North Fortuna

San Diego Hikes: North Fortuna via East Fortuna Staging Area

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Mission Trails Regional Park introduced the 5-Peak Challenge in 2015 in order to get hikers to explore more trails.  North Fortuna mountain can be accessed from both the west and east end of the park.  This hike is the suggested route up North Fortuna via East Fortuna Staging Area.

  • Starting Point: East Fortuna Staging Area, Equestrian Circle, Santee, CA 92071
  • Length: 3 miles each way
  • Elevation: 1,100 feet
  • Type: out-and-back with loop option

North Fortuna

You can find full information on the 5-Peak Challenge at our full guide to Mission Trails Regional Park.  Basically the 5-Peak Challenge was created because Cowles Mountain, the highest point in the city of San Diego, was too crowded.  The idea was to get hikers climbing the four other mountains in the park.

At 1,291 feet, North Fortuna is number three in elevation.  However, it is a longer hike than Cowles Mountain.  This hike is the suggested route in the official Mission Trails Regional Park 5-Peak Challenge guide.  For other routes up the mountain you can see our guide here.

The hike starts at East Fortuna Staging Area, directly off the Mast Blvd exit from highway 52.  There is a nice parking lot, picnic tables and a new ranger station that opened in February 2020 (right before COVID-19 closed the park down in March).

East Fortuna

From East Fortuna Staging Area there are two routes one can take to head up North Fortuna.  The main route is along the Perimeter Trail road.  This is on the left at the entrance to the parking lot.

East Fortuna
The main trail is on the left side of the parking lot

East Fortuna

The other route is along the trail in the back of the parking lot by the new ranger station.  Either way the two trails meet up about a half-mile into the hike.  For diversity one can do one trail on the way in and the other coming out.

East Fortuna
The second route by the new ranger station meets up with the main trail after about half a mile

East Fortuna

A short distance past where the two trails meet, the suggested route turns left and heads a short distance to Grasslands Loop Trail.  Turning right on Grasslands heads back to an intersection with Perimeter Trail.

East Fortuna
Either route from East Fortuna Staging Area meets on the North Fortuna Perimeter Trail

East Fortuna

It can be simpler to simply continue straight on Perimeter Trail.  This is actually shorter but does have a minor uphill section.  Once again, the trails meet at the same place, a large intersection of trails.

North Fortuna
The official route goes around this slight uphill portion in the Grasslands area but the straight ahead route is more direct
North Fortuna
The uphill from continuing straight on Perimeter Trail is mild compared with what is coming
North Fortuna
The suggested route is below to the left. This is from the shorter straight route on North Fortuna Perimeter Trail

North Fortuna

Turning right at the intersection will take you along North Fortuna Perimeter Trail.  This is NOT the suggested route but is another option for hiking up the mountain.  It is also possible to combine this with the suggested route to make a loop hike.

North Fortuna
Do NOT turn right. Go left away from North Fortuna to follow the suggested route.

Our guide to the North Fortuna Perimeter Trail is here.  It should be noted that this trail is significantly more difficult.  There are several steep up and down sections on Perimeter Trail.  The downhill sections can be particularly hazardous because there are no switchbacks.

For the suggested route, turn left at the intersection along Grasslands Loop.  At this point you are heading away from North Fortuna for about 0.2 miles.  A trail to the right splits off to Oak Canyon Trail.

North Fortuna
Turning left on Grasslands Loop is counter intuitive because it takes you away from the mountain before turning back at Oak Canyon.

North Fortuna

At this point the hike follows the Oak Canyon Trail for about half a mile.  The trail runs along a stream with some minor rock scrambling.  After a rain there will often be small waterfalls.  Oak Canyon Trail is one of the best hikes in the park and you can see our full guide here.

North Fortuna North Fortuna

North FortunaNorth Fortuna

Oak Canyon Trail meets up with Fortuna Saddle Trail right under the power lines that run through Mission Trails.  Oak Canyon continues to the right.  For North Fortuna it is a steep hike up Fortuna Saddle Trail parallel to the power line.

North Fortuna
Oak Canyon Trail heads to the right while Fortuna Saddle Trail bears left/straight up the mountain

North Fortuna

The 0.6 mile climb up Fortuna Saddle Trail is the steepest part of the hike.  At Fortuna Saddle the trail levels off and there is a major intersection.  From this point there are views of both the west and east ends of Mission Trails.

North Fortuna
Now the climbing part starts

North Fortuna

North Fortuna North Fortuna

To the left the trail heads up South Fortuna Mountain.  Straight ahead, the trail goes downhill towards the West Fortuna Staging area.  North Fortuna trail is clearly marked heading up hill to the right.

North Fortuna
Multiple trails meet on Fortuna Saddle under the power lines. All trails are well-marked.

North Fortuna

The final climb up North Fortuna is about half-a-mile.  Along the way there are some great 360-degree views.

North Fortuna North Fortuna

At the top there is a plaque.  If you want to officially complete the 5-Peak challenge take a selfie with the sign.

North Fortuna

From this point you simply go back the way you came.  For a great challenge, one can continue down North Fortuna Trail to create a loop along the north side of Mission Trails.  This portion of the hike is here.

For more hikes in Mission Trails Regional Park be sure and check out our full guide.

 

 

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