South Fortuna Mountain

"This is our last hike of the day. We started out by driving from Kwaay Paay to the trailhead. The beginning section through the plains is boring, but confusing. Then after all of the confusion on the plains we reached the 4 corners junction. After that we ascended the trail a bit to the junction with the North Fortuna Trail. We ascended up this steep trail to get to the summit of North Fortuna. It had a nice sign and some great views. So then after seeing the views we descended to Fortuna Saddle. The saddle was pretty boring and it only had a bench and some power lines.Then we ascended the not-so-steep trail to the summit of South Fortuna Mountain. The views from South Fortuna were mid and it also had a cool sign. Then we descended the Fortuna Stairs and then were at Butt Crack Rock. Then we went down to a small forest and then returned to the trailhead on the Clairmont Mesa Trail with some insane mud. " — lc444 • Jan 11, 2023

"Another big day today, bagging 7 more peaks from the SD 100 Peak Challenge (Derek's List). Started out by completed the Mission Trails 5 Peak Challenge (Cowles, Pyles, Kwaay Paay, North Fortuna and South Fortuna). Then on my way back I decided to complete Tooth Rock and Twin Peaks. Peaks 9 through 15 of the challenge. Total miles today 17.91 and 5,825 feet in elevation gain." — Philip-Yoho • Jan 5, 2021

"Started the day with plans of hiking all 5 peaks in the Mission Trails Regional Park in one day but I quickly wilted under the high temps. My new hiking partner put me to shame. Parked near the old dam and approached the peaks using the Oak Canyon Trail to the Fortuna Saddle Trail. We made our way up North Fortuna first, summited and made our way back down to the saddle then up to the summit of South Fortuna. We returned to the trailhead using the same route we had used up. Amazing views with very few other hikers. " — Mtstalker • Sep 17, 2019

"Completed the Mission Trails Five Peak Challenge in San Diego. Five peaks (Cowles Mountain, Pyles Mountain, Kwaay Paay, North Fortuna and South Fortuna) in one day. An added bonus of climbing Peak 1380 along the way to Pyles from Cowles." — Philip-Yoho • Dec 1, 2018

"May be difficult for younger children if they are not used to inclines or long distances. The stairway to heaven is amazing, but with lil ones, use extreme caution when getting to the top of the staircase, the trail is extremely narrow with small rock climbing. Was too nervous to ascend back down the stairs and took the saddle back to the visitors center. Trails here are not clearly marked and at some points made decesions on what tail to follow on a hunch. Coming down the saddle was extremely steep, be prepared to slide if you're not wearing hiking boots. Bring plenty of water and get there early on hot days. " — spr_kween • Sep 8, 2018

"I decided to run this before I really had all the details. I mean, it's a 1,000 ft peak. How hard could it be? ;-) Sunset was great from the peak. The run back was nice too, especially the dip into the cool air in the creek bed. (BTW, signage in this park is kinda nuts. If you're gonna put 13 names on the sign at a multi-trail intersection...how about some arrows?)" — benjineer • Feb 15, 2016

"2nd peak of 3-peak traverse; 3.7 mile ascent w/950' gain from Kwaay Paay(1,194') on KP Trail, Oak Cyn, Fortuna Mtn East and South trails. Nice class 1 morning hike with water crossing. From here hiked over to Fortuna Mountain(1,291')." — BradStemm • Mar 16, 2014