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.
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.
You can find the Corte Madera trailhead about an hour east of San Diego, just south of I8.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
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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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.
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
The orange line is the out-and-back route to Corte Madera. The purple line is the optional extension to Los Pinos Mountain, easily done on the hike back down from Corte Madera.
Look for the trailhead across the street from the parking area.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.
Just past the sign the trail starts up the road to the left.The start of the hike, up Kernan Road, is mellow and shaded by huge oaks.After about 0.5 miles, look for the left turn for the Espinosa Trail.The Espinosa Trail is a gradual single track.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.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.
When you get to the large clearing, the smaller trail to Corte Madera is off to the left.There's another interpretive display about raptor nesting as you start hiking the single track.This section has the toughest uphills of the whole hike.At the end of the uphill you'll see the famous kissing boulders.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.
Here you are at the summit area!If you're lucky the the sign and summit register will be here. Unfortunately people steal these sometimes.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.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.
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
Hike up the fire road, which offers great views of Corte Madera.At about 0.8 miles past the last junction, make the left and continue uphill.Continue uphill on the fire road, passing other trails joining in and lots of Coulter Pines.Hike straight through the white gate and continue uphill.Pass through the final gate by the summit. The summit is open to foot traffic.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.
That's it everyone! I hope you enjoyed the hike!
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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!).