trails Regional Park Guides lead a great hike for the winter solstice, which is a fun experience for all ages, provided you can get up early enough to hike the mountain! (http://www.mtrp.org/events.asp?actiontype=showdate&the_date=12/21/2011) And, as with any hike, do be sure to take water.

See you on the trail!

More Information: http://www.mtrp.org/pop_map_details.asp?area_idno=0&habitat_idno=0&trail_idno=3, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowles_Mountain, http://www.100peaks.com/2009/09/01/cowles-mountain-peak-7/, http://www.yelp.com/biz/cowles-mountain-san-diego

Tarantula Season!

Yep, that's a spider!

While trekking around the Grasslands loop of Mission Trails Regional Park the other weekend, I saw this beast of a spider, among many others. With the cool nights and shorter fall days, this guy and his friends and family are definitely all coming out to see what is going on. In true tarantula form, he showed his appreciation for my attention by displaying his rear end prominently. If you're lucky, maybe you'll see some of these around the county as well. And, as long as I'm discussing things that come out this time of year, keep a weather eye out for Rattlesnakes, as I also spotted one of those lurking around near dusk, getting ready to hunt for prey. See you on the trail!

Xterra Mission Gorge 5/15K Trail Run, May 30, 2010

Mission Trails - looking green still!I could hear the birds starting to sing as the sun rose early Sunday morning. I turned over, and went back to sleep. When the alarm went off at seven, I was almost ready to get up. It was a welcome change from the previous two races I had ran, in Vegas (http://lastadventurer.squarespace.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2010/4/29/viva-las-henderson-lake-las-vegas-xterra-trail-run-april-24.html), and Malibu (http://lastadventurer.squarespace.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2010/5/12/xterra-malibu-creek-challenge-trail-run-may-8-2010.html) where I had to get up before the sun just to make it to the courses on time. Compared to those mornings, this Sunday was leisurely. Moreover, the conditions were finally great; it was a warm, clear summer-like day. It was a welcome contrast to the conditions that had postponed the race twice before, where seven consecutive weekends of rain had soaked San Diego.

As I warmed up for the race, I was a little nostalgic – after all, this was the race last year that had brought me back to racing. I had started off that race fast, but then had to tough it out to merely finish. That race had been particularly frustrating because I had lost my prime position in the third mile on one of the last straightaways. As my knee had shot out flames of pain, I watched competitors who I had previously passed dart by me. I had used that memory as motivation as I worked my way back. While there was still a lot of room for improvement, I felt great about where I had come back from. 

Mixed in with the memories of the last year, however, was a bit of mental fatigue. I had run eight races since March. While it wasn’t the mental burden of a race a weekend, it was close. There was little time for adjustments in between races, and almost no time to take off from training. I was a little mentally drained from constantly having to find motivation, and constantly having to find my edge to pass people while sprinting hard for the finish. Back when I was climbing mountains for my non-profit, I had come to a simple epiphany – that completing any challenging event was accomplished first in the mind, then in the body. I had been the most successful on climbs where my mental focus was sharp, as opposed to the ascents that had come after days upon days of straight climbing. Of course, solid physical conditioning was always a huge asset to my mental state.

As I stretched, I realized that being overly focused on the competitive aspects of the last seven races had made racing less fun. I was ready for a break, and I knew that after this race, I’d have a little over a month off before the next series of races began. I knew that by then, I’d be excited and ready to race again. As I finished stretching, I knew that I should have fun with this last race and enjoy the moment. With that in mind, I turned up the music and shook out the tension in my arms. I looked around at the other runners, some with grim, competitive faces, some with nervous eyes, and some with apathetic expressions. I grinned, put on my best devil-may-care smile and stepped toward the start line.

With my relaxed attitude, the race turned out to be a blast. Like last year, the course was well laid out, stretching through fields of native spring growth slowly turning from green to brown, before arcing into a single track section along a seasonal creek, before slowing curving back around to the old Mission Dam and over the bridges and back toward the finish line. As I ran, I let go of the frustrations of earlier races – being sick, being stuck behind slower people in single track areas, and the nagging complaints of aches and small flaws. In the end, it wasn’t my best finish, and my pace was a little off what I had ran competitively in earlier races, but I didn’t care. I felt good about ending the race on a relaxed note, and the series on a high note – I had competed well, met a lot of great people, and had a great time, so that, in the end was what mattered to me. And of course, I’ll be back in these races next year with a drive to improve even further. But until then, I’ll see you all on the trail or road in a month or so, after I climb some mountains and have some other adventures.