Josh and I needed to blow off some steam after work, so we cut out early and headed up Kwaay Paay Peak in Mission Trails Regional Park. Kwaay Paay is the fourth highest peak in Mission Trails gaining 865 feet in 1.1 miles. We parked off Mission Gorge road and made our way to the trail head.
The hike is billed as strenuous and lives up to it's name with the typical So. Cal. clay soil wash out over steep grades. There are several points where trail crews have built sand bags into the hill side to give you somewhere to step.
Following the initial steep climb the trail levels out a bit providing views of Santee and the San Diego mountains.
We arrive at a plateau and see our next mission in the distance, the final push for the summit. Even at this height the views of El Capitan (also known as El Cajon Mountain) are incredible.
At the top we are sweaty and satisfied with the short hike that gives a great workout. In the distance we can see the marine layer hanging over Point Loma, the Coronado Bridge and Downtown.
We hung out for a bit, scoping out the layout of the other peaks in the area. We are planning to do the 5 peak challenge when the weather cools. The five peak challenge consists of North Fortuna, South Fortuna, Kwaay Paay, Cowles and Pyles Peaks in succession via cross country routes in one day.
You know I love the multipeak hikes!
As we approached the truck we spotted a Tarantula who looked a little worse for wear. We left him to his fate and headed out for dinner.
Kwaay Paay was a great little 2.2 mile hike with a fraction of the crowds on Cowles.
We will definitely do it again!
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