Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Lawson’s popular with peakbaggers and rockclimbers alike

Views of eastern peaks and Pacific waters await

Approaching the peak summit with broom chaparral in the foreground.
Approaching the peak summit with broom chaparral in the foreground.
Lawson Peak trail

Lawson Peak, at elevation 3664 feet, is one of the 100 peaks (41st tallest) listed for the county by the San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club. It is also one of a series of three peaks, along with Gaskill and Lyons, located in Cleveland National Forest, that help define San Diego’s eastern mountainous skyline. In addition to peakbaggers, Lawson is also popular among rock climbers who enjoy the challenges found on the large granite boulders that make up the summit area. Off-roaders particularly like the challenges found on the rutted Carveacre Road, beginning from Japatul Road and climaxing with a climb up the granitic face of Pancake Rock. Lawson Peak is named for John Lawson, a settler who had his own post office from 1890-1891.

The trail starts at mile marker 13 on Lyons Valley Road, where an old, dirt jeep road starts. The road is shared with adventurous off-roaders so be aware that there may be encounters with several four-wheel drive vehicles. The first two miles follow the steep climb of the deeply rutted jeep road and then descend slightly to meet Wisecarver Road, another dirt road coming from the left. Nearby is the large granitic slab known as Pancake Rock. Straight ahead is the massive granite pile that is Lawson Peak.

Sponsored
Sponsored

The California trapdoor spider keeps his door closed most of the time.

Along the way, look for California trapdoor spiders that are prevalent on the slopes on the side of the road. Related to tarantulas, they are ambush experts who wait by their open door for insects or other arthropods to capture and take down into their tube-like burrow to eat. Their doors are closed most of the time.

Take note of the chaparral hillsides on the way up, and listen for the tell-tale song of the “voice of the chaparral,” the native wrentit bird. The small, dull, grayish brown wrentit may be difficult to see among the thick chaparral, but its series of “pit,” “pit,” “pit,” sharply whistled sounds, all in the same pitch and increasing rapidly, followed by a descending trill, is easily recognized. Some describe the sound as a ping-pong ball falling on a table. The wrentit is not closely related to any other North American species and is the only species in its own genus. Its name even indicates some of the controversy of how to classify it as the name combines wrens with tits — it is not related to either but has external resemblances to both.

Once past the dirt road, the real climb begins through low brush and over boulders up to the peak. This is prime rattlesnake habitat, so keep a sharp eye out where you place your hands and feet. This area of the Cleveland National Forest is a highly sensitive wildlife area because surrounding peaks are nesting areas for prairie and peregrine falcons. Call the forest service office to see if there are any issues, especially in spring during raptor nesting.

Continue bushwhacking up the trail to the summit block where a narrow, vertical rock cave is found. To reach the top boulder, it will be necessary to climb up and through the cave to reach a broad shelf on the summit. It will require reaching for a ledge and pulling one’s self up. This is a 4th class chimney in rock climbing terms. Be aware that while this is a popular spot for rock climbers, some of the bolts left behind might be years old and may not be secure anymore. Don’t attempt the climb to the top shelf unless you have experience doing some climbing. Once up, reaching the topmost boulder will be easier.

Map to Lawson Peak

The view from the summit is spectacular. Surrounding peaks include Gaskill, Lyons, Tecate, Corte Madera, and beyond to Mt. San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, Mt. Baldy, and Mt. Cuyamaca. To the west lie the city of El Cajon and the Pacific Ocean. There can be gusty winds toward the top and it may be cooler. Dress accordingly.

For those looking for more mileage and adventure, an option would be to return to Carveacre Road and follow it north a half-mile to find the trail up the south ridge of Gaskill Peak. This peak requires rock climbing to reach the top. Although higher in elevation than Lawson Peak, the view is not as spectacular. Retrace your steps to return to your vehicle. The best time to visit this area is between November and May when it is cooler, although it may be climbed any time during the year.


Distance from downtown San Diego: 34 miles. Allow about 45 minutes driving time (Alpine). From SR-94 E drive toward Jamul via SR-94 E/Campo Road until turning northeast (left) on Lyons Valley Road. Bear left onto Skyline Truck Trail, following it until it reconnects with Lyons Valley Road. Turn southeast (left) on Lyons Valley Road and continue driving until mile marker 13, some three miles northeast of the intersection of Honey Springs Road and Skyline Truck Trail, and park at the base of a dirt road. Limited parking is available in two small turnouts on Lyons Valley Road.

Hiking Length: 4.5 miles out-and-back.

Difficulty: Moderately strenuous. Elevation gain/loss 1600 feet. Summiting the top boulder is challenging and requires rock climbing skills. Terrain leading to summit is steep with boulders and is brushy. Multi-use trail for hikers and off-road drivers. Dogs allowed. No facilities.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Celebrate Holi, Borrego Springs Music Festival

Events March 23-March 27, 2024
Next Article

Taco Taco Poway still has 99-cent fish tacos

Tacotopia prizewinner is well known among Powegians
Approaching the peak summit with broom chaparral in the foreground.
Approaching the peak summit with broom chaparral in the foreground.
Lawson Peak trail

Lawson Peak, at elevation 3664 feet, is one of the 100 peaks (41st tallest) listed for the county by the San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club. It is also one of a series of three peaks, along with Gaskill and Lyons, located in Cleveland National Forest, that help define San Diego’s eastern mountainous skyline. In addition to peakbaggers, Lawson is also popular among rock climbers who enjoy the challenges found on the large granite boulders that make up the summit area. Off-roaders particularly like the challenges found on the rutted Carveacre Road, beginning from Japatul Road and climaxing with a climb up the granitic face of Pancake Rock. Lawson Peak is named for John Lawson, a settler who had his own post office from 1890-1891.

The trail starts at mile marker 13 on Lyons Valley Road, where an old, dirt jeep road starts. The road is shared with adventurous off-roaders so be aware that there may be encounters with several four-wheel drive vehicles. The first two miles follow the steep climb of the deeply rutted jeep road and then descend slightly to meet Wisecarver Road, another dirt road coming from the left. Nearby is the large granitic slab known as Pancake Rock. Straight ahead is the massive granite pile that is Lawson Peak.

Sponsored
Sponsored

The California trapdoor spider keeps his door closed most of the time.

Along the way, look for California trapdoor spiders that are prevalent on the slopes on the side of the road. Related to tarantulas, they are ambush experts who wait by their open door for insects or other arthropods to capture and take down into their tube-like burrow to eat. Their doors are closed most of the time.

Take note of the chaparral hillsides on the way up, and listen for the tell-tale song of the “voice of the chaparral,” the native wrentit bird. The small, dull, grayish brown wrentit may be difficult to see among the thick chaparral, but its series of “pit,” “pit,” “pit,” sharply whistled sounds, all in the same pitch and increasing rapidly, followed by a descending trill, is easily recognized. Some describe the sound as a ping-pong ball falling on a table. The wrentit is not closely related to any other North American species and is the only species in its own genus. Its name even indicates some of the controversy of how to classify it as the name combines wrens with tits — it is not related to either but has external resemblances to both.

Once past the dirt road, the real climb begins through low brush and over boulders up to the peak. This is prime rattlesnake habitat, so keep a sharp eye out where you place your hands and feet. This area of the Cleveland National Forest is a highly sensitive wildlife area because surrounding peaks are nesting areas for prairie and peregrine falcons. Call the forest service office to see if there are any issues, especially in spring during raptor nesting.

Continue bushwhacking up the trail to the summit block where a narrow, vertical rock cave is found. To reach the top boulder, it will be necessary to climb up and through the cave to reach a broad shelf on the summit. It will require reaching for a ledge and pulling one’s self up. This is a 4th class chimney in rock climbing terms. Be aware that while this is a popular spot for rock climbers, some of the bolts left behind might be years old and may not be secure anymore. Don’t attempt the climb to the top shelf unless you have experience doing some climbing. Once up, reaching the topmost boulder will be easier.

Map to Lawson Peak

The view from the summit is spectacular. Surrounding peaks include Gaskill, Lyons, Tecate, Corte Madera, and beyond to Mt. San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, Mt. Baldy, and Mt. Cuyamaca. To the west lie the city of El Cajon and the Pacific Ocean. There can be gusty winds toward the top and it may be cooler. Dress accordingly.

For those looking for more mileage and adventure, an option would be to return to Carveacre Road and follow it north a half-mile to find the trail up the south ridge of Gaskill Peak. This peak requires rock climbing to reach the top. Although higher in elevation than Lawson Peak, the view is not as spectacular. Retrace your steps to return to your vehicle. The best time to visit this area is between November and May when it is cooler, although it may be climbed any time during the year.


Distance from downtown San Diego: 34 miles. Allow about 45 minutes driving time (Alpine). From SR-94 E drive toward Jamul via SR-94 E/Campo Road until turning northeast (left) on Lyons Valley Road. Bear left onto Skyline Truck Trail, following it until it reconnects with Lyons Valley Road. Turn southeast (left) on Lyons Valley Road and continue driving until mile marker 13, some three miles northeast of the intersection of Honey Springs Road and Skyline Truck Trail, and park at the base of a dirt road. Limited parking is available in two small turnouts on Lyons Valley Road.

Hiking Length: 4.5 miles out-and-back.

Difficulty: Moderately strenuous. Elevation gain/loss 1600 feet. Summiting the top boulder is challenging and requires rock climbing skills. Terrain leading to summit is steep with boulders and is brushy. Multi-use trail for hikers and off-road drivers. Dogs allowed. No facilities.

Comments
Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Taco Taco Poway still has 99-cent fish tacos

Tacotopia prizewinner is well known among Powegians
Next Article

Yo-Yo Ma, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky come to San Diego

Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.