Mt. Woodson Peak via Poway Lake

Ed and I went to Poway Lake to do a short 2 mile hike.  Along the way, we saw a turn off for Mt. Woodson peak.  Mt. Woodson is an 8 mile RT hike famous for this odd shaped boulder at the top nicknamed 'potato chip rock'.  We've been discussing this hike with Sue and Jessica since we got here.  The trail had been described as moderately strenuous; gaining 2300 feet in 3.5 miles.  We all wanted to do it together, but decided it was probably best not to do it because none of us are the hikers Ed is.  But when Ed & I passed the sign that said 3 miles...well 3 miles just isn't that far!!  So I said, lets just do it, we're here right??
THE-MOST-GRUELING-HIKE-EVER.  There is only two very small sections of the trail that level out enough to renew strength.  We had to stop OFTEN (on incline.)  For several minutes every time.  We persevered and after several hours reached the top.  Never again.

At the horizon is San Diego, Point Loma and Coronado Islands