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    Mt Gower County Preserve

    4.7 (6 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    Marcus F.

    This may be a five star hike if you actually hike the 7.5 miles out-and-back to Mt. Gower. My family wanted no part of that on a hot August day so we chose a smaller trail in this preserve. Our trail was called the Western View Trail which is only 3 mile or so miles total. The trail wasn't the best in that the road was gravely and it wasn't the most picturesque. With the heat beaning down perhaps it was a bit too much. Recommendation - Unless you're a serious hiker, the Swartz Canyon Trail ( less than 2 miles total ) is you're best option especially with kids. - Lots of parking - Bathrooms

    Lookout point at the base of the peak (~3.5 miles from the trail head)
    Mark A.

    I can't believe more people don't know about this place - but I suppose the lack of crowds is part of the appeal. When I set out to hike the peak of Mount Gower, I couldn't find a whole lot of useful trail information. So, here it goes: Parking- There is a large lot if you follow Gunn Stage Rd all the way to the end and continue up the gravel road about .5 miles. Facilities- There is a restroom and water at the trail head Trail- Follow the main trail out of the parking area. After about a quarter mile the trail splits, stay to the right if you want to go to the peak. About a mile in, there is a trail that splits off to the right. This is just a vista point - we skipped it. The main trail will continue down into a drainage area, and then up towards the water tower. After the water tower you will continue up and down several rolling hills, until you cross over towards the base of Mt Gower. The main path continues up along the side of Mount Gower and ends at a beautiful vista point. To continue to the peak, it is pretty much a scramble up the last ~.5 miles. We followed a small path of foot prints from previous hikers up to the top. Distance- 7.7 miles r/t to the peak (according to my cell phone tracker) Difficulty- Moderate+, the length is probably the most difficult part of the hike. There are some steep uphill climbs, but they are usually short in duration.

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    Cedar Creek Falls - Cedar Creek Falls

    Cedar Creek Falls

    4.4(358 reviews)
    5.7 mi

    If you are a San Diego hiker and haven't done this hike- WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???…read more And for those of you who see these photos and think damn I need to go do that, please be aware of the temperature because it is dangerously hot down there at lower temperatures than in other areas. The hike goes down into a canyon and the heat settles down there. Even if it's not as hot as you think coming up can be extremely dangerous. Every year I hear about somebody dying from heat stroke on that hike so don't take it lightly. I always check the weather on the actual trail using the AllTrails app. I saw that the weather out there was max 65° that day and I was like hell yeah. The hike really isn't that difficult, 3 miles down and then 3 miles back up. Lots of nice switchbacks, and there are a few sun shelters for shade. The views are gorgeous all along the trail. I've done this hike, probably 20 times over the years. It's the best in the spring and in the fall. In the winter it's way too cold. The reward for this hike is the gorgeous rock bowl and waterfall that the locals call Devils Punchbowl. This past Thursday when we did this hike, there were a lot of young folks at the Punchbowl when we got there. Some of the guys were climbing up and jumping into the water. I would not recommend it, even if the waterfall is still flowing that water is not safe to swim in. In the fall, the waterfall doesn't flow anymore after being dried out over the brutal summer, but the trees at the bottom of the canyon turn a beautiful gold color. One of the few places in San Diego you can actually experience fall.

    Having lived in San Diego for so long, I honestly don't know why it took me this long to do this…read morehike. I finally got the permit online (definitely download it before you arrive since service can be spotty) and decided to go for it. I went in early May and started the trail around 8am, which turned out to be a great decision. The trail was practically empty at that time, and the downhill views were absolutely beautiful. I even saw two rattlesnakes before 9am, so definitely stay alert while hiking. At several points I had to remind myself I was still in San Diego and not somewhere in a huge national park. Once I got near the bottom, I did lose track of the trail a little and it was SOS, so having the AllTrails map downloaded beforehand was really helpful. It took me a little over an hour to reach the waterfall, and there were only two other people there at the time, which made it feel really peaceful and private. The water felt AMAZING after the hike down. There were so many fish in the water, and the whole area was honestly so pretty. By the time I started heading back around 10am, I noticed a lot more people arriving at the falls. The hike back up wasn't terrible, but the sun definitely makes it much harder on the return. I was very happy to make it back to the parking lot by around 11:30am. I would definitely bring lots of water, sunscreen, and some snacks.

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    Cedar Creek Falls - Cloud porn in the beginning of our hike!

    Cloud porn in the beginning of our hike!

    Cedar Creek Falls - Awesome day with one of my best girlfriends

    Awesome day with one of my best girlfriends

    Cedar Creek Falls - Morning frost

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    Morning frost

    Kumeyaay Trail

    Kumeyaay Trail

    4.0(1 review)
    15.7 mi

    The Kumeyaay Trail is a trail that hugs Lake Wohlford's North shore…read more Parking is free at the Lake Wohlford Ranger Station so just park and walk East to find the trail entrance. Note that the trail isn't marked very well, and you'll have to use trail intuition to find your way in the overgrown areas. The trail is mostly dirt, small boulders, and large flat smooth rocks. Expect mud and sand in some areas next to the lake. Not the best hike if you have bad knees. The actual hike was fun ( early spring after many large rainstorms). You'll walk by several Oak Trees and many wildflowers blooming. This is a birders paradise as many waterfowl make their homes here. It's about 4.5 miles there and back unless you are foolish and decided to walk around the ENTIRE LAKE.. That will make your hike 5.5 total. Note there is NO TRAIL to connect Kumeyaay to the South trails on the other side of the lake. Foolishness - So, once you walk to the end of the Kumeyaay Trail ( there is a private property gate) you might get the harebrained idea to cut through the swamp to get to the south side of the lake.. Okay, we did it ( with three kids).. There are a few things to know before deciding to cut across the mash to the other side.. Much of your hike will be through a large stinging nettle forest. If you're wearing shorts forget about going to the other side of the lake. If you have long pants / jeans you should be okay. Next you'll have to go through various reeds and muck. Then you'll have to cross a small stream about ten feet wide, a few feet deep.. You're going to get your shoes wet unless you're one hell of a long jumper. Finally, you'll have to ascend up a vertical cliff to get up to a road..One you're on the South Side of Lake Wohlford you still have a long way to hike to get back to your car. There is no shortcut and you'll have to walk along the busy Lake Wholford Rd for over a mile. Worth it?? Yeah it was pretty adventurous. - Tips I wouldn't kike this trail in the summer. There are soooo many places for rattlesnakes to hide.

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    Kumeyaay Trail - River to cross if you want to get to the other side of lake.

    River to cross if you want to get to the other side of lake.

    Kumeyaay Trail
    Kumeyaay Trail

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    Mt Gower County Preserve - hiking - Updated May 2026

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