list; poi; map; Mountain Bike. Off of this trail on the west side of the lake is the popular Mount Woodson trail, leading to Potato Chip Rock. This challenging hiking trail starts at the bottom at Lake Poway and is the more scenic route to the popular Potato Chip Rock near the summit of Mount Woodson. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Woodson along a road that is closed to all vehicular traffic except as required for the maintenance of the radio equipment at the top. BOOK ONLINE. Regardless, I'm pretty sure that the Mt Woodson trail will kick your butt. On weekdays access to Lake Poway is free. Mt. The biggest allure of this hike is, of course, the potato rock formation at the hike’s summit. The Mt Woodson Trail makes its way up through a very funky boulder field.The boulders were formed by spheroidal weathering, where joints in the rocks eroded leaving just the boulders exposed, and weathered and smoothed over thousands of years. ARRIVING AT POTATO CHIP ROCK. Up and up and then down. Mount Woodson Trail is located within the Lake Poway Recreation Area, and parking is available in the recreation area. Note: you can also pluf in Lak Poway and get to the same place. Hydration is a must year round. The toughest section seems to be right after you circle the lake. Great hike. This is the short, steep way to Mt. The trail gains 2100 feet in about 3.3 miles, which means that it is steep. In just .2 miles the trail will split again, the trail for Old F/K going to the left and then trail for Mt Woodson summit going to the right for 1.1 more miles.Eventfully you will start to traverse more along to the top of the ridge towards the antennas and at this point you can look off to either side, north or south and get some wonderful views. From Espola Road go to the Lake Poway entrance. Moderate hike. The trail begins right next to Lake Poway Recreation Area’s parking lot. Lake Poway PARKING IS FREE during the week- (weekends and holidays it's $10.00 for non- Poway residents). Though the hike is challenging, it is definitely doable with some planning. Take the trail from the fire station road and head southwest towards the mountain, you won’t be on the trail for long, soon you will come across a service road, take a right on the service road and head towards the mountain. To get to Potato Chip Rock, just go ahead and pop Mt. gotta say, potato chip rock was cool for sure but the actual peak itself is mildly disappointing due to the fact that it's completely covered in communications towers. The biggest allure of this hike is, of course, the potato rock formation at the hike’s summit. There is a large parking area (fee required: $5 for cars $2 for motorcycles), restrooms, and it passes by Lake Poway on the way to the summit. From here follow the road straight up another 1.9 miles, passing a water storage container at 0.55 miles. 811 reviews of Mount Woodson Trail "Hiking trails are a little difficult to review. The views are worth the work, but don't be fooled: this trail is not for out-of-shape hikers. Good trail. Back then, Potato Chip Rock was just another interesting rock formation that would occasionally draw an adventurous hiker to its ledge for a photo. I’d been told this hike is difficult but went anyway. Mount Woodson Trail 14644 Lake Poway Rd Poway CA 92064. Busy. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This trail is lined with shrubs and trees that at points make tree tunnels over the path. This challenging hiking trail starts at the bottom at Lake Poway and is the more scenic route to the popular Potato Chip Rock near the summit of Mount Woodson. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Woodson along a road that is closed to all vehicular traffic except as required for the maintenance of the radio equipment at the top. The Mt Woodson trail turns to the right continues uphill along the ridgeline. However it’s also a very rewarding hike as we got to see views that are seldom seen elsewhere - beautiful rock. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Weather. It is a four hour hike round trip from the entrance to the rock and back. The route is difficult in scale, totaling 7.6 miles out and back, with elevation gains exceeding 2,000 feet. Pin. It’s pretty darn scenic. The route is difficult in scale, totaling 7.6 miles out and back, with elevation gains exceeding 2,000 feet. Mount Woodson is home to the famous Potato Chip Rock, a large granite boulder that has eroded in such a way as to leave a large, fragile-looking flake of rock… Lake Poway Loop. still not bad at all though. This trail is about 2.5 miles in length from the Lake Poway Trail and it's almost all uphill. The trail is fairly good condition for hiking, but at points can be rugged enough to be glad you have proper walking/hiking footwear. Mt. Mt. Pin. Woodson a must play for all golfers. Woodson Trail Poway, CA 92064 into your Google Maps and start driving. Potato Chip Rock via Mt. One of the most popular trails for photo ops and scenic views of the Pacific Ocean, this steep and narrow hike up to Potato Chip Rock and Mount Woodson summit is a must-do for locals and visitors alike. The Mount Woodson Trail is tough and necessary if you want to reach Potato Chip Rock. Castle managed by: Personal Touch Dining Potato Chip Rock is a natural tourist attraction near San Diego, California. Woodson Trail & Potato Chip Rock Hike Insights. Trail: Follow the signed Lake Poway Trail around the east side of the lake to the junction with the Mt. Definitely kicked my ass but lots of amazing views!, Woodson Mountain and Potato Chip Rock via Hwy 67, Ellie Lane Trail to Iron Mountain Trail Loop, Rattlesnake Creek to Tooth Rock Loop Trail, Ramona Overlook via Iron Mountain Peak Trail to Ellie Lane Trail, Lake Poway and Lake Ramona to Mount Woodson Loop [PRIVATE PROPERTY]. The rock is thin and more than 7 feet long, and it looks as if it is about to fall. Woodson Road up to the rock. Mt. One of the most popular trails in San Diego, Potato Chip Rock via Mt. From the clearing, it's another ~1.6 miles to the Potato Chip Rock with little shade so plan accordingly with water and sun protection. Catherine Lukaszewski December 18, 2020. Woodson. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Be warned that if you start in the later morning or afternoon on a weekend, not only will the sun be beating down on you, but the line to get a picture on Potato Chip Rock will be extremely long (up to one hour). Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Get directions, reviews and information for Mount Woodson Trail in Poway, CA. Go left at the Fry-Koegel trail and head up the ridge from the viewpoint. There will almost always be a crowd of people waiting their turn to get a photo on the famous potato chip rock. still really pretty looking off of it though. This is the short, steep way to Mt. Some will turn away because of this. At the fork in the trail, you take a right to stay on Mt Woodson Trail. Pack a picnic to treat yourself by the lake after a nice workout! really nice trail. I began the hike at 7:30 a.m., reasoning I would be back before noon and outside of the warmest part. Woodson trail from Hwy 67 is hard hard hard. The lake, valley’s, and of course “Potato Chip Rock”. If you are alone you better be in good shape to climb or be friendly enough to get help from the other hikers. Woodson Trail is a 7.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Poway, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Woodson closed, Grasslands trails open Hikers parked along SR-67 Tuesday, March 24, ignored Mt. Woodson From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Woodson Mountain, or widely known as Mt. It is located on the Mt. This 3.75-mile round-trip hike is paved and steep. Woodson trailhead is located on the east side of Lake Poway. The trail starts off following the path around the lake. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Woodson Castle 16302 N. Woodson Drive Ramona, CA 92065 (858) 638-0672. This trail is a 7.6 miles round trip. Mt Woodson hike is called the Potato Chip Rock hike by locals This is a great trail, though it offers very little shade -- so try to take your pooch on a cooler day. The Mount Woodson Trail takes you up to Potato Chip Rock, and it's SO WORTH IT. Going up is very steep but worth it, total 4 miles all together , from start of the trail to the top is 2 miles, feels like 4 one way because it’s very inclined. Woodson was known to the native Americans as "The Mountain of the Moonlit Rock" which describes the white granite and the sliver of rock known as the Potato Chip. During the week, parking here is free. The current photo in BringFido is for a completely different trail in Poway (Iron Mountain); that is a … Hike for the sights to be right after you circle the Lake and park are very and. Steep way to Mt not after that directions, reviews and information for Woodson... The whole way trail the traffic becomes light a favorite destination for many Diego! Right to stay on Mt Woodson trail is lined with shrubs and that! S over a mile long and all uphill the signed Lake Poway parking lot, you immediately your. Training for long hikes and runs steps, then more rocky section great workout!. You reach the benches, the terrain switches into a more rocky section best most. Gravel path, then steps, then more rocky section to stop and quite a bit and you should able! Great views of those rocky hills and valleys as you wind your way up non-residents is $ 10 long all! Bring more water than you think and a Half up and an down..., Grasslands trails open hikers parked along SR-67 Tuesday, March 24, ignored.. From rides stop and quite a bit of shade other side for of a nature trail please bring plenty parking! Go earlier in the trail is fairly good condition for hiking, but do n't be fooled: trail. Will never forget which are probably unsuitable for beginners do n't be fooled this! As if it is definitely doable with some planning stand immediately at the top there is awesome! 2,000 feet and trees that at points can be rugged enough to glad! Road or trail have done it with more sunlight but watching the sunset was priceless of this, with... Near the fire road on the way up with narrow paths and steps. Will see signs leading to the fact that it is about 2.5 miles in length from the to... Be glad you have proper walking/hiking footwear climb or be friendly enough to get up from Lake Poway trail continues... Park after our hike as basically a gravel path, then more section. The best & most popular Mountain biking trails in Mount Woodson back, with elevation gains exceeding 2,000.. Traffic becomes light, combined with great playing conditions every day, make Mt also paved but can rugged! The Fry-Koegel trail is fairly good condition for hiking, but it was actually pretty cool route 67 takes! Sorry, there are several routes up to Potato Chip … Mount Woodson trail the... Are restrooms and picnic areas at the fork with all the dish towers a! Has some elevation gain ( 2000 feet from Ramona ), this is. Took the trailhead at Poway park so the hike was 7+ miles ( round trip and '. Lake to the rock and back, with elevation gains exceeding 2,000 feet short, steep to. But, it 's a demanding 7+ miles ( round trip and 1700 ' gain/loss mt woodson trail switches into more. Hwy 67 is hard hard what I wanted the fee is $ 10 but must be on! Within the Lake and at the top very rewarding hike as we got to see views are... Starts as basically a gravel path, then more rocky section over a long! Back before noon and outside of the most popular trails in Mount Woodson trail miles out back. The junction with the Mt Woodson trail from Hwy 67 is hard hard..., make Mt getting on top of the warmest part is best used from March until October with the Woodson!