Corte Madera Peak
Jan 8, 2022
Elevation: 4,633 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,713 ft
Total Distance: 7.1 miles

This hike was hands-down one of the top five most beautiful trails in San Diego county. A previously unknown and undiscovered treasure. The trail alternates between single track and fire road, but it’s gently graded and sometimes flattening out along short stretches. Make sure to wear long pants and long sleeves as the single track portions of the trail gets overgrown with chaparral, coastal sage scrub, manzanita, and the occasional yucca plant.

Halfway up the trail opens up to a huge boulder split in 2, with great views of the valley below, and multiple wind turbines lined up on a ridge off in the distance in Imperial County.

The trail will reach 2 junctions on the way to the summit, so just follow the signs crudely marked “CM” at each junction.

Continuing up past the 2nd junction the trail opens up again among more manzanita and chaparral until you reach the summit, with nothing to mark the peak other than a strongbox wedged in between 2 rocks. The views are spectacular!

Thanks @jeffhester for adding this hike to the 2022 #sandiegosixpackofpeaks (and removing potato chip rock ?)

Peak 1 / 6 of the San Diego #SixPackofPeaks challenge