COVID-19: At REI, we encourage you to get outside responsibly. Stay local, avoid recreational travel, practice social distancing and check ahead for area and facility closures. Learn More
Trail Run Project Logo
Trail Guide
Best Trails & Photos
Forum
Get the app

Nighthawk Trail

Intermediate
  3.0 ( 3 ) Favorite
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Southern California
  4. …San Diego
  5. Black Mountain Open Space
Previous Next

Trail

1.4 mile 2.2 kilometer point to point
87% Runnable
Intermediate

Elevation

Ascent: 474' 144 m
Descent: -30' -9 m
High: 1,254' 382 m
Low: 810' 247 m

Grade

Avg Grade: 7% (4°)
Max Grade: 18% (10°)

Dogs

Leashed
Driving directions Take a virtual tour
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

Trail shared by Craig Pfaff

Weather

Current trail conditions

Update Conditions
Unknown See History

Popular runs nearby

Navigate on-trail with our free app

iOS App Store Android App Store

“Doubletrack trail from Hilltop Community Park.”

— Craig Pfaff
GPX File

Features Views

Closed dusk till dawn. No services after leaving Hilltop Park.

Description

This rocky doubletrack trail takes you from Hilltop Community Park to the service road near the top of Black Mountain. This is an alternate route to taking the service road to the top and offers access to many side trails to explore the rest of the mountain.

Flora & Fauna

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Cliff Swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota), Mexican Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brazilensis), Common Raven (Corvus corax)

Run this trail?

We need help with the following missing trail information:

Need to Know, Runner Notes

Is something wrong? Let us know. Have photos to share? Help fellow runners know what's here.

Contacts

Land Manager: City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation

Rate This Trail

Rate Quality


   Clear Rating

Rate Difficulty

Share This Trail

Check In

Check-Ins

Feb 24, 2019
Jay Salazar
Very rocky if you’re running (65% of the trail) with many potential ankle breakers... Nice steep grade with beautiful views though. 4.5mi
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 3 votes

#4

in Black Mountain Open Space

#20391

Overall
  3.0 from 3 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
33%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#4

in Black Mountain Open Space

#2,253

in California

#20,391

Overall
5 Views Last Month
348 Since Jul 10, 2016
Intermediate
0%
100%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Black Mountain, framed by clouds, viewed from the start of the Nighthawk Trail
Apr 16, 2018 near Poway, CA
One of many signs that point to side trails
Mar 25, 2019 near Fairban…, CA
Start of the Nighthawk Trail.
Mar 25, 2019 near Poway, CA
Foggy morning hike.
Nov 2, 2016 near Poway, CA

0 Comments

Trail Run Project is part of the REI Co-op family,
where a life outdoors is a life well lived.

Shop REI Running