Potato Chip Rock
Potato Chip Rock
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
175 reviews
Excellent
117
Very good
44
Average
12
Poor
0
Terrible
2
M S
Columbus, OH66 contributions
Nov 2019 • Friends
Water, bring water. If you are starting from Poway you’ll have to pay for parking. Great views all the up from the lake to Potato Chip Rock. It’s uphill the entire way. It was pretty crowded at potato chip. Keep going up the mountain a few hundred yards and you’ve made the summit of Mt Woodson. My fitness app shows the round trip at 7.5 miles with 2,400 feet of elevation gain. Please don’t exhaust your dog on this trail. I passed several pets that appeared overheated.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Creeping_Death_LA
Los Angeles, CA4,517 contributions
May 2021
We parked at the Highway 67 entrance to hike the 4 mile asphalt trail all uphill. Free parking along this speedway. The weather was gloomy, chilly, and sprinkling so we got wet or sweaty not sure which or both. It's a very popular route and you will be in the company of many people. Once we arrived at the Potato Chip I decided not to jump because I was already slipping on the rock because it was sprinkling. It's best to climb it when it's dry or risk slipping into the crevice.
Written May 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason G
Baltimore, MD703 contributions
Aug 2020
Pretty hike, even on the shorter 4 mile route up the access road. People seem to be pretty courteous and helpful with getting pics at the rock so the wait didn't seem that long even though it was probably longer in reality than I realized. Getting out to the ledge isn't as difficult as coming back down, but both require a bit of scrambling and nerves at times, so be sure to have good shoes and a bit of a sense of adventure.
Written August 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrMarek
1,246 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
We stayed in SD & Ubered it to the Mt. Woodson parking lot (reservoir trail entrance) $40.
You walk around the reservoir at the beginning and start ascending after that. Very dry but well marked trail. We brought plenty of water but I was sucking on Halls candy all the way up & drank very little. Up & down with pics took 4 hours. The boulders give the trail character & the views are spectacular! We were lucky, we had the potato chip to ourselves for 19 min when we arrived.
You walk around the reservoir at the beginning and start ascending after that. Very dry but well marked trail. We brought plenty of water but I was sucking on Halls candy all the way up & drank very little. Up & down with pics took 4 hours. The boulders give the trail character & the views are spectacular! We were lucky, we had the potato chip to ourselves for 19 min when we arrived.
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cyberdiver2018
Banff National Park, Canada50 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Rocky but doable hike of about 3.5 miles one way depending on your start location. Four and five star ratings between intermediate to advanced. A spectacular view of Poway valley well worth the effort. One you’ll want to repeat again and again. The super unusual natural formation is one of a kind. Pictures are a must!
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheFarkman
Vancouver, Canada230 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
This is a very good hike but be prepared for some uphill. It is a 2000 foot climb and if you are not in decent shape, you will be gassed at the top. The actual Potato Chip rock is not that great imo, but the hike itself is good. Good views. All trails said it is about 4 hours round trip. We did it in 3 hours.
Written March 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl J
30 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
What a great hike! I started from the east, outside of Romano, which is the shorter of the hikes. Started before 7a due to heat and was really glad I did. The views are amazing on this paved trail (actually a road used by the power company, though I only encountered them once on the road.)
it was a little confusing when I reached the summit, because my Maps program said I was at potato chip rock, however, it was nowhere to be found. Had to go down to the right and keep going down, finally met up with some other hikers who said keep going , and there was!!
It was a little challenging, due to the steepness. I did not go out onto the rock (I don’t like heights). but I watched other folks go out and they seem to enjoy it.
Did it two days in a row, and hope to do it one more time before I leave town.
it was a little confusing when I reached the summit, because my Maps program said I was at potato chip rock, however, it was nowhere to be found. Had to go down to the right and keep going down, finally met up with some other hikers who said keep going , and there was!!
It was a little challenging, due to the steepness. I did not go out onto the rock (I don’t like heights). but I watched other folks go out and they seem to enjoy it.
Did it two days in a row, and hope to do it one more time before I leave town.
Written October 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffrey M
8 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
I am a reserve park ranger at Lake Poway and would like hikers to know there are two different trails to reach Potato Chip Rock. One can take up to four hours and the other just two hours, so it can make a difference if they are pinched for time. The longer trail starts at the Lake Poway parking lot and is easily marked, but please note the park closes at dusk and gates are locked. If your car gets locked in you may have to come back the next morning to pick it up. The shorter trail is easy to get to and is only a two hour hike. To get there, use a GPS app for directions to the CAL FIRE Ramona Fire Station, on Hwy. 67, which is near the trailhead. if you don't have an app, here are directions. From Lake Poway, take Lake Poway Road a half mile from the lake to Espola Road. Turn left on Espola Road and drive 2.8 miles to Poway Road. Take a left and drive 2.6 miles to Hwy. 67. Take another left on Hwy. 67 and drive 3 miles, turning left on Mt. Woodson Road. Park near the CAL FIRE Ramona Fire Station. If parking spots are filled, go back on Hwy. 67, turn right and find a parking spot on the highway. There are usually plenty of hikers' cars parked on this section of the highway so not hard to find. The longer trail has a bigger payoff because of the views going up and down. These views include the lake, dam and sometimes the coast. The shorter trail just has views at the top of the trail. Hope this has been hopeful.
Written November 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth G
Poway, CA8 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Most people know about the paved road up from the 67 and the trail from Lake Poway, but the most beautiful and easiest way is the Fry-Koegel Trail. It starts off the 67, just north of the Mt. Woodson paved (and very steep) route, but takes the back way around. Park behind where the cars are parked for the Mt. Woodson route. You get incredible views, manzanita trees, chapparal, and shaded areas. It is much shorter than the Lake Poway trail and easier than the Mt. Woodson way. We took the F-K trail up to Potato Chip Rock and then went back the MW paved road, which took us back to where we parked (between the 2 trailheads). Here are the coordinates for the Fry-Koegel trailhead N33 00.670 W116 57.270.
Written April 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Da M
Irvine, CA164 contributions
Nov 2016
I have been here before, and I remember the narrow tail with bunch of rocks on the steep uphill. It was an quite exercise up. But this time where the google map guided us, it was a paved road all the way up! Ha! It took us a little over an hour (we stopped a few times and took some pictures). And here we saw a huge line to be on the potato chip rock to take pictures.
This "cheating" way can be accessed from 67, Mt. Woodson rd. You park on the street (67).
This "cheating" way can be accessed from 67, Mt. Woodson rd. You park on the street (67).
Written November 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is potato chip rock trail still open considering Covid-19.
Written May 18, 2020
First pls check the Lake Poway website put up by City of Poway. (Google ‘Lake Poway City of Poway’) Lake Poway is the start of the longer trail to the Potato Chip Rock. According to the website the park has reopened with COVID-19 restriction. Pls read up what those restrictions are. That said, pre COVID-19 lockdown, the trail to the rock and location of the rock itself was popular and at times swamped with crowds with folks climbing onto the rock, therefore I would advise reading up on those restrictions and exercising good judgement and caution if visiting. Also you can call their office to get more advise and info: 858-668-4772. Check the website again before visiting as things can change.
Written May 19, 2020
How crowded does Potato Chip Rock get? Are the crowds so bad that it is unenjoyable?
Written January 5, 2019
We only met like 10 people on the track and maybe a few more when we arrived at the potato chip.And that was in the high season(summer)
Written January 6, 2019
How crowded does Potato Chip Rock get? Are the crowds so bad that it is unenjoyable?
Written January 5, 2019
It gets pretty crowded and it’ll definitely take you 20-30 minutes to get your picture taken, but everyone is really friendly and willing to help out one another since everyone hiked to get the same shot.
Written January 5, 2019
Only the pavement trail on the Mt. Wilson entrance. It's still going uphill but it's good for stroller.
Written August 7, 2018
Would you recommend relying on Uber to get to and from this place? I will be heading there from the Mission Hills area.
Written April 30, 2018
Personally, I wouldn’t. Cell service for us was spotty once we started to hike up the hills and nonexistent once we were near the rock formation. Also, it’s basically a path off of a main road, you park along the main road then walk there. No actual parking lot, unless that’s changed in the last 2 years. Good luck and enjoy the views!
Written May 4, 2018
How early should I start hiking to avoid the crowds in mid-July on a week day?
Written April 30, 2018
5:30 AM will be good if the parking is open.
Weekdays parking is free.
Weekdays crowd will be less.
July can be very hot and make sure to apply sun screen and carry plenty of water since the trail is open with not much shade?
Written April 30, 2018
si hay estacionamiento, si entras por el lago
Written September 22, 2017
No se, entramos por el lado opuesto del lago !! El trayecto es más corto por este lado pero no hay estacionamiento y esta sobre una calle poco peligrosa
Written September 23, 2017
As long as you dress appropriately, it should be fine, we started in long sleeves and went to tank tops and then back to long sleeves....weather changed considerably during the day
Written March 13, 2017
We saw kids of all ages, and even parents pushing strollers. That being said, I believe it depends on their personality and attitude on the day. The hike up from Hwy. 67 is very steep and can be trying. If they are an "Are we there yet?" type, I might chose another activity.
Written January 19, 2017
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