Mt. Helix and Mt. Soledad (Los Angeles, La Mesa: house, neighborhoods, dangerous)

[Jehjeh]

Dumb question--is it safe to walk up the roads to the top of Mt. Helix and Mt. Soledad? I haven't been to Mt. Soledad for a while and have never been to Mt. Helix. I'd like to go, but I don't have a car. All the pictures I've seen of Mt. Helix show a narrow road with no real shoulder or sidewalk, and Mt. Soledad's road was fairly steep, if I remember correctly (from about 20 years ago--told you it was a long time), though I would think if a car could get up the roads a walking person would be just fine, as long as there were sidewalks or a wide-enough shoulder.

Is walking up to the top of each feasible or not? Dumb idea, or totally fine and normal? Is it only for people in really good shape? Thanks.

[Sassberto]

Mt soledad is city of SD so it has sidewalks. No sidewalks on Mt Helix, it's mostly unincorporated SD cty or City of La Mesa.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by Jehjeh

Dumb question--is it safe to walk up the roads to the top of Mt. Helix and Mt. Soledad? I haven't been to Mt. Soledad for a while and have never been to Mt. Helix. I'd like to go, but I don't have a car. All the pictures I've seen of Mt. Helix show a narrow road with no real shoulder or sidewalk, and Mt. Soledad's road was fairly steep, if I remember correctly (from about 20 years ago--told you it was a long time), though I would think if a car could get up the roads a walking person would be just fine, as long as there were sidewalks or a wide-enough shoulder.

Is walking up to the top of each feasible or not? Dumb idea, or totally fine and normal? Is it only for people in really good shape? Thanks.

Mt Helix has no shoulder and yes it is both narrow and steep. There are people that do walk to far right against the stone wall as it curves up though. I am not sure about 20 years ago, but there is a car park up at the summit which tends to get full on a nice clear day.

Spectacular views from up there, its definitely special.

[AADAD]

Don't use Fuerte Drive. Take the back roads and wander to the top.

[T. Damon]

I've hopped in my car with my little dog to check out most of SD's neighborhoods on foot that I haven't walked to from my house (about a four mile radius) because I think that's the only way to get a good feel for them, so I would consider myself a very fit and adventurous walker. Mt. Helix is amongst the most un-walkable and dangerous places I have ever been in the city. Huge SUVs driven by distracted housewives on narrow winding roads. I would not recommend even attempting it. Other than the nice view from the top it's a completely dead and unapproachable neighborhood.

[Jehjeh]

Thanks. Sounds like I can safely walk up Mt. Soledad, at least. I'm not in the best shape, so dealing with just getting up the hill will be enough--never mind trying to hug a wall on a narrow road 600 feet up.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by T. Damon

Other than the nice view from the top it's a completely dead and unapproachable neighborhood.

Also known as PRIVATE. The same reason why the Hollywood Hills are so prime despite being minutes from the rest of Los Angeles.

That means
- no traffic
- no litter
- no helicopters
- no buses
- no bass

Everyone coming through that neighborhood belongs there.

And it's literally 5 minutes from downtown La Mesa.

[hitman619]

Originally Posted by T. Damon

Huge SUVs driven by distracted housewives on narrow winding roads. I would not recommend even attempting it. Other than the nice view from the top it's a completely dead and unapproachable neighborhood.

Conrad St, off of Fuerte
one of the most unsafest streets in the east county.
Nothing like seeing a big body 7 series BMW riding your a$$ down a hill.

[Jehjeh]

Well I found out Google has street view pics for Hillside/Via Siena/Via Capri up to Mt. Soledad. No sidewalks for most of it, but the streets seem okay enough--even if narrow, winding enough so that cars can't really speed--except for the last little bit at the top. But I also found other webpages where people mentioned walking up there. Hmm.

I'm fairly out of shape, as I mentioned, so when it comes to walks like this, I have to plan ahead.

[sdurbanite]

If you are looking for a mountain to climb, why not do Cowles Mt. at Mission Trails Park? It's a nice hike without having to worry about cars whizzing by.