A Quiet Place

My final peak for the San Diego Six Pack of Peaks Challenge, Palomar Mountain’s High Point Lookout Tower which tops out at 6,140 feet in elevation. Today was my 7^th summit of this mountain from the Oak Grove Trailhead since 2019. This peak isn’t the hardest or highest climb of the challenge, but it is the longest at 13.41 miles and a respectable 3,559 feet in overall elevation gain and loss.

Of the seven peaks in this challenge, it is hands down my favorite. Why you may ask, most of the hike is on a fire road? Simple. My very first summit, on November 30, 2019 (one of my all-time favorite hikes) was covered in snow. The views both near and far were absolutely stunning. I hiked in snowshoes for about 8 miles of the 13+ mile day and other than a few animals, my tracks were the only tracks on the trail. It was amazing!

Then again on January 1,2022 at 0001 in the morning, my friends and I set off to complete our 1^st of 6 peaks from the San Diego Six Pack of Peaks Challenge in less than 48 hours. First up was Palomar Mountain’s High Point. It was dark and cold as we set off. As we climbed to the summit the temps continued to drop and the winds were relentless, topping out at 45 mph gusts. Snow- and ice-covered large sections of the trail as we pushed our way up. Making this again one of my favorite hikes of the challenge and of hiking in general.

Today, December 1, 2024, almost five years to the day of my first High Point hike, was not so exciting, but still a very enjoyable hike. I began this morning around 0615. No wind and the temps were in the low 40’s with mostly clear skies. I was the only car in the lot and the only hiker on trail. At least until my descent.

The trail starts off easy enough. In .71 miles only gain about 146 feet in elevation with a 54-foot loss in elevation. Here is where the hardest part of the trail begins. About 1.34 miles of switchbacks climbing up 1313 feet to where the trail meets up with Oak Grove Road (truck trail).

From there you follow the truck trail another 1.5 miles and 719 feet in elevation gain to the 1^st gate. From the gate you continue for another 1.84 miles and 758 feet in elevation gain (with 51 feet in elevation loss) to the Palomar Divide Road. Palomar Divide Road is the final 1.31 miles and 546 feet in elevation gain to the summit at 6,135 feet. I think the summit sign someone brought up says 6,073 feet, the official Palomar Mountain sign says 6,140 feet and my GPS (Garmin) said 6,135 feet. Hmm, I wonder who is right?

I hung out at the summit for about 30 minutes. I ate, relaxed and took pictures. There was a volunteer lookout in the tower, but I don’t think he was interested in any company. He saw me, never came out to say hello and the base of the stairs was chained off with a sign that said, “Staff Only”. So, I just did my thing.

On my descent, about 2 miles or so down, I ran into another hiker. Only he was going down too. We hiked together and talked for a few miles. Turns out today was his third hike up in as many weeks. Each hike he increases the distance. Next week he plans to summit with his daughter (an avid hiker).

Other than my conversation with him, the trail was quiet and peaceful all day. Temps began in the 40’s and 50’s and by noon had easily reached the mid 70’s. This made for a pretty good day on trail.

My total hike was 13.41 miles with a 3,559 feet elevation gain and 3,565 feet in elevation loss. The total time was 6 hours 6 minutes and moving time was 5 hours 1 minute.