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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
We had originally planned to hike High Point, but upon arrival we learned that the forest service closure for Cleveland National Forest had been extended.
We had originally planned to hike High Point, but upon arrival we learned that the forest service closure for Cleveland National Forest had been extended.
Sunrise hike to Mt. Woodson and Potato Chip 5.8 mi loop. Then 2nd look at Woodson from Iron Mtn.
Completed San Diego 6-pack with High Point!! Long hike, but a good one (much more comfortable than El Cajon). Started at about 6:30. Cool and
Hi y’all! My family and I arrived at the trailhead at 7am. There were a few hikers already parked at the trail but it wasn’t
It was a perfect day for a hike. My friend, Cindy, and I started early. We saw few people until we were on our way
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