gimpilator - May 5, 2017 12:25 pm Date Climbed: Mar 3, 2017
70 Peaks In 30 Days
This was the first summit of my month long solo peakbagging trip. It was the only drive up.
For photos and brief route descriptions see the trip report.
cab - Nov 25, 2013 12:05 pm Date Climbed: Nov 23, 2013
Drive Up - Minnewawa Truck Trail
Easily driven road by most any vehicle and the road improves the higher you go up. Nice views from the top. I also hiked Bell Bluff and McGinty Mountain earlier in the day and drove up to Tecate Peak afterwards to get four SDC Peaks without too much effort.
ericnoel - Nov 10, 2013 6:58 pm Date Climbed: Nov 10, 2013
Otay
Hooray for Otay! Not really. Nice hazy view of downtown San Diego.
The winter rains did a number on this road, and it was too gnarly for my rented Corolla. Got a nice 12 mile hike in, getting back just before dark. 3.5 hours.
kavak - Jan 5, 2011 11:25 am Date Climbed: Nov 28, 2010
From the east, Maron Valley Rd Route
This road can be driven by 2-wheel drive vehicles but I found it to be basically a one lane road. Careful driving will get you to the top safely. I saw one border patrol vehicle and stopped and visited with him briefly. Windy and cloudy on top with views at times when there was a break in the clouds.
Dundeel - Dec 10, 2010 7:10 pm Date Climbed: Dec 5, 2010
Otay high
Otay Lakes Road was closed by a bad wreck just west of the mountain. I drove around via hwy 94 to the Minnewawa Rd. Watch for the encouraging messages someone has written on most of the roadside reflectors. The gate to the summit spur was open but I parked and walked so I could stretch my legs. CA P2k 15/163
PeterDee - Oct 9, 2010 7:32 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2010
Drive up
Went up the north side in a Subaru with 2 kids... information ericwillhite's report is super helpful. Inital gate is at extreme right of the parking lot. The drive up might not be appropriate for those afraid of heights. Totally doable, though. We hit the summit and then continued down the south/west side. That road was better/safer but a little confusing when we hit the bottom. Had to scramble a little to come out on Alta Rd., south of Kubler Ranch Rd. Otay Truck Trail west exit to Alta as it appears on Google Maps seems to be blocked off.
Did it on my motorcycle, does that count? I hate hiking peaks with roads to the top. I suppose I should come back with my mountain bike. Great views, lots of border patrol...
Easy drive and easy walkup. Ran across some friendly border patrol agents as well. Wildflower display was really nice and so were the views.
Iron Hiker - Dec 28, 2009 5:46 pm Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2009
Early morning drive
Drove up after dropping off my family at the SD airport. Saw nobody besides Border Patrol (nice guys!). Excellent visibility, all the way from Mt Baldy in the San Gabriels to (maybe) Picacho del Diablo in Baja. My little Ford Escort had absolutely no problem on the gravel road - it's one well-maintained route! Drove up from the west and descended the east side en route to the Laguna Mountains - both ways work well!
Dennis Poulin - Dec 13, 2009 8:31 pm Date Climbed: Mar 7, 2007
Drive Up
In the area on business, so drove up here one afternoon.
I rode my mountain bike from Alta Restaurant on the west side taking the Otay Mountain Truck Trail. About 2 hrs up and 25 min down. Saw over a dozen border patrol trucks/jeeps.
ADK - Feb 15, 2009 3:18 am Date Climbed: Feb 28, 2007
Fun Ride
Always enjoy taking a ride up Otay.
mlarkin2002 - Oct 11, 2008 7:39 pm Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2008
drive up
Quick drive up. Saw some border patrol vans looking for someone on the N slope, probably someone trying to enter the country illegally. Good views, nearly no "hiking" effort at all.
surgent - Oct 8, 2008 5:28 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2008
gimpilator - May 5, 2017 12:25 pm Date Climbed: Mar 3, 2017
70 Peaks In 30 DaysThis was the first summit of my month long solo peakbagging trip. It was the only drive up.
For photos and brief route descriptions see the trip report.
cab - Nov 25, 2013 12:05 pm Date Climbed: Nov 23, 2013
Drive Up - Minnewawa Truck TrailEasily driven road by most any vehicle and the road improves the higher you go up. Nice views from the top. I also hiked Bell Bluff and McGinty Mountain earlier in the day and drove up to Tecate Peak afterwards to get four SDC Peaks without too much effort.
ericnoel - Nov 10, 2013 6:58 pm Date Climbed: Nov 10, 2013
OtayHooray for Otay! Not really. Nice hazy view of downtown San Diego.
Bob Burd - Apr 18, 2012 2:03 am
Road hikeSometime before 1994. Weird to see Border Patrol along the way...
fallcolor - Feb 12, 2012 12:13 pm Date Climbed: May 1, 2011
Otay in the Sprngwalked up the road to the peak from the rv park on Hwy 94 with my brother in law...a good work-out and views to the west were fairly clear...
harryquach - Jun 2, 2011 12:06 pm Date Climbed: May 7, 2011
Hazy DayBad views hazy day, lots of border patrol around
WoundedKnee - Apr 21, 2011 12:46 pm Date Climbed: Apr 20, 2011
walked from rv campThe winter rains did a number on this road, and it was too gnarly for my rented Corolla. Got a nice 12 mile hike in, getting back just before dark. 3.5 hours.
kavak - Jan 5, 2011 11:25 am Date Climbed: Nov 28, 2010
From the east, Maron Valley Rd RouteThis road can be driven by 2-wheel drive vehicles but I found it to be basically a one lane road. Careful driving will get you to the top safely. I saw one border patrol vehicle and stopped and visited with him briefly. Windy and cloudy on top with views at times when there was a break in the clouds.
Dundeel - Dec 10, 2010 7:10 pm Date Climbed: Dec 5, 2010
Otay highOtay Lakes Road was closed by a bad wreck just west of the mountain. I drove around via hwy 94 to the Minnewawa Rd. Watch for the encouraging messages someone has written on most of the roadside reflectors. The gate to the summit spur was open but I parked and walked so I could stretch my legs. CA P2k 15/163
PeterDee - Oct 9, 2010 7:32 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2010
Drive upWent up the north side in a Subaru with 2 kids... information ericwillhite's report is super helpful. Inital gate is at extreme right of the parking lot. The drive up might not be appropriate for those afraid of heights. Totally doable, though. We hit the summit and then continued down the south/west side. That road was better/safer but a little confusing when we hit the bottom. Had to scramble a little to come out on Alta Rd., south of Kubler Ranch Rd. Otay Truck Trail west exit to Alta as it appears on Google Maps seems to be blocked off.
HeyItsBen - Aug 3, 2010 4:30 pm
Dual sportDid it on my motorcycle, does that count? I hate hiking peaks with roads to the top. I suppose I should come back with my mountain bike. Great views, lots of border patrol...
NavySeabee - Apr 5, 2010 12:56 pm Date Climbed: Apr 3, 2010
Otay Mtn Truck TrailEasy drive and easy walkup. Ran across some friendly border patrol agents as well. Wildflower display was really nice and so were the views.
Iron Hiker - Dec 28, 2009 5:46 pm Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2009
Early morning driveDrove up after dropping off my family at the SD airport. Saw nobody besides Border Patrol (nice guys!). Excellent visibility, all the way from Mt Baldy in the San Gabriels to (maybe) Picacho del Diablo in Baja. My little Ford Escort had absolutely no problem on the gravel road - it's one well-maintained route! Drove up from the west and descended the east side en route to the Laguna Mountains - both ways work well!
Dennis Poulin - Dec 13, 2009 8:31 pm Date Climbed: Mar 7, 2007
Drive UpIn the area on business, so drove up here one afternoon.
forjan - Apr 28, 2009 10:46 pm Date Climbed: Apr 28, 2009
Bike rideI rode my mountain bike from Alta Restaurant on the west side taking the Otay Mountain Truck Trail. About 2 hrs up and 25 min down. Saw over a dozen border patrol trucks/jeeps.
ADK - Feb 15, 2009 3:18 am Date Climbed: Feb 28, 2007
Fun RideAlways enjoy taking a ride up Otay.
mlarkin2002 - Oct 11, 2008 7:39 pm Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2008
drive upQuick drive up. Saw some border patrol vans looking for someone on the N slope, probably someone trying to enter the country illegally. Good views, nearly no "hiking" effort at all.
surgent - Oct 8, 2008 5:28 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2008
Easy, nice viewsNot a bad way to kill 3 hours of time.