Review:

Hiking the Viejas Mountains, with the trailhead near Alpine, is not for the faint of heart. This 3.6-mile oxygen-depriving exercise is steep, rugged, rocky, slippery, mostly unmarked, and completely without any shade. There are short stretches of flat path, but you will gain 1,600 feet in elevation. So why bother with this nightmare? First, because it is pretty, with wildflowers growing along the trail. Second, because you can see the mountain from anywhere in San Diego and it challenges you. And finally, because when you are on top, the summit of Viejas Mountain opens up a 360-degree view of the world all around you and you can see everything. The feeling of being on top of the world is worth a few hours of suffering.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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