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1.5 miles one way 5 Challenging An early map in the MTRP Visitor Center described the hike from Cowles Mountain summit to Pyles Peak as “difficult, with a minus 210 ft. elevation change.” This statement is reasonably accurate. Pyles Peak summit (1379’) is 212 feet below Cowles Mountain 1591' summit and is in fact a difficult and challenging hike. But as we’ll see in what follows, the ups and downs of this beautiful trail equate to much more than 212 feet! After the 1.5 mile climb to Cowles Mountain summit, a short walk to the Pyles Peak trailhead begins just a hundred feet short of the summit marker. A sign on the left turns you down some steps. Another left turn and a short 100 foot walk on the service road leads to the Pyles Peak trailhead sign. The first .5 miles of this spectacular trail drops through five switchbacks into a ravine bottoming at 1257 feet - a total descent of -334 feet. This is followed by a climb up six easy switchbacks (1372 feet) with an altitude gain of +115 feet. Along this ridge, a sign directs you east to an optional side trip of .4 miles up 44 feet vertical to a viewpoint overlooking the east county. At 1416 feet, it's 37feet higher than Pyles Peak. Back down to the main trail and a right turn into a shallow ravine (-45 feet), then a small rise followed by yet another descent (-185 feet) ending at another viewpoint. While there, check out the great views of Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center, downtown San Diego and on clear days, from Mexico to the north county. It is from here that the “assault of the summit” begins. Backtrack 50 feet from the overlook to the sign and the trail which follows nearly a straight line east up a steep .35 mile climb (226 feet vertical) to Pyles Peak’s 1,379 foot summit. The large chunk of granite at trails’ end marks the top. Congratulations, you’ve done it! Hiking gains and distance are as follows: Altitude gain (out and back) 916’ With upper viewpoint added 44’ Total 960’ Note: When planning this hike, take into account that the only access to the Pyles Peak trail is via Cowles Mountain summit, requiring a 1.5 mile 966 foot climb (and descent) in addition to the Pyles Peak hike. This results is a combined distance of nearly six miles and a total ascent (and descent) of nearly 2000 feet. instant online payday loans direct lender payday loan same day payday loan
This trail is reached from Cowles Mountain summit which can be accessed from four trail heads: Cowles Mountain Staging Area, Barker Way, Big Rock Park and Mesa Road.  
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