Mt. Woodson facts for kids
Woodson Mountain, also known as Mt. Woodson, is a mountain located near Poway, California. It is widely known for a very special rock formation called Potato Chip Rock, which sits west of the mountain's summit.
Quick facts for kids Woodson Mountain |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,881 ft (878 m) |
| Naming | |
| Native name | Error {{native name}}: an IETF language tag as parameter {{{1}}} is required (help) |
| Geography | |
 Woodson Mountain
Location in California
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A Look Back at Woodson Mountain
The native Kumeyaay people called this mountain Ewiiy Hellyaa. This name means 'Mountain of the Moonlit Rocks'. They believed it was a powerful place where the Moon rested. Old stories also connect the mountain to a mythical rabbit. Another tale is about Toyapai, a giant spirit from Kumeyaay legends. He supposedly stepped on the mountain's southern side on his way to the coast.
Early settlers passing through the area called it Cobbleback Peak. Later, the mountain was renamed Woodson Mountain. This was to honor Dr. Marshall Clay Woodson. He was a dentist who moved to the area in 1895.
In the 2010s, Woodson Mountain became very popular. This happened because Potato Chip Rock became famous on social media. Many people saw pictures of the rock on platforms like Instagram.
All About Potato Chip Rock
Potato Chip Rock is found near the top of Woodson Mountain. It sits at an elevation between 2,700 and 2,800 feet. The hike to reach this famous rock usually takes about three to four hours. The rock itself is about 100 yards below the mountain's very top.
One popular way to get to the rock is by hiking from the Lake Poway trailhead. This round trip hike is about 6.6 miles long. There are also two other popular paths that start on the east side of Mount Woodson.
- A shorter route begins from free parking areas along Route 67. This path follows Mt. Woodson Road up to the rock. It is a 3.75-mile round-trip hike. This route is paved but very steep.
- The Fry-Kogel trail is the third way to reach the rock. This path is about 4 miles long each way.
The rock itself is very thin and more than 7 feet long. It looks like a giant potato chip that is about to break off.
In 2017, Poway Mayor Steve Vaus played an April Fools' Day prank using the rock. He tweeted that part of the rock had broken off. He even added a picture as "proof" for the joke.
Also along the trail from Lake Poway to Potato Chip Rock, you can find Sandcrawler Rock. This rock is named because it looks a lot like the Sandcrawler vehicles from the Star Wars movies.
