Corte Madera Mountain Hike

7 miles - Moderate Effort
Or: 11 miles with Los Pinos Fire Tower
3-4 Hours (Total)
Expect to See Some Other Hikers
1,600 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 4,657 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

Nestled in San Diego's backcountry is Corte Madera, a 500-foot sheer cliff face known as “San Diego's Half Dome.” In this guide, I'll show you how to hike to the top: no cables or scary parts included. I'll also include a side trip to Los Pinos Mountain, home to a fire tower since 1925. The hike has some uphill sections but is doable for almost everyone.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn By Turn Directions
How to Get to the Trailhead
What to Watch Out For & Insider Tips

Quick Links: Cleveland National Forest - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Sep 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Where is Corte Madera Mountain?

There's no official parking lot for Corte Madera Mountain, but there is a sand parking lot on the side of the road. The drive there includes some small roads will potholes, but it is doable by all cars. Expect to go slower in the last couple of miles to the trailhead.

The location of the trailhead is in Campo, CA, at 32.736174, -116.555995, and there is a Google Maps address that has popped up too. You'll see signs for the nearby Coral Canyon OHV Area.

Corte Madera Hike Location — You can find the Corte Madera trailhead about an hour east of San Diego, just south of I8.

Corte Madera Parking Lot — There's a small sandy parking area next to the start of the hike. There are no facilities, and no parking pass is required.

Gear For the Hike

Corte Madera Overgrown Trail — Wear long sleeves and long pants if you have a problem with shrubs brushing against you. There are only some short sections like this, and most folks will be fine with whatever they usually wear.

If you're unfamiliar with the San Diego backcountry, summers can be scorching, and winters can be below freezing. The best season for this hike is in the winter when the temperatures are cooler, and the plants are green.

Corte Madera is a backcountry hike, and you should pack the essentials. Generally, 2L of water works well, as do trail runners and trekking poles. Cellular service is sketchy, so bring your satellite communicator.

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Corte Madera Trail Maps

In this guide, I'll show you how to hike to Corte Madera and then add a side trip to the fire tower at Los Pinos Mountain. Including the Los Pinos extension adds about 4 miles to the total distance.

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Elevation Profile

This is an uphill hike, but the gradient is easy for most of the way. There are some short steeper sections, but nothing too extreme.

3D Map

Corte Madera Hike Directions

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Corte Madera Hike Directions 3 — There's an interpretive display about nesting raptors on the cliff face of Corte Madera.

The cliff face of Corte Madera can be closed during nesting season. This mainly affects climbers, but it's worth checking the closure alerts before you leave just in case.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 1 — Just past the sign the trail starts up the road to the left.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 4 — The start of the hike, up Kernan Road, is mellow and shaded by huge oaks.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 5 — After about 0.5 miles, look for the left turn for the Espinosa Trail.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 6 — The Espinosa Trail is a gradual single track.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 7 — At about 1.5 miles you'll come to the big intersection. You'll get your first postcard-perfect views of Corte Madera here. Make the right up Los Pinos Road.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 8 — Pass the Coulter Pines up Los Pinos Road.

Corte Madera means "woodyard." The early Spanish settlers used this area to fell lumber to build the Mission San Diego. As you start hiking up Los Pinos road, you'll start to see the Coutler Pines that they used.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 9 — When you get to the large clearing, the smaller trail to Corte Madera is off to the left.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 10 — There's another interpretive display about raptor nesting as you start hiking the single track.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 11 — This section has the toughest uphills of the whole hike.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 12 — At the end of the uphill you'll see the famous kissing boulders.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 13 — After the kissing boulders you have a rolling section with lots of ups and downs.

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.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 14 — Here you are at the summit area!

Corte Madera Hike Directions 15 — If you're lucky the the sign and summit register will be here. Unfortunately people steal these sometimes.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 17 — In the distance you'll see quite a few peaks, including Tecate Peak, on the border with Mexico. The peaks past Tecate are in Mexico.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 16 — And the closest peak is Los Pinos Mountain. I'll show you how to get there next.

From the summit, head back down to the big intersection by the Espinosa Trail and Los Pinos Road.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 18 — If you want to finish up the hike, simply make the left and go back down the Espinosa Trail the way you came up. Otherwise, take the road straight.

Los Pinos Mountain Hike Extension

Corte Madera Hike Directions 19 — Hike up the fire road, which offers great views of Corte Madera.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 20 — At about 0.8 miles past the last junction, make the left and continue uphill.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 21 — Continue uphill on the fire road, passing other trails joining in and lots of Coulter Pines.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 22 — Hike straight through the white gate and continue uphill.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 23 — Pass through the final gate by the summit. The summit is open to foot traffic.

Corte Madera Hike Directions 24 — And here you are on Los Pinos Mountain! Usually the tower is open to visitors, and you can explore the summit area, enjoying the views.

From Los Pinos Mountain, just go back the way you came to the Espinosa Trail and then back down that to the start.

Cris Hazzard Corte Madera — That's it everyone! I hope you enjoyed the hike!

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).

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