Viejas Mountain has all the fixings for an ideal local hike.
It’s not too far away — only about a 40-minute drive from the city of San Diego — and is located near the heart of the mountain town of Alpine. It’s a tough, fully uphill climb, but just when you think you’ve had enough and want to quit, you reach the 4,189-foot summit.
There, hikers are rewarded with 360-degree views, including of the Viejas Casino below to the east and El Cajon Mountain to the northwest. A trail register also awaits hikers at the top, so you can record the climb.
The roughly 3.1-mile out-and-back hike took me about 2.5 hours to complete. The trail is entirely exposed, so keep this is mind if hiking on an especially warm or windy day. I chose to hike on a day with gusty Santa Ana winds, which certainly made it more of a workout.
Viejas Mountain is a significant place for the Kumeyaay Nation. It is where they observed the sunrise on the morning of the winter solstice and celebrated with song and dance. According to the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, some elders also tell stories about women hiding on the mountain from Spanish soldiers during the Spanish colonization.
To begin this hike, park at the trailhead located on Anderson Road Truck Trail, a dirt road at the end of Anderson Road in Alpine. From Anderson Road, keep driving on the dirt road for about 0.4 mile before coming to the trailhead on the righthand side. Parking is available on the side of the road.
There isn’t a sign marking the trailhead, but hikers will see a clear pathway.
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The trail climbs gradually at first, and then becomes more of a vertical ascent. Switchbacks help ease the nearly 1,500 feet of elevation gain to reach the summit. Along with the steepness, this trail is also rocky and slippery in sections. Wear sturdy hiking shoes with decent traction, which will especially help you avoid sliding on your descent.
On the way up, hikers can enjoy views of San Diego County, including all the way to the ocean on a clear day. The surrounding vegetation includes a mix of chamise, California buckwheat, white sage and yellow yarrow.
After about 1.3 miles, hikers will reach what appears to be the summit, but you’re not quite there. Continue walking along the trail that travels north along the mountain’s ridge for about 0.2 mile, at one point passing by a sign that points in the direction of the summit.
Once you reach the summit, add your name to one of the scraps of paper tucked into the makeshift trail register. There are two wind breaks at the peak as well, so you can hide from any strong gusts while taking a breather before heading back down the mountain.
