The Mission Trails 5 Peak cChallenge is for hikers and trail runners to visit all 5 peaks within MTRP using established park trails. In this guide I will walk through how I completed the challenge in one day.
This hike offers solitude, a trail that parallels running water (seasonal), and the chance to bag two peaks in quick succession. The views of the greater San Diego area from these two peaks is pretty amazing.
Kwaay Paay Peak is probably the least renowned of the five peaks in Mission Trails Regional Park. The trip to the summit is only 1.2 miles with just under 900 feet of elevation gained, and offers amazing views of the nearby South and North Fortuna summits.
At 1,592ft, Cowles Mountain is the highest peak in the city of San Diego. The hike to the summit of Cowles is possibly the most popular hiking route in all of San Diego County, which makes an early start a requirement for weekend outings. Hiking to the nearby Pyles Peak is far less popular, and the perfect addition to a hike up Cowles.