Join the Challenge
The San Diego Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge is a self-paced hiking and trail running challenge up six iconic San Diego County mountains, including “the hardest hike in San Diego” and the high point of San Diego County.
You choose whether you want to complete them in six days, six weeks, or take the entire year. Set the schedule that works best for you.
You can climb them in order as you build your strength and endurance, or mix it up. The choice is yours. Your registration will help support Big City Mountaineers, so you'll be doing good for others with each peak you climb.
Overview Map of the San Diego Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
The Peaks of the San Diego Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
VOLCAN MOUNTAIN – Elevation 5,353′ (1632 m)
This 5,353′ peak has views of a transitioning landscape, with views that extend to the Pacific Ocean and even Catalina Island on a clear day, and to Anza-Borrego and the Salton Sea to the east. It was considered as a potential site for the observatory that was eventually built on Mount Palomar, and you can still see the remains of the outpost built during the siting study. It's also home to a USPS Air Mail signal tower that dates back to the 1920's when such towers guided pilots across the country at night.
Recommended Six-Pack Route: Hiking Volcan Mountain – SoCalHiker
Distance: 5.1 miles; Vertical +/- 1,170 feet
MOUNT WOODSON – Elevation 2,881′ (878m)
Better known for the side-trip to “Potato Chip Rock”, Mount Woodson (also known as Woodson Mountain) is popular for a reason.
Recommended Six-Pack Route: Woodson Mountain from Lake Poway
Distance: 6.6 miles; Vertical +/- 2,000 feet
CUYAMACA PEAK – Elevation 6,512′ (1,985m)
San Diego's second highest peak, with views that on a clear day can stretch from Mexico to the Coronado Islands. Located in a State Park, dogs are only allowed on paved trails, and there happens to be one to the summit.
Recommended Six-Pack Route: Cuyamaca Highlands – Scott Turner Hikes
Distance: varies; Vertical +/- varies
HOT SPRINGS MOUNTAIN – Elevation 6,533′ (1991m)
At 6,533′ Hot Springs Mountain is the tallest in San Diego County, making it a must-hike peak for high-pointers. It's located on the Los Coyotes Reservation, which requires a $10 entrance fee.
Recommended Six-Pack Route: Hiking Hot Springs Mountain
Distance: 10.2 miles; Vertical +/- 2,118 feet
EL CAJON MOUNTAIN – Elevation 3,648′ (1112m)
At 3,648′ El Cajon Mountain is not the tallest by far, but this 11 mile trek climbs 4,000 vertical feet, making it one of the toughest in San Diego.
Recommended Six-Pack Route: El Cajon Mountain (El Capitan) – Uphill Both Ways
Distance: 11 miles; Vertical +/- 4,000 feet
HIGH POINT – Elevation 6,138′ (1871m)
The highest point on Mount Palomar is 6,138′ High Point, with a strenuous 13 mile hike to match.
Recommended Six-Pack Route: Hiking to High Point on Palomar Mountain
Distance: 13.8 miles; Vertical +/- 3,509 feet
Latest San Diego Challenge Hike Logs
“It will be worth the views” they said
Ohhhhh this was a doozy. All the hike reports said “it's uphill both ways” and indeed it was. There was some nice sun and views
El Cajon Mountian
This was a tough hike. Not only were there lots of ups and downs, but it rained and hailed on us when we got to
An Icy Winter Wonderland for a Final Hike
This hike was so beautiful! It is one of our favorites anyway, but because we hiked in the evening on the day it started to
El Cajon Mountain
Started around 8:00 am and finished around 1:00 pm. It was supposed to rain today, although it never did. It was cold and very cloudy
El Cajon Mtn
Such a beautiful hike. Definitely challenging at many points. Bit of a rock scramble to get to the top.
Day after Christmas hikr
Hiked after a recent rain storm, trail was so what muddy but easy to walk with no issues, the las 1.5 miles to the summit
