100 Peaks: #8 Palomar Mountain High Point
Title: Palomar Mountain High Point Lookout
Elevation: 6,143’
Mileage: 13.1 Miles
Trailhead: Oak Grove Trailhead
Agency: Cleveland National Forest
Date Hiked: 11/30/2024
11/30/2024
For my next adventure, I looked through the list of 100 Peaks and chose one relatively close—about an hour’s drive—but new to me: Palomar Mountain High Point. This trail, a little over 13 miles round trip, offers a mix of beautiful, well-maintained paths and stunning 360-degree views from the summit.
What stood out most about this hike was how remote it felt. It’s tucked away in the mountains, and I barely saw anyone else the entire time. For much of the journey, it felt like I had Palomar Mountain all to myself!
The Journey
Miles 0 - 2: Oak Grove Single Track Trail to Oak Grove Truck Trail
I decided this hike would be more about exploring a new trail and less about speed—so I brought along my adventure buddy, Polly. We left the house at 5:30 AM, arriving at the Oak Grove Trailhead an hour later. The empty parking lot (and free parking!) was a promising start to the day.
Polly, eager as ever, led the way as we started along the single-track Oak Grove Trail. This first section weaves through a peaceful little valley before climbing up to meet the wider Oak Grove Truck Trail. It’s the only single track of the day, but it set the tone perfectly for what was ahead.
Miles 2 - 6.5: Fire Roads and Forest to the Summit
With no other hikers or cars in sight, I decided to let Polly off-leash to enjoy the trail freely. The next few miles were pure bliss—cool mountain air, the sun just starting to peek through, and Polly trotting happily beside me as we jogged sections of the fire road.
As we climbed higher, the dense forest began to thin, revealing sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. By the time we reached the peak, the Watchtower was in sight, marking the final stretch to the summit.
At the top, Polly and I were greeted by two friendly rangers stationed in the lookout tower. We took a well-earned break—snacks, water, and plenty of photos—before starting the 6-mile descent back to the trailhead.
Miles 6.5 - 13: A Tired but Happy Descent
As expected, Polly began to tire on the way down. She’s an active dog, but 13 miles at 6,000 feet isn’t a typical weekend for her. We took it slow, enjoying the mix of shaded stretches and open fire road.
We passed only four other hikers on the descent, about two miles from the trailhead. For most of the day, it truly felt like we had the entire mountain to ourselves.
Back at the car, Polly immediately claimed her spot for a well-deserved rest. It was a tough climb, but the perfect way to spend a crisp, clear Saturday in the mountains.
Reflecting on Peak #8
Palomar Mountain High Point was a beautiful challenge and an incredible experience. It’s the kind of hike I’d happily do again, with its combination of peaceful trails, panoramic views, and that rewarding feeling of being somewhere few others venture.
This marks peak #8 on my journey to summit all 100 peaks in San Diego County. Here’s to many more adventures in the hills to come!
