Mt. Woodson

 A sunset hike with Dad and Eli.  We tried the Fry-Koegel Trail loop today.  I've been up and down this mountain dozens of times, but never via the Fry-Koegel Trail.  It turned out to be a great way up the mountain; a good compromise between the killer-steep maintenance road up the east ridge of the mountain, and the longer hike up from Poway Lake.

Eli, clearly not as interested in the camera as I am.

The signage is nearly helpful.

One of the best surprises on the hike was the stand of oak trees we found about mid-way along the back of the mountain.  Somehow these guys survived both the 2003 and 2007 fires.  The rest of the landscape out here was clearly scorched in the last decade, but is growing back nicely.  A few more years, and it will be hard to get anywhere if you aren't on the trail. -- Here's Dad, taking in the views...

(These would be the aforementioned views.)

The sun started to set as we reached the western ridge of the mountain.  This is why I like Mt. Woodson.  At about 3,000' tall, it's just high enough to get over the marine layer, but close enough to the coast that you have a tremendous view of nearly all of the west side of San Diego county.  You can see downtown San Diego, the channel islands and San Gorgonio Peak, if it's clear enough.

We navigated the rest of the trail by the sun's dying glow from the horizon, reflected streetlights, and the glow stick I attached to Eli.  Overall, it was a great hike, and about the best way I can think of to enjoy the sunset.

Due to the earlier sunsets at this time of year, we hiked back down the car via the 1.5 mile long, paved maintenance road.  The boulders were still warm and emanating heat they gathered from the sun.  We could feel them warming the breeze as we walked by them.

The view from our parking spot.  (Looks like I need to buy some more gas...)