How Long Is Mt Woodson Hike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Mount Woodson Trail is a difficult

6.4-mile

trail that offers up some wonderful views of Lake Poway and the surrounding area.

How long does it take to do Potato Chip Rock?

How long does it take to hike potato chip rock? The proper hike from the bottle of Lake Poway, the Poway Wilderness Picnic Area Trail is 8 miles, so it will take

3-4 hours

. If you take the back route, the hike is only 3.75 miles – in and out – or 5.5 miles as a loop.

Can you fall off Potato Chip Rock?

To get to the Potato Chip, you have to jump from one boulder to another. The only scary part was when other people were jumping onto it, and you can feel the vibrations of the rock. Seemed secure enough, but if it happened to break off,

at most you would only fall one and a half stories

.

How high is Mt Woodson?

2,901′

Is Iron Mountain hike hard?

Iron Mountain, in San Diego County, is one of the most popular hikes in the area.

Hiking to the summit is tough, but not extreme

, and once there, you can soak in panoramic views from the high mountains to the Pacific Ocean. The summit even has a viewfinder and picnic benches where you can relax.

Why is it called Potato Chip Rock?

The rock is thin and more than 7 feet long, and it looks as if it is about to fall.

The rock was used as an April Fools’ Day prank by Poway Mayor Steve Vaus in 2017

. In a tweet, he wrote that part of the rock had snapped off and fallen into Lake Poway below.

Can you hike Potato Chip Rock at night?


You’ll enjoy sweeping views of San Diego at night while enjoying the bright star-lit sky

. We will hike roughly 4 miles roundtrip to the summit of Mount Woodson and visit the world-famous Potato Chip Rock to capture some breathtaking photos to share with all your friends and family.

Where do you start Potato Chip Rock hike?

This hike, which is probably the most popular route to Potato Chip Rock, starts at the

Lake Poway park in Poway, CA

. The park has bathrooms, picnic tables, and plenty of parking. There’s a non-resident fee on weekends and holidays; on weekdays it’s usually free.

Are dogs allowed at Potato Chip Rock?

The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash

. A nice resting point with benches and great views. An interesting rock formation with beautiful views.

Can you swim at Three Sisters Falls?

Can you swim at Three Sisters Waterfall?

Yes, you can swim at the bottom of the falls

! In fact, I highly recommend taking a dip if you’re coming on a warmer day. I always hike 3 Sisters Waterfall during the winter, so the water is FREEZING.

Can you swim in Lake Poway?

Lake Poway is a domestic water supply reservoir so

there is no swimming, wading, or water contact

. Licensed dogs are permitted on a 6-foot leash at all times. Animals must stay 100 feet from the shoreline.

How long does an 8 mile hike take?

An 8 mile hike can easily take

4 to 7 hours

depending on the speed, terrain surface, pack weight, elevation gain, and the number of rest breaks you need to take. There are several variables that will determine your actual hiking time.

What mountain range is Mt Woodson in?

The bedrock beneath Woodson Mountain is part of one of the massive plutons of granite within the batholith that extends all along the core of the

Peninsular Ranges

. The Peninsular Ranges Batholith extends northward from Baja California into southern California near Los Angeles.

Can you walk around Lake Poway?


Lake Poway Loop Trail is 2.5 miles long and considered moderate difficulty

. The trail is half dirt fire road and half single track and has a few steep hills, but you have beautiful views of the lake for most of the hike! Big kids can complete this hike, but smaller kids should be carried.

How do you get on Potato Chip Rock?

How to Get There.

The hike to Potato Chip Rock is in Poway near Poway Lake

. It is 5 to 10 minutes off the freeway and it costs $10 to park on the weekends and holidays if you do not live in the city of Poway itself. Once you park in the top parking lot, the trailhead starts near the bathroom and wraps around the lake.

How long does it take to hike Iron Mountain Trail?

In total you gain just over a 1,000ft in elevation and the average hike time is approximately

1 hour 30 minutes to the top

. Once at the summit there are a few picnic tables and an observation telescope. Iron Mountain provides one of the best 360 degree views throughout the county.

Do you need a permit to hike Iron Mountain?


Self-issued day permit required

which can be found at the trailhead. Adventure Pass required for parking. Bring trekking poles for the steep sections. Bring LOTS of water.

How long of a hike is Iron Mountain?

Get to know this

5.9-mile

out-and-back trail near Poway, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 45 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and trail running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Is Ho Chi Minh trail open?

The trail is

open year-round

and is beautiful to visit anytime. Use extreme caution when on this trail. Many ledges are slippery and unsafe. This is a fairly technical trail that includes a lot of rock scrambling and maneuvering through rock canyons.

What kind of rock is Potato Chip Rock?

Potato Chip Rock is

a wafer-like prong of granodiorite

near the summit of 2,881-foot Mount Woodson, a boulder-strewn peak that looms east of Lake Poway. That body of water harbors the western trailhead for climbing the mountain along an 8-mile round-trip route.

What are Potato rocks?

If it looks like a potato, then it is not a meteorite. Really. People send me these pictures. These rocks are all just

glacial or river cobbles

.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.