Thursday, March 17, 2011

Iron Mountain in Poway, San Diego County

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looking West from the summit of Iron Mountain (the other mountain is Black Mountain)
One of the things I enjoy living in San Diego is the accessibility of the trails. I remembered when I was still new in San Diego, one of my students before told me that, "in San Diego, if there is a hill, there must be a trail". True enough, I found out later that there are actually trails almost everywhere. There are trails in the inland hills and valleys, in coastal mesas and canyons, in coastal bluffs, and if one prefers to do more serious climbs, then there is Palomar Mountain and the Cuyamaca Mountains not so far from the coastal city. However, one of my favorite trails within the city limits in San Diego Metro is Iron Mountain, next to Torrey Pines State Reserve (my first) and Woodson Mountain (my second). Iron Mountain has new parking lot now which allows for more cars to park safely instead of on the curb.
me at the summit of Iron Mountain (looking Southeast), rising 2700 ft above sea level
The two pictures above were taken on the same day, about 3 weeks ago. Notice the big difference between looking West and looking Southeast. Looking Southeast (2nd picture above ) and East (below),
looking East from the summit of Iron Mountain
the low clouds were thinning out providing for a greater visibility to view the mountain layers to the East. Looking west (first picture above) where we came from was surrounded by low lying fogs. On a clear day, the ocean glitters with the sun at the top of Iron Mountain. This was how our road looked like as we left home and drove a few miles East to Iron Mountain.
leaving home and driving to Iron Mountain ( posted this picture previously in my post here )
However, just a few miles East and upon reaching the trailhead, the conditions was totally different. No fogs, but a clear trail with plenty of sunshine.
Coast Live Oaks Lined Trail- @ the trailhead
There are two trailheads that approach the summit of Iron Mountain. These two trailheads are located approximately 1 mile apart. The hike from the Highway 67 Staging Area, just south of the intersection with Poway Road, is shorter and is a direct path to the peak. The hike from the Ellie Lane Staging Area, one mile north along Highway 67, is longer, but more scenic.
Here are some trail information for the two trailheads:
From Ellie Lane Trailhead:
Distance: 9.0 miles round trip
Elevation gain/loss : 1600 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Highway 67 and Ellie Lane Road ( 0.7 mile North of Poway Rd)

From Highway 67 trailhead, just South of Poway Road:
Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1000 ft
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Trailhead: Highway 67, a little bit South of Poway Road

Best Times to Hike: On cooler days, usually November to May

from Iron Mountain's summit, looking South
On a clear day, looking West and Southwest, one will see the Pacific Ocean. The picture below was one of those days where the visibility was so clear I could even see the Los Coronados Island.
Looking Southwest from the summit of Iron Mountain on a Golden Day (sunny day)
The picture above was not taken at sunset, but at noon actually. I did not also edit the picture to give the golden hues commonly seen during sunset, but because about noon, the marine layer (or fogs) that you see in the very first picture above have been lifted higher and have spread out to let some rays of the sun hit the ocean creating a soft golden hue making it look like a sunset at noontime.
♥♥
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34 comments:

  1. You sure have found many fascinating places to visit in right there in San Diego where you live. Beautiful images, I especially like the morning fog, coast live oaks, and the golden noontime lighting.

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  2. Amazing photos... I hope to see these too. Never been to the Americas yet...

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  3. Breath-taking photos...it must be very cold in there...I remembered my stay in Baguio tuwing umaga at hapon ganyang ganyan ang condition foggy. Prone to accident kaya kailangan mag-ingat tlga sa daan...

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  4. I'm living through your adventure with gorgeous photos, Betchai. Hope all is well!

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  5. The first photo is just simply amazing. The perspective shot looks like its taken from the plane.
    The series of shots marvelous!

    I agree with you, long distance hiking should be done in cooler weather.

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  6. I like the one while you were in the middle of those oak trees. :D

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  7. It's a breathtaking sign to stand above the clouds! I love the blue gradation of the mountains too. They looks like painting!

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  8. thanks for the post

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  9. those photos atop the mountain are extraordinary,

    i like hiking too, but we have only hills here albeit big ones.

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  10. Oh Ms Betchai I am so scared of heights and you make me nervous standing on that big rock. I love the view and would most likely brave it despite my fears. I just wouldn't get so close to the edge maybe, or look down LOL!

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  11. Your photos always show how beautiful this earth really is, and I just love looking at them! Go on more adventures since I love what you've shared here on your blog!

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  12. The foggy mountain scene reminded me of my experience in Bali. The mountain view was obscured by fog and it was raining. What a shame...otherwise, we would have seen the mountaintop from the restaurant where we were dining.

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  13. Really beautiful photos. All are breathtaking!

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  14. your photos are breathtakingly beautiful as always. I love the first photo. The elevation gave a vantage point to see the beauty afar and the fog added drama to the whole picture.

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  15. the last photo sure looks like taken during sunset. breathtaking captures, Beth!

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  16. "if there is a hill, there must be a trail"....but unless you are Betchai who really loves the Joy of Simple life, you can not get there...whew...bathing in blue mountains here sis...wow...to me you are wonderwoman...love that photo of you at the summit of Iron Mountain!!!

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  17. Betchai dear, love all your photos, especially you up in the hills :) thanks again for the Bon Voyage and prayers...

    so much i want to write but too little time :(

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  18. i have run out of superlatives to describe the places u have been. i would to b in yr shoes ref the second pic

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  19. I never knew about all these wondrous locations around the San Diego area. You seem to be living in an ideal location for hiking.

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  20. Betchai, you should really publish a book with all your wonderful hiking and trail information and your beautiful photographs. You have so much that you share and it is just wonderful. Sadly, I no longer hike ( not that I ever was much at that sort of thing ). I preferred riding horses in the old days!!!

    How lovely your pictures are. Everything is so spectacular.

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  21. Betchai, these are simply magnificent and I love traveling through your journeys.

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  22. I love all these photos. It's like they take me to a different world :) I especially love the first two pictures. How I would love to also stand on that mountain haha!

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  23. you daring Betchai...I don't think I'll have the guts to pose right at the top of the mountain!

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  24. Looking at you, I do miss hiking those trails. One of these days as I always say, I will be that me again. :-)

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  25. Amazing photos, wonderful life! Beth, you so fortunate to have the time to pursue what you really like to do! Keep it up, dear friend! Lovely place to visit. I hope we get to explore some of those wonderful places you and Khai have visited! :)

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  26. Well, mountains are wonderful, but I think I like that tunnel of trees.

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  27. You only have to drive a little ways to get such a difference in scenery. Also in your case, you just have to turn around! :)

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  28. the last photo is really amazing! it does look like it was taken at sunset. breathtaking post as usual, Beth! :)

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  29. Fantastic photo and caption. Bravo!

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  30. I'm looking for a town/village right on the ocean that is safe, clean, prosperous and pretty as a post card. Cany you name one or two in San Diego County?

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  31. Black Mountain is called "Wee-La-Mee" by the San Pasqual natives.

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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!