100 Peaks: #9 Clevenger Canyon North Viewpoint
Title: Clevenger Canyon North Viewpoint
Elevation: 1,727’
Mileage: 6.17 Miles
Trailhead: Clevenger Canyon North Trail
Agency: City of San Diego Park and recreation Department
Date Hiked: 12/06/2024
12/06/2024
With my workweek wrapped up by midday Friday, I had a rare free afternoon to tackle another peak in my 100 Peaks journey. After scanning the 100 Peaks map, I landed on Clevenger Canyon a trail just 30 minutes away in the San Pasqual Valley, not far from the Safari Park.
This particular trail, stretching just over 6 miles with a manageable 1,500 feet of elevation gain, offered a fresh perspective—I had never climbed this side of the mountain or ventured this far into the valley.
True to its slightly remote location, I didn’t encounter a single hiker along the way. The solitude made for a peaceful and uninterrupted exploration of the San Pasqual backcountry—a perfect way to end the week.
The Way Up (0 - 3 Miles)
I arrived at the trailhead around 1 PM, strapped on my hydration vest, did a final gear check, and set off to explore this new trail.
The trail begins tucked between two large boulders, quickly descending into the valley before leading into the climb. The first quarter-mile winds through rocky formations marked with graffiti, casting shadows that obscure the trail and create an eerie sense of being watched from multiple directions. I moved through this stretch quickly, eager to leave the graffiti behind and focus on the ascent.
From there, the trail transformed into a winding single track, well-marked and weaving up the hillside. The next two miles tested my patience with a series of false summits, each one teasing the peak.
Finally, around mile two, the first reward came into view—a stunning panorama of San Pasqual Valley stretching in both directions. The golden hues of the valley below contrasted beautifully with the rugged terrain around me, making the climb feel worthwhile.
The final mile kept climbing, cutting through dense green brush and hugging the mountainside. When I reached the peak, however, it wasn’t quite what I had hoped for. The views were limited, and the scenery lacked the dramatic payoff I’d seen on other peaks during this journey. After a quick pause to soak in what I could, I turned around and made my way back down the trail.
The Return Leg (3-6 Miles)
The journey back to the car was fairly uneventful. I had felt drained on the climb up, mostly due to some poor planning—it was well past lunchtime, and I hadn’t eaten anything before setting out.
Thankfully, the downhill stretch gave me a chance to pick up the pace, enjoy a refreshing breeze, and finally dig into a few of the snacks I had stashed in my vest. The views on the way back were enough to make me pause a couple of times, but with the afternoon fading fast and the sun dipping lower in the sky, I was ready to wrap up this hike.
Clevenger Canyon was a worthwhile experience—maybe not one I’d revisit in my free time, but I’m glad to have explored this side of the hill and checked another peak off the list.
Until next time on this peak-bagging journey…
