Simon Preserve – 100 Peaks of San Diego

Peak Name: Ramona Benchmark
Distance: 3.39 miles
Date: October 29, 2017 (June 8, 2019)
Summit: 2,2125 feet

The trailhead to the Ramona Benchmark looks like a dirt path in a vacant lot between houses. After a couple minutes of hiking, you will come to the entrance sign to Simon County Park.

From there, I followed the wide trail leads up to the grassy ridge that is Ramona Peak. Soon, you will begin your ascent to the ridgeline. Once at the top you can follow the trail to the north end of the ridgeline.

Once there you can sit and enjoy the views from the bench. There is no benchmark to be found nor register. Looking around you can be thankful that this section of Ramona was not developed. This would be a summit that I would not want to do in the summer.

Update: June 8, 2019

One of the advantages of doing this challenge again is for many of the peaks, I have a sense of trail and the amount of effort it takes to reach the summit. Another factor is where the peak is. Since the heat in Anza-Borrego postponed my first attempt, I also needed to be aware of the heat for many of the inland peaks. Ramona Benchmark fell into that category.

Since I had an event in the afternoon, a short hike was exactly what I needed and this one fit that perfectly. The entire hike is just 3.5 miles and the actual elevation gain is around 880 feet. The June Gloom had been chased away as I quietly crossed the grasslands toward the service road to the ridgeline. A few bunnies scampered about in the early morning light.

The service road worked it is way upward, I was concerned that the rains might have rutted the road. I was pleasantly surprised to find it is good condition.