I’m pretty impulsive.
In case you didn’t get that from the time I ran away and got married…
Yesterday I decided I didn’t want to go to the gym and would instead go for a hike. Not so impulsive… except that it was already getting late, it’s been in the 80s here, the previous day was leg day, and I’m still supposed to be rehabbing my ankle from my PRP treatment.
No matter. At 3 pm I headed out to Cowles Mountain. It’s only about a 20 minute drive inland… but that resulted in a 10 degree difference in temperature. It was 91 degrees when I started the hike.
The gorgeous blue sky and visible midday moon was a nice distraction from the heat.
I’m not completely insane. It’s only a 1.5 mile hike up the mountain and the temperature drops pretty quickly as the sun goes down, so I knew I wasn’t going to die.
The top of Cowles is the highest point in the city of San Diego at 1,592 feet. So, despite being short, the trek up is relatively challenging due to the incline. I tried to jog the flatter spots (it’s mostly uphill), but there were several areas too steep and rocky for me.
The view from the top is incredible! There are maps pointing out the surrounding peaks, valleys, ocean, and a couple of points in Mexico.
After resting for a moment, it had cooled down and I was ready for more. I walked around a bit and saw a sign for an adjacent 2 mile trail to Pyle’s Peak. I didn’t know anything about the trail or how much time 2 miles would take (it was already 4 pm), so I decided to go half way to check it out for the next trip.
Pyle’s was fantastic! The first part of the trail is downhill and fairly shaded, so it’s easy to jog or walk while recovering from the Cowles climb. There’s a lot of plant life, unlike the mostly rocky hike up Cowles. A nice change of scenery! I decided to turn back after a mile due to the time of day, but I’ll go to the peak next time for sure.
Summary:
- It took me 30 mins to go 1.5 miles to the top of Cowles and 15 mins to get down (I mostly jogged down)
- I didn’t time the Pyle’s trek, but it was much faster
- If you’re looking for the Pyle’s Peak trail, go towards the radio tower once you’re at the top of Cowles and you’ll see a sign for the trail to your left (it’s another 4 miles, round trip)
- The view from the top is awesome – I’ll definitely go again
- Bonus: parking is free!
Now for the food. Read on for my day of eats, and join in Jenn’s WIAW baby over at Arman’s today!
Breakfast:
I had my usual morning cocktail and sludge while I rushed around after waking up late.
Breakfast was a new experiment – a Japanese sweet potato hash topped with #yolkporn. Recipe coming – I think Friday. Obviously I forgot to write any measurements while cooking this… doh.
Snack 1:
I wasn’t sure if I was hiking or going to the gym… so I just had a snack instead.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BB3PlgWmjXD/
Snack 2:
Decided on hiking, but didn’t want a meal. Sooooo… I did some pre-hiking cooling down with my favorite chocolate-beet protein smoothie bowl. Topped with raspberries and cacao nibs.
Dinner:
I was starving. I met an old friend for dinner and beers at The Brew Project. I had a Southwest salad and added BBQ pulled pork. I love their salads – it’s not just a bowl of lettuce with a few tomatoes. This one had roasted poblano peppers, pickled radish and red onion, cotija cheese, corn, beans, and peptias.
I also love their beers. They only carry beers brewed in San Diego County. My choice for the evening was Modern Times’ City of the Sun IPA. I love this beer – it’s the perfect mix of citrus, tropical fruit, and a little pine.
Annnnnnd and 90 degree day called for a Pinkberry dessert.
Peanut butter-chocolate hazelnut swirl fro-yo with various toppings, including a handcrafted marshmallow toasted right there in front of me.
[Tweet “A 90 degree hike in Feb?! Check out this Cowles Mountain trek and a day of eats!”]
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Hiking is awesome. But that, combined with a leg day… I feel broken right now.
Are you impulsive?
Do you like to hike? I used to do Stone Mountain in Atlanta all the time.
I’ve hiked Stone Mountain a couple times and loved that hike but my all time favorite would be hiking in the redwoods last May- the trees are just unbelieveable!
I want to get up there SO badly! It looks stunning!
90 degrees??? Please….transport me there!!
Hiking is such a fun form of exercise!:))))
For sure! I love getting out of the gym sometimes!
I haven’t had pinkberry in ages. And that marshmallow? It’s enough to have be searching for the nearest one.
For sure worth a trip! If you like PB, definitely try that one.
That looks like such a fun day! I haven’t been hiking in years.
So we randomly went to SD on Sunday evening (it was a surprise for me – otherwise I totally would have told you) and we ate at the WORST FING RESTAURANT EVER!!! I wrote a horrible review for it on Yelp, lol! So um, I have a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to SD restaurants right now.
You need to change that.
I might be coming next Monday (aka; THIS COMING ONE) to visit a bunch of wedding venues and to avoid traffic, we might just stay down there til like 8pm… If that’s the case, I will HIT YOU UP!
Say what?! How is there bad food in SD??? Where was it? I must know.
One of these day we WILL meet up.
Ugh it was in the Italian food area….
This shit: http://www.yelp.com/biz/princess-pub-and-grille-san-diego?hrid=ninT3eXuN0Bt4aqvveO7kw&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
Ohhhh… I hate the place. I wish I’d known. Literally EVERYTHING else in that neighborhood rocks.
P.S. I can literally walk there.
Um lose the pork, and I would totally house that salad, although I’ll leave the hiking to you right now. These days, I get winded climbing stairs (and I mean just one flight).
Well, I had to add the pork so you could have it nice a piggy free. I’ll hike extra for you!
Great eats! Such a great treat after hiking. I have been making myself a short list for hikes around here…There’s not many.
What delicious eats! Glad you enjoyed your hike, I live in Florida and our weather has been glorious as well 🙂 Love it!
The hike sounds awesome – would totally join you if I could! As long as it ended with pinkberry – the best post workout fuel, well along with that pork of course!
Hiking sure is the one thing I miss about Scotland!
WOW! I love that you have access to such great hiking!! As soon as we get some snowmelt around here I vow to hit the trails more!!
We’re pretty lucky! It’s not as epic as Colorado hikes, but doesn’t suck either!
91 degrees?! Ugh. So jealous. It’s snowing here in Paris today! I know I shouldn’t complain too much though, because Paris.
Pinkberry is always a good idea, but they definitely don’t do toasted marshmallows in London!
Right. Paris. 😛
What an awesome hike!!!!!
so… do you think I can join this marriage? Um, you all have the life. I’ll cook. Or help cook.
😉
p.s it’s so hot already. I’m scccccaaaarrred
We might need to move to Utah… 😉
Yeaaa girl, you know how I love going on hikes around here! I used to do Cowles more often when I lived down that way. Was it super crowded? I think it’s one of the most heavily trafficked hikes in SD, and on the weekends it get crazy. It’s like an assembly line of hikers on the trail! Ha. PS – That froyo looks heavenly!
It wasn’t crowded in the middle of the week, but when I went back with friends last weekend it was nuts! The second peak, Pyle’s, was almost deserted though.