Scrambling Up Corte Madera's Towering Peaks
Heyy there, adventurer! Ready to climb San Diego's very own Half Dome, Corte Madera Mountain? Follow my guide on this bad boy — no cables or scary parts involved. I'll also toss in a side trip to the fire tower at Los Pinos Mountain for good measure. While it's not for the faint of heart, this hike is doable for almost anyone.
Where y'all gotta go?
There ain't no fancy schmancy parking lot for Corte Madera Mountain, but you'll find a sandy one on the side of the road. The drive there's got some bumps and potholes (nothing aładług Subaru can't handle), but you should take it slow in the last couple of miles to the trailhead. The spot is in Campo, CA, designated by GPS coordinates: 32.736174, -116.555995 and a Google Maps address. You'll see signs for Coral Canyon OHV Area — you're in the right place, partner.
Gear y'all gonna need:
San Diego backcountry can get toasty in the summer, and cold as ice in winter. Best to hike in the winter when it's cooler and the plants are green. Pack some water, trail runners, and trekking poles, and make sure to bring your satellite communicator. Cell signal's a bit flaky, especially in these parts.
Hike, Line, and Sinker:
Osprey Hikelite 26 - My go-to daypack. Light, tough, and keeps my back dry with the trampoline mesh.
In this guide, I'll walk you through hiking to Corte Madera and tackling the Los Pinos Mountain fire tower as a bonus. Adding the Los Pinos extension adds about 4 miles to the total hike.
Map it out:
Norda 001 - Like a monster truck and a comfy pillow had a featherweight baby, for your feet.
Now that's all settled, do remember that the cliff face of Corte Madera can be closed during nesting season, mainly affecting climbers. Always check the closure alerts before you roll out.
Let's lumber:
Garmin inReach Mini 2 - When I need 100% reliable SOS coverage, this is what I take in the backountry.
Corte Madera's Native American name means "woodyard." As you start hiking up Los Pinos road, you'll see the courtler pines that the early Spanish settlers used to fell lumber to build the Mission San Diego de Alcalá. As you approach the summit, you'll see several spots used by others for backcountry camping. If you'd like to camp, you'll need to get a backcountry permit from the park service.
Hike it back:
AllTrails Plus - (30% off link) Up-to-date trip reports. Plus adds offline maps, off-trail alerts, and Garmin sync.
Once you've soaked in the views, head back down to the big intersection by the Espinosa Trail and Los Pinos Road. Now, if you're feeling reinforced, you can take a detour to Los Pinos Mountain by going back to Espinosa Trail and then back down to the start.
Pro Tip:
Corte Madera Mountain and Los Pinos Mountain are part of local peak challenges, so if you conquer these peaks, you'll be the talk of the town (or at least, the trail). Hike, party, and enjoy!
Hiking Gear Affair:
Check out my Top Gear Picks page for recommendations on what gear to use for this hike — it might just make life a bit easier. Happy trails!
- The trailhead for Corte Madera Mountain can be found at the Campo, CA location marked by GPS coordinates: 32.736174, -116.555995 and a Google Maps address.
- Essential gear for this hike includes a daypack like the Osprey Hikelite 26, water, trail runners, trekking poles, a satellite communicator, and appropriate hiking footwear such as the Norda 001.
- It is important to check for any Corte Madera Mountain cliff face closure alerts during the nesting season, which will primarily affect climbers.
- Backcountry camping permits must be obtained from the park service for any designated spots near the summit of Corte Madera Mountain.
