Kwaay Paay Peak - Peak #9
View of Kwaay Paay from the trail
Kwaay Paay
Elevation: 1,194’
Mileage: 2.2 Miles
Agency: Mission Trails Regional Park
Dates Hiked: 09/02/2009
Trailhead
Peakbagger.com Page
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09/02/2009
This was my second peak of the day and the temperature just kept on rising. I parked by the Old Mission Dam area and started hiking up the trail and was presented with a beautiful view of Kwaay Paay Peak from the trailhead.
The trail was fairly straightforward and not too steep until the last .5 miles.
At that point, you are presented with a steep slope leading straight up the side of the mountain. In 100F weather, and being the second hike of the day, it is not for the faint of heart. I climbed the near-vertical slope, which would be great if I was going downhill on a pair of skis, and reached the level part of the trail on top.
I reached the summit and drank plenty of water, enjoying the view of the San Diego River Valley.
San Diego River Valley from the Peak
Fortuna Mountain from Kwaay Paay
To the north, I could see the span on the 52 Freeway and the barren rolling hills of USMC Air Station Miramar. Wiping sweat from my eyes, I started on the dusty trail downward.
A span on the 52 Freeway with USMCAS Miramar beyond
The thermometer in my car read 100F at the trailhead, easily 13-15 degrees hotter than yesterday. One more trail to go for double-digit peak completion.
