Hiking is a fairly popular activity here in San Diego, as it is the home to many spectacular scenic views and trails. One of the well-known hikes that many San Diegans participate in is the trail leading up to the peak of CowlesMountain. Its popularity is astounding and demonstrates that many people are getting out and being active.

  However, its popularity has also lead to a damaging side effect: the Cowles Mountain trail is taking a beating from the vast amount of hikers. To solve this problem, the Mission Trails Regional Park program has created a way to disperse the hikers among different hiking areas. This solution is called the Five Peaks Challenge, as it encourages hikers to hike all five peaks in the Mission Trails Park, which are Pyles Peak, Kwaay Paay, South Fortuna, North Fortuna and Cowles Mountain.

  According to the San Diego Union Tribune, this program is intended to decrease the foot traffic concentrated on Cowles Mountain, which is overcrowded, and allow the trail to recover. This will also allows hikers to possibly find a new favorite trail other than Cowles Mountain (Sandiegouniontribune.com).

  Completing this challenge comes with a reward. According to the Mission Trails Regional Park Organization, each hiker who climbs all five peaks will receive an official 5-Peak Challenge certificate, logo pin and 10 dollar coupon for the well known  camping store, Adventure-16.

   To authenticate the completion of the challenge, the hiker must take a selfie at each summit’s sign and email it to [email protected]. Once verified, the hiker will receive the prizes (mtrp.org). The real reward that comes out of this challenge, however, is not the prizes themselves but the wonderful experience in getting outside for a good cause and earning some pride in oneself.

  The challenge has no time limit. The hiker just has to complete the hike for each peak at his/her own pace; this adds up to a total of 11 miles. Almost 900 hikers have completed this challenge so far, and the number is growing with every weekend (mtrp.org).

  Junior Ofri Avgil values traveling and enjoying the outdoors, and seeks to try the Five Peaks Challenge for herself. “I like hiking because it allows me to feel free and able to travel infinitely without stopping,” said Avgil. She thinks this challenge would not only benefit the environment, but also provide the fulfilling experience of achieving a goal.

   “I would be interested in completing the Five Peaks Challenge, because I want to test myself and conquer something many people can’t,” said Avgil.