Live in San Diego long enough and it won’t be long before you start to see the images that appear on the Facebook page of people standing on a very precarious, thin piece of rock sticking out of the sky. The iconic piece of land is Potato Chip Rock and can be reached by climbing Mount Woodson in the San Diego County suburb of Poway, California.
Directions and Parking Information for Chips Hike
The Mt Woodson Trail is part of the City of Poway trail system and is located next to Lake Poway. The entrance is at 14644 Lake Poway Road. Lake Poway and Mt Woodson Trail are accessible daily from 6 a.m. to sunset.
There is a large parking lot at the base of the trail so finding parking is usually not a problem. While access to the trail is free, there is a $ 5 fee to park your car or RV ($ 2 for motorcycles) if you are not a Poway resident. Poway residents can park for free. Picnic tables and green areas are located next to the parking lot and there is also a restroom just before the trailhead. Make sure to use it because other than spending a potty for about 30 to 45 minutes on the walk, you won’t be going to another bathroom.
The Potato Chip Rock Hike is a round-trip hike in San Diego to the top of Mount Woodson and back that lasts 7.5 miles. The first part of the hike takes you up an elevated path that curves alongside Lake Poway. You will get great views of the beautiful lake and you will probably see small boats with people fishing.
The trail continues to get steeper and one of the reasons this is one of the toughest hikes in San Diego County. At the top, you will see Potato Chip Rock. It is hard to miss and there is almost always a line of people waiting to take a photo on the rock. Start the hike first thing in the morning to avoid the line. When you’re there, be polite and just do a few poses so you can quickly get down and let the next people in line take their turns.
Safety tips for walking to potato chip rock
The hiking trail up to Potato Chip Rock has great unobstructed views thanks to not a lot of tall trees along the way. This can make it very hot. Here are some precautions to stay healthy and safe while hiking the trail:
- Bring lots of water. There is nowhere to get water along the way. A camelback-style backpack can be very useful if you don’t want to carry a jug of water with you for almost eight miles.
- Wear a hat and / or sunglasses to protect your eyes from harsh sunlight.
- Put on sunscreen before heading out on the hike and reapply on top or as often as needed.
- Plan your hike for the morning rather than the afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day.
- Wear sturdy walking shoes. There are a lot of loose rocks and steep, narrow inclines, so you’ll want shoes that protect your feet and ankles.
- Consider walking poles. This can help you balance on any loose terrain along the way, plus it will help avoid hurting your knees if you generally have a problem with joint pain.
- Stay on track. Rattlesnakes and other dangers can be encountered along the way.
- Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash.
