Gaskill Peak | Lawson Peak Trail, San Diego

Distance: 7.1 miles | Hiking time: 4-5 hours | More info.

Gaskill Peak and Lawson Peak are known for their challenging ascents and rewarding views. They share much of the same hiking trails and scenery, so I’m picking this trip report up where my report on Lawson Peak ended. If you haven’t read that report yet, be sure to check it out for a description of the hike to Wisecarver Road from the trailhead at Lyons Valley Road.

Hiking from Wisecarver Road to Gaskill Peak

Continue following Wisecarver Road for another 1.5 miles towards Gaskill Peak from the base of Lawson Peak. The trail wanders its way down and across the ridge separating the two peaks. The trail leading to Gaskill Peak is rugged, like the trail to Lawson Peak, but with minimal elevation change until you reach the base of Gaskill Peak.

At the base of the peak, the trail sharply turns right (southeast). Immediately after the turn the trail opens up slightly at an intersection of trails.

To the right, a well-worn trail leads off to a southeast facing scenic overlook with views of the valley. To the North, Wisecarver Road continues around and over the mountain straight ahead.

Hike to Gaskill Peak — Gaskill Peak from Lawson Peak with the trail visible near the base of the mountain.

Summiting Gaskill Peak

To summit Gaskill Peak, take the lightly traveled trail heading into the bushes to the north. Continue along this trail for a short distance while watching for signs of an even more primitive trail that shoots off to the left directly into the underbrush.

The summit trail lacks fixed signs or markers, so it is easy to miss if you are not paying attention. If you’re lucky, as I was on my second visit, you may find that the trail is marked with cairns by past visitors.

There are no fixed signs or trail markers for the summit trail, and it’s very easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. If you’re lucky, as I was on my second visit, you may find that the trail is marked with cairns by past visitors.

In any case, if you find that you’ve gone more than a couple of hundred yards without running into the trail, you probably walked right by it. Turn around and head back rather than making the mistake I made the first time by continuing my search for a 1/2 mile or more.

If you’ve gone more than a couple of hundred yards without finding the trail, you probably already passed it. Turn around and head back, rather than making the same mistake I did the first time by continuing my search for half a mile or more.

When you locate the trail, plunge yourself into the brush and work your way up the mountain towards the peak. When you get to the top, you’ll have several options for climbing up. After a little hunting. I found a route that worked for me by heading westward around the south edge of the peak.

Once you’ve reached the top, take a moment to enjoy the incredible views that you’ve worked hard to see. They’re remarkable, and distinctly different from those you get while standing on top of Lawson Peak.

Gaskill Peak Retrospective

Just as with my experience hiking Lawson Peak, the only thing that didn’t excite me about my visit to Gaskill Peak was the hike up from Lyons Valley Road. Once I left Wisecarver Road and headed off into the brush to find Gaskill Peak, my adventure meter started buzzing.

On my first visit, I missed the summit trail, which was a huge disappointment. However, on my second visit, I came prepared with a new plan, thanks to the help of Google Earth.

With the help of Google Earth’s satellite view, I was able to identify the most likely route to the top. Although the trail I found on Google Earth seemed faint, it was the only feasible path that stood out from the rest of the terrain. And, as it turns out, it was the correct route.

The climb to the summit is a little challenging, but not too technical until you reach the base of the summit. I had to work a bit to find a safe route to the top, but I was pleased that I didn’t give up too quickly.

Standing on top of Gaskill Peak is like standing on top of the World. The day was clear and the views were unlike any I’ve found in San Diego to date.

Conclusion

Gaskill Peak and Lawson Peak are two of the most rewarding hikes in San Diego County. While the hikes can be challenging, and require some off-trail navigation, the stunning views from the summits make the effort more than worth it.

Hopefully the tips I’ve shared in these two reports will help you to plan and execute a successful hike to Gaskill Peak and/or Lawson Peak. So grab your hiking boots, prepare your pack, and get ready to experience some of the best hiking that San Diego has to offer!

Tips

Parking requires an Adventure Pass and is located at Mile Marker 13
There are no facilities or trail signage at this location
Bring at least 2 liters of water, there’s very little shade
Remember to bring sunscreen and sunglasses
Wear a good pair of hiking shoes or trail runners
Wear long pants to contend with trees, brush and rocks

Additional Information & Resources

Photos

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Robb Keele

Robb is a native San Diegan and avid hiker, backpacker, and picture taker. He created Getgo Outdoors with the goal of giving back to the outdoor community and inspiring others to get outdoors.