The unpaved road to Palomar Mountain High Point Lookout
Usa, north-america
12.71 km
1,874 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, listen up! If you're anywhere near northern San Diego County, you HAVE to check out Palomar Mountain. This peak hits an altitude of 6,148 feet, offering views that stretch all the way to the coast.
Tucked away in the Cleveland National Forest, getting to the top is an adventure in itself. The road is unpaved, so you’ll definitely need a 4x4 to make it. Keep an eye out for the fire lookout at the summit, built back in 1935. Did you know it used to be called Smith Mountain? Glad they brought back the original Mexican name – Palomar, meaning "place of the pigeons."
The climb starts near Oak Grove and covers about 7.9 miles, with a whopping 3,353 feet of elevation gain. That's an average gradient of over 8%, so get ready for a steady climb. Trust me, the panoramic views from the top are worth every bump and grind!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 12.71 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,874 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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