C. Rasmussen 1 20 04
Turn south off Mission Gorge Rd. to the trailhead at the south end of Big Rock Rd. A short hike of .1 miles merges with an alternate trail that begans on Mesa Rd., just south of Chet Harritt School.
The merge of the two form the beginning of the main Big Rock trail.
Looking in the distance is Cowles Mtn. summit.

C. Rasmussen 1 20 04
Although mountain bikers don't particularly love them, railroad ties set at angles do a fantastic job of flood containment and diversion during rain storms. It's one of the reasons Big Rock trail is in such great condition.

C. Rasmussen 2 9 04
Steps on Big Rock trail? They're certainly not for when the going gets rough!

C. Rasmusssen 1 20 04
Big Rock trail .3 miles from its merge with Barker Way Service Rd.

C. Rasmussen 1 20 04
The end of the Big Rock Trail section of the climb to Cowles Mtn. summit. Turn right onto the Barker Way service road and up a short grade...and there it is!... Another 400' (vertical) of climbing and you're there.

Cowles Mountain from Big Rock Park
2.2 miles one way
5 Challenging

Of the four available accesses to Cowles Mountain summit, Big Rock trail probably has the lowest number of users. It has two trailheads, both off Mission Gorge Road in Santee. The most popular route begins by turning south off Mission Gorge Road onto Big Rock Road, following it to its end with on- street parking. The other - adding .3 miles to the hike - is off Mesa Road just south of Chet Harritt School.

Possibly because of its low usage - and over one hundred railway ties set for rain runoff diversion - Big Rock trail is in remarkably good condition. Starting from the end of Big Rock Road, follow the trailhead sign .1 miles, where a right turn joins up with the one beginning at Chet Harrett School. Continue past the merge of Mesa trail (.7 miles) and then climb .5 miles to its intersection with the Barker Way service road. Make a right turn onto the service road and hike - sometimes steep - .9 miles to Cowles Mountain summit.

Total distance to Cowles Mountain summit becomes 2.1 miles from Big Rock Road and 2.4 miles from Chet Harritt School. Total vertical elev. from Big Rock Road: 1,176’
BikingHiking

Habitats:

Cowles Mountain from Big Rock Park
From Route 52 - Take 52 to Mission Gorge Road in Santee. Turn west and proceed 0.4 miles to Mesa Road. Turn south onto Mesa Road and proceed 0.5 miles to the trail head. The trail head is on the right side of the road just past Big Rock Park.

From Route 125 - Take 125 north to Mission Gorge Road in Santee. Turn west and proceed 0.4 miles to Mesa Road. Turn south onto Mesa Road and proceed 0.5 miles to the trail head. The trail head is on the right side of the road just past Big Rock Park.

From Interstate 8 - Take 8 to the Mission Gorge/Fairmount exit. Turn north onto Mission Gorge Road. Proceed on Mission Gorge Road 7.5 miles to Mesa Road. Turn south onto Mesa Road and proceed 0.5 miles to the trail head. The trail head is on the right side of the road just past Big Rock Park.