Level Up With Lawson Peak

This fall, channel your inner autumn adventurer and celebrate rock-tober on a most epic summit hike—Lawson Peak. Okay, so, Lawson Peak is just east of Jamul’s boundary and technically sits in neighboring Alpine (which has some great treks too), but Jamul’s most famous apex, McGinty Mountain, is best done in winter or spring due to its aromatic flora and lack of shade. Regardless of where it lies, the 4.5-mile out-and-back trip to Lawson Peak offers some of the best local panoramas and a fun granite playground via a gradual 1,500-foot ascent that benefits from some nice afternoon shade. These cooler temps and fewer hikers make the steep push and rocky finale a headline fall feature.

Find the dirt pullout (that fits a handful of cars) and trailhead off Lyons Valley Road and start your ascent on a rough, eroded track that climbs steadily for nearly 2 miles. The road itself can feel like a slog, but the views open wide early and only get better as you gain elevation.

Plus, if you’re starting on a fall afternoon, you’ll have long shadows from the canyon walls draping over the trail, making for a comfortable grind. Once you crest, you’ll spot Lawson’s hulking granite summit block straight ahead. You’ll also have incredible surrounding vistas of the valley below. This is a good turnaround point but if you’re up for a challenge, from here the hike shifts gears and your autumn adventure really begins.

Plunge ahead through brush and boulders east and north of the summit block. It’s rocky, technical, and overgrown at times, so pants and a bit of grit are recommended for this final stretch (leave your poles here if you brought them). Just below the summit a near-vertical fissure outfitted with plenty of handholds (and often a rope) leads you into a narrow rock cave. Shimmy about 15 feet through the dim passage and you’ll emerge onto a broad shelf, perfect for a breather and a snack with eastward views. A short scramble from here brings you to the highest boulder and the true peak.

Standing on top of Lawson feels like standing on top of the world. To the east, Barrett Lake glimmers; to the west, on a clear day you’ll spot the Pacific beyond San Diego’s sprawl. The panorama is pure fall magic, with long shadows stretching across golden chaparral and granite gleaming in the late sun. The descent will test your knees, but autumn’s crisp air and quieter trails make it a climb you’ll want to savor. Rock on!

BONUS WINERY: After a rockin’ fall workout like Lawson, you deserve a reward. Deerhorn Valley Vineyards is under 5 miles away and offers tasty wines and even local olive oils.

To get to the Lawson Peak trailhead, take the I-805 to the CA-94 and head east. You’ll be on the CA-94 for about 15 miles before turning left on Lyons Valley Road. After 1.6 miles, continue straight onto Skyline Truck Trail and after 7.1 miles turn left to rejoin Lyons Valley Road. You’ll find the trailhead and small lot on the left after 2.8 miles. Dog-friendly!

Story and photos by Matt Pawlik, @mattitudehikes