A Mission Trails 4 Peak Challenge : Cowles Mountain, Kwaypaay, South Fortuna and North Fortuna
I would be hiking through Mission Trail Regional Park, to four peaks in one day. This expansive park is actually one of the largest in the entire country. It is over 8000 acres and the area has history going back over 10,000 years. It is the site of an old dam, and granite was mined here. What is left of the old dam still stands today. There are 60 miles of trails, a lake, a campground, and a nature center here.
I was hiking with a group of women today, who love big hikes and peak challenges. This would be just such a challenge. The idea started out as 5 peaks, and grew to 10 peaks. No woman would be left behind on this hike today!
Being in a healing state the last few months, I could only do today. Everyone was hiking their own hike. Some were up for the whole 10 peaks. Others were only hiking to some of the peaks. I would be out of breath the whole way trying to keep up with a fast pace, but it was going to be awesome!
I was not even sure the night before if I was up for this. I had not been feeling well. The last few months were filled with struggles with puzzling health issues, one lacking a specific cause. That happens in life. I just kept praying, having faith the Lord will restore me to health. I hoped to stay on track, and experience miraculous healing.
“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”
– Psalm 23:3
An Early Start
I awoke at 3:30 am, which is much earlier than I usually ever get up to hike. It was just way too early for me, and most people. But I was not hiking with “most people,” today, and that is ok. Despite all this, I knew it was on. I was barely awake, having only slept a few hours. This always happens whenever I have plans with people like this. I think too much and have trouble falling asleep. I knew I could make it there though. I told myself 4 hours sleep was plenty.
Getting Good Sleep
I don’t do well without sleep everyday though. Some people can, or they take a sleep aid. I think sleep and our circadian rythums are an important part of good health. I feel I need sleep more than most people. If I was a go-getting Tony Robbins clone, who never sleeps, would know it by now. If a hike starts at 11 pm, or 2 am, I know myself, and I just can’t swing it. This puts me out of most hikes. Mount Whitney in a day is one hike you need to start early on. Even for that hike, were I to do it again, I would be starting no earlier than 3 am.
The Drive
The drive from my house and the early wake up call meant 5 am was a reasonable start time for me. I need to put my health first, because without it, I might not be here. I began heading south on the 5 freeway, through South Orange County, passing through Camp Pendleton, and past the towns of Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Encinitas. It is about an hours drive to Mission Trails. It was now 5am, as I arrived at the trailhead for Cowles Mountain.
Cowles Mountain #3
I have climbed this mountain twice before, once from this trailhead and once from Big Rock Park, the longer way. But I had yet to hike the most popular route, via Barker Way. Maybe next time I will.
Since it was 5 am, it was still dark. I parked, attempting to quickly gather my things, while fumbling around in my car in the dark. It’s not my favorite thing to do. I still felt half asleep too, as I searched for the restroom, after walking up the road to the filled parking lot.
A Fools Errand
Was this was a fools errand, as least as far as I go? Why am I doing 4 peaks? That was the question on my mind. Was it wise? Would I make it? So many questions. Pretty normal for me to question everything. Challenge was accepted and the sufferfest was now on.
Party Time
It was a birthday celebration. Ask any hiker what they want to do for their birthday, and they will tell you…climb the tallest mountain they can find all day long until their feet hurt, their hip aches, and some back pain for good measure. It could be a 6 hour hike, 8 hours, or all day long. But how about 10 peaks? Hikers love to suffer on a birthday. Another way to say “feel alive!”
The Hike Begins
I was on the trail by 5:15 am in the pitch black darkness, before first light. Most of the group had started at 2 am, the plan being to hike to Cowles and Pyles, twice, before driving to Kwaaypaay.
First Light
By 5:25 am it was first light. I had a swift pace on the way up, in marathon mode, still enjoying that early morning burst of adrenaline that fades as the day goes on. It was cool and dark, and I do my best hiking when it is like this, around sunrise. The heat is what zaps my energy every time.
By 5:55 am, as I was nearing the top, and the sunrise was starting.
After a mere 1.3 miles in and after 45 minutes of hiking, I was closing in on Cowles, maybe 5 minutes from the top, when I finally ran into the group, meeting some new people for the first time, and running into the birthday girl, who had balloons, so hard to miss her. My timing for running into them was almost perfect, but I did not count on the fact that they were even faster than I thought they would be.
Everyone was in such a great mood and filled with enthusiasm, even at 6 am before the sun has even risen. I continued on to the summit.
By 6:03 am I was on Cowles Mountain.
I enjoyed it for about a minute, the intro to the sunrise, which would be officially in another 10 minutes. It took a lot to not stay for it. Why didn’t they? Is that not the point of it all, to catch sunrise. I love a mountain sunrise.
I walked as fast as possible back down, in an attempt to catch up with the group and actually did. Back at the parking area, there was some snack sharing. It was a fun group, and everyone brought something to share such as homegrown tangerines. I had brought gluten free chocolate chip cookies, being the weirdo who does not eat gluten.
After about 20 minutes in the parking area, waiting for hikers I did not know were behind us, we drove off to the Kwaaypay Peak parking area. There was a lot of road construction and it was tough to know where to go. Eventually I found my way into the parking area around the road blocks. We hung out there and celebrated her birthday for about an hour, and gifts were given.
By 7:35 am we were off to Kwaypaay, walking down the road, before making a turn onto the trail to Kwaypaay.
At first the incline was gradual, and then there were some stairs.
I had to stop once, for a minute on the way up. I don’t think anyone else did.
The last part of the climb to the top was steep, and no joke. I then drifted to the back of the pack.
By 8:10 am I reached the summit of Kwaypaay Peak (Elevation 1194 ft)!
The sun was out, shining right in my face, and it was very getting warm.
That was 2 peaks! Now there were two more to go.
Next we continued back down from Kwaypaay. Everyone was in good spirits, as we crossed the road, finding the trail toward North and South Fortuna. We continued through a section shaded by trees, and then along a wide path through the open space.
I gazed back up at Kwaypaay, which was much steeper than I imagined. A short hike can pack a punch.
I glanced back towards Cowles and Pyles, across the dry grassy meadow.
We would cross open meadows, pass through wooded forested sections, and hike along a stream, laden in large rocky boulders.
There are sometimes waterfalls flowing through this rocky section alongside the stream.
I was in the middle of the group as we continued up another steep and rocky incline to South Fortuna.
There were some yellow poppies in bloom along the way to cheer me on.
I had made it to South Fortuna (Elev 1094 ft)!
I could see my last of the four peaks I committed to in the distance. After a short break, considering the people who were behind us still on the way up, we continued back downhill to the saddle. It was overcast and not as hot as I thought it could be. Some of these ladies were on their 6th peak, bound for 10 peaks. It was kind of insane, that they were in such good shape. It just takes training, and I needed much much more to be ready.
At this point, hikers were dispersing. Some had already done six peaks and I had only done three. I was certain I would do a fourth, but was ready to go back to the trailhead after that, to push it too much. I just did not want to be in pain later, with my condition.
We made it to the taller of the two peaks, North Fortuna (Elev 1243 ft)!
Afterward, having climbed to 4 peaks in a day as planned, I decided to head back with two of the ladies. It was a hiker friend’s 60th birthday. She climbs the tallest socal peaks you can find, inspiring others along the way, with her encouraging positive attitude. We had both hiked to El Cajon Mountain together, back in January, another challenging San Diego peak. Happy Birthday Lanny!
I headed back through the meadows, making it to my car by 12:45 pm.
My hike was 12.5 miles with 3400 foot of gain to the 4 peaks. All in all it was a challenging and fun way to celebrate a birthday, and I was grateful to have found such a great group of women to share my love of hiking with. It is always better hiking with friends!
I hope you enjoyed reading this, and it is helpful in knowing what to expect, should you decide to visit here.
The Essentials
Just be sure to come prepared, bring the 10 essentials, and Pack Out Your Trash to keep the wilderness pristine for future hikers.
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
Like and Subscribe to my Channel!
Follow my Journey @serafinabenjamin
Follow along on My Youtube Channel where I post videos!
Disclaimer:
The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2026 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
Serafina Hikes 