Hiking Mt. Woodson Trail To Potato Chip Rock

We had seen a ton of photos on Instagram over the years about Potato Chip Rock near San Diego California. These photos had sparked our interest because of the rock’s ridiculous cantilever overhang which is still strong enough to hold the weight of those that dare to walk out and stand near its edge. Their are two trails to reach the rock near the summit of the mountain, and for this trip we chose the east approach.

Even though it was a popular Sunday afternoon with perfect 70 degree sunny weather, there were plenty of spots to park along the side of the Highway 67 road. The trail starts near the Mount woodson fire station close to Mt Woodson Rd. You should know that this is a popular hike so there will be lots of cars, and likely lots of people on the trails and at the final rock. Your trek up the mountain will for the most part be on a paved road. Be prepared that this is a moderately strenuous hike because it’s pretty much uphill for the entire time. Switchbacks and curves wind you through areas decorated with lavish boulders and plant life with fantastic views of the surrounding areas. These are great spots to rest and get some water.

Hiking Distance: 4 Miles
Hiking Time: 3 Hours
Elevation Gain: 1,324 Feet
Class: 3 of 5
Difficulty: 3 of 5
Exposure: 2 of 5
Danger Level: 2 of 5
Pace: Slow

This is definitely a dog friendly trail, and you will probably run into groups of rock climbers making their way to the top of some of the rocks and mountain areas along the trek. When you reach the antennas at the peak you are quite close to finding the Potato Chip Rock. It will be off to your right side, but there will likely be a line of people waiting to take photos on the rock so you won’t miss it. We challenge you to try and take some funny, creative, or outside the box photos with the famous rock. See some of our favorite below: