Recently our hiking club decided to tackle the Mt. Woodson trail, a hike that I suggested they add to their list. This is a hike I had hoped to do with a blogger friend, but divergent schedules and car troubles resulted in a missed opportunity. Soon after said friend boarded a plane and jet-set off to faraway lands. I am dedicating this short post to that zany guy who is the talented author of The Sophomore Slump blog. Rommel, I carried you along in spirit up the trail. 🙂
Mt. Woodson has two approaches to the summit, the western approach a 5.5 mile loop with a 1500 foot elevation gain and the eastern approach, somewhat more aggressive at 6.8 miles and 2300 feet up the mountain. Our hiking group chose the western approach but I must admit the eastern approach, which has its beginnings at Lake Poway, seems it might have the more diverse views along the way. However, either approach has huge boulders strewn across the mountainside, making for an interesting hike.
And both approaches are steep climbing, but if you keep your focus on the reason you chose this hike, the journey becomes less arduous (mind over matter, yes?). And the reason most choose this hike is to get their photo taken on the cantilevered flake of rock near the top known as Potato Chip Rock. Many a hiker has stood in a long line to have their picture taken on the Chip, some testing fate with handstands, jumps, and yoga poses near the edge. For me the bigger challenge was climbing the boulder to get to Potato Chip Rock.
If you decide you gotta have that photo of yourself doing stunts on a rock seemingly suspended in mid-air, plan a visit during the week, unless standing in line for an hour is your thing. Your reward once down the mountain should be lunch at The Yellow Deli imho. 😉
Paint Your Landscape 
Great looking hike!
It was lots of fun Andrew. 🙂
This was such a fun hike. I am only disappointed that it was the Christmas Holiday and everyone else thought it would be a good idea to hike there, as well. One day I’ll return and try to get out on the “chip.” Love the photo of you on the chip:)
Thanks Pam! It is a fun hike. I was just sorry that Rommel and I were not able to hike it together, now that he has taken such an interest in hiking.
Ha ha I hope he will be back in a couple of years. I would be really be interested in hiking this trail. It looked like you are having a great winter in CA. Are you ever going to do some traveling this year?
I think you two would enjoy this trail MonLiza, perhaps better on the western approach. Maybe you will be around to hike it with Rommel. 🙂 We are going to head out for some traveling sometime in May, to the northwest.
Your header photo is utterly stunning! I love it.
Thanks Gunta!
LuAnn when I saw the photo of the four on Potato Chip rock I could barely control myself from screaming ” GET OFF OF THERE!” What a photo op for sure. Sounds like a great, albeit challenging, hike.
It was a fun hike Sue. I had a friend start screaming at me from below when I walked to the edge. 🙂
I can understand her reaction. 🙂
🙂
What a chip, wow it looks awesome!
It was pretty cool Ute. 🙂
Makes me nervous just looking at the pictures of the people standing on the end of that rock!
Haha! It is not as bad as it might look. 🙂
I’m not good with heights or edges!
And I am not good in crowded spaces. 🙂
For years potato chip rock was unknown and there were no lines. Then I think it was on some world-wide top 10 list and the secret was out! In the past 3 years every time we have gone the line was ridiculous (school winter holidays, means tons of kids) so we’ve not gotten photos of us on the rock. You look like a daredevil!
I wouldn’t consider myself a daredevil Lisa, especially when I look at some of the photos people have taken out on that rock. It is a fun hike but I am betting the western approach is a bit more interesting.
How fun. Love all the photos especially you sitting on the edge of potato chip rock… awesome 🙂
Thanks Ingrid. It was lots of fun. 🙂
What a cool hike….but….there would be no way I would go out on that tip. Nor would I allow Paul…even though he would put up a fuss.
Actually Marsha, going out on the tip wasn’t that tough. It was crawling onto the boulder in front of Potato Chip Rock first that was the bigger challenge.
ok.. i’m trying to close my open mouth! that’s an amazing slice of rock, and it appears that one day it will get tired and drop!
i’m surprised there’s no paperwork that releases responsibility should the rock break and fall!
thanks for taking us on this hike!
One day it will probably get that tired Lisa, as it is what it is today due to weathering. Right now it still looks pretty sturdy.
i loved the post, and that formation will stay in my memory for a long time!
🙂
Oh my goodness, LuAnn! When I saw the pic of the gal in the pink shirt on that ledge, I had to quickly scroll back to check what colour shirt you were wearing. I didn’t think you were that crazy. 😀 I wonder if Rommel would have been brave/reckless enough. 😕 I agree with Gunta; your header pic is stunning.
Thanks Sylvia! What I did was tame compared to what I have seen some do. Rommel is young and probably much braver than me. 🙂
I’d be all over that chip … with lots of different poses. Ahihihi 😀
I have no doubt. I would have loved to be a part of that photo shoot! 🙂
I’m very sure you would, Rommel. No Fear!! 🙂
I must admit it looks pretty crazy. I’ve never actually done that hike, so may have to add it to the list while we’re here in San Diego.
Nina
It isn’t as crazy as it looks Nina, although I am not adventuresome enough to do handstands at the edge. 😉
Wow! Great photo of you perched on Potato Chip Rock, LuAnn. I admit when I first saw the photo I thought, “No way am I doing that!” But since we’ll be in Poway next week, I might just have to give it a try. Looks like you’re having a lot of fun with your hiking group. We certainly enjoyed our time with you and Terry in Anza Borrego and are looking forward to many more adventures together. 🙂
It was a nice hike but next time I would take the western approach I think. I would definitely go during the week Laurel, otherwise it seems the lines are long for the photo shoot on PC Rock. We really enjoyed our time with you, Eric, and your friends in Anza Borrego. Looking forward to seeing you both again soon. 🙂
What a hiking adventure, LuAnn! The landscape is incredibly beautiful. It must be an experience to get up to the Potato Chip Rock. 🙂 Great photos!
Thanks Amy! It was a fun day. 🙂
You have given me another place to go! Neat picture of all of you on the rock!
It is a fun hike with some great views on a clear day. 🙂
A great hike to a wonderfully named rock. I love how we give bizarre names to things, I wonder how many people take a bag of crisps with them to eat or take forced perspective pictures with in a homage…I feel the need to do just that now.
We seem to like to name everything in this country. Is that true of yours as well Ste J?
I think it is, it’s like that face on Mars, we have to see things in nature and name them. It is nice to see such bizarre names attached to things though, it does keep me amused.
That Rommel missed out on what seems to be a very exciting, albeit hard, hike. I think you’re better off without him anyway. He’d be way way back you’d have to wait for him….. a lot. 😀 It’s his lost.
You surprised us with your picture on the edge. That was one thing I was wondering. I thought I had to pressure you in doing it. Then again … it’s you.
I’m so glad you did this hike. Now, I feel less disappointed for not being able to get to it. 🙂
Given the strenuous hike you did tackle Rommel, I am certain this one would have been a breeze for you. I thought of you often while I was hiking up Mt. Woodson. Hope all is well! 🙂
Wow! You call that tame??? I would have most likely opted to be the photographer 🙂 Sad Rommel missed this.
Rommel would have most likely been out on the edge doing handstands! 🙂 This hike was lots of fun.