Distance: 7.9 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 1092' (South Fortuna), 1293' (Fortuna), 1243' (North Fortuna), Peak 879
Elevation Gain: 1972'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.5
Round trip time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Recommended water: 48 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free at Mission Gorge trailhead
Difficulty: Moderate
I mapped out a route in CalTopo to several peaks in Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego. I had been in the area in 2014 for a couple of LPC and SDC peaks, but skipped many of the smaller peaks. The main goals were South Fortuna, Fortuna, North Fortuna, and a couple of provisional no-names on the way back. I ended up skipping one in a signed burn area and another that looked overly brushy, but managed to get four. I arrived a little before the official opening time of 8:00 AM at the parking lot on Mission Gorge and was the first vehicle in the lot. No restrooms at the trailhead.
I started downhill on the Visitor Center Loop Trail. I continued to the San Diego River, and walked along the dam to get across. A couple inches of water were flowing over it that got my boots wet but not my feet. I noticed some "Area Closed" signs, thinking they referred to the delicate vegetation off trail. A second small water crossing was easier, then I was on a wide dirt road heading north into the park. I took an intersection that led to the South Fortuna Trail, a nice single track that ran into the South Fortuna cliff face. It looked unlikely, but wooden beams formed steep steps on the slope. There was one class 2 move on the main trail, but a use trail bypass was available. From the ridge, I walked a quarter mile to South Fortuna with a nice metal monument. The outing had already exceeded my expectations.
The trail was clear to Fortuna along a saddle a few hundred feet below. I met several hikers coming down as I was going up. There used to be a sign at the Fortuna summit, but it was missing. I didn't find any benchmarks and these peaks were far too busy for a register. I took a longer break at the highest point in the park. North Fortuna was less than a quarter mile away and had a monument similar to the one on South Fortuna. I followed the trail down to a fence line bordering Highway 52 at the northern border, then took a trail back to Four Corners. I noticed an air pump station set up for mountain bikers. There were plenty of hikers around, but no bikers this day. I diverted southwest along the Rim Trail to pick up Peak 879. At the top, I found a benchmark stamped "MT-6" placed in 1990 by the Army Corp of Engineers. The views were OKish. The real goal was to pad the stats. I went back to Four Corners, then south on the Suycott Canyon Trail. When I got back to the San Diego River crossing, I noticed more "Area Closed" signs on this side of the river. Now, I suspected the river crossing was closed since water covered the road. Oops. I got around it by going over the dam and getting my boots wet again. I enjoyed this hike quite a bit.
Seven point nine miles and four peaks in one loop — that is a serious morning in Mission Trails. I laughed at the San Diego River dam crossing, wading through a couple of inches of water and only getting your boots wet, then realizing on the way back that the Area Closed signs were probably meant for you all along. The wooden steps up the South Fortuna cliff face and the missing summit sign on Fortuna are exactly the kind of details that make a trip report worth reading. Free parking at Mission Gorge and being the first vehicle in the lot is a small victory too. Thanks for the honest, funny account — I will be watching for your next San Diego hike. — Windy City Limos
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