Hike the Highest Mountain In San Diego
Cowles Mountain and Mission Trails Regional Park: What You Need to Know
The summit of Cowles Mountain, the highest point in the City of San Diego. Inscription “Cowles Mountain- Elevation 1,591 Feet Above Sea Level-Mission Trails Regional Park- Cowles Mountain is the dominant feature of Mission Trails Regional Park and the highest point in the City of San Diego. It was named to honor George A. Cowles, a pioneer leaser of San Diego County in the 1870’s. This mountain was part of the Rancho Mission San Diego land grant. - Cowles Mountain was purchased jointly by the City and County of San Diego on December 31, 1974.- Dedicated October 1984- www.MTRP.org”
Cowles Mountain: The Highest Point in the City of San Diego
Cowles Mountain, located within Mission Trails Regional Park, stands as the highest point within the city limits of San Diego. The highest peak in the broader San Diego County, however, is Hot Springs Mountain.
How High Is Cowles Mountain?
- Plaque on the Peak: 1,591'
- Peakbagger.com: 1,590'
- ListsOfJohn.com: 1,591'
- SummitPost.com: 1,591'
The elevation figures are closely aligned across multiple sources.
Mission Trails Regional Park
Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) is a large urban park spanning over 8,000 acres in the eastern part of San Diego. The park features a wide range of trails, natural habitats, and historical sites. It includes five prominent peaks, with Cowles Mountain being the highest.
What are the five peaks of Mission Trails Regional Park?
- Cowles Mountain
- Pyles Peak
- Kwaay Paay
- South Fortuna
- North Fortuna
The 5 Peaks of Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego viewed from Santee, California.
Views from Cowles Mountain
Cowles isn’t among California’s tallest peaks, but it’s a rewarding urban hike in San Diego—accessible to many and offering panoramic views from a modest summit.
Guide to Hiking Mission Trails Regional Park via AllTrails
AllTrails provides detailed maps, reviews, and trail conditions for hikes throughout Mission Trails Regional Park. The widget below includes information on routes, distance, elevation, and user ratings for various trails within the park.
Use the interactive map above to explore different hiking options and find a trail that matches your experience level and interests.