It’s always a pleasant surprise when I discover a trail in a place that I’ve visited or ed by dozens of times.
I find it happens relatively often in San Diego, where natural spaces can be sandwiched between urban and residential areas, with trailheads seemingly hidden unless you’re looking for them. This feels especially true of the city’s canyons.
This week, I learned about the moderately difficult, half-mile trail through the Mission Hills Open Space, located across from Pioneer Park. This trail keeps to itself — it’s only marked with a sign advising visitors about the city’s open space regulations — but I’m glad to now know about it. It made for a perfect sunset walk.
Depending on the map you use, it’s called both the Robyn’s Egg Trail and the Monastery Trail. The first name, which you’ll see on Google Maps, felt fitting during my hike, with birds and other critters darting about on a spring evening.
Despite its short length — it only took me about 15 minutes to walk through — the canyon trail is rugged, so be sure to wear good hiking shoes and consider bringing a trekking pole.
To begin, park on one of the residential streets near the trailhead, which is located directly west of the Mission Hills tennis courts on Washington Place. I parked on Randolph Street. Hikers could also park at Pioneer Park.
The trail begins with a descent into the canyon. Hikers can see homes above the canyon, but the trail feels mostly immersed in nature.
In the first few minutes, hikers will encounter a large fallen tree looming over the trail; they’ll have to duck beneath it to continue on. The trail becomes washed out and rocky around the 0.2-mile mark and remains slightly complicated for the next section.
Even with the tougher hiking, the route is peaceful, especially with blooming flowers lining the trail, including evening primrose and the nonnative iceplant. Near the end of the trail, the view opens up to show Coronado Island and Cabrillo National Monument beyond it.
The trail ends at Titus Street, and hikers can walk back along the trail or take residential streets to return to their vehicle. I chose to walk southeast on Titus Street and then follow Pringle Street northeast. It was an uphill climb, but Mission Hills is a beautiful neighborhood to through, so it felt worth it. Once I reached Washington Place, I followed it back to the trailhead. My final route was about one mile long.
