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    Cuyamaca Peak

    4.4 (32 reviews)

    Cuyamaca Peak Photos

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    Kim R.

    Beautiful hike, did the trail up to the summit in the snow and it was amazing. Trail was partially cleaned which is understandable. It was nice to experience a change of scenery in San Diego. Being from the east coast I loved it! Campground is very clean. Staff was nice. Couple cabins to rent Dress really warm wear gloves the temp drops as you het higher and it's a bit windy.

    Paved all the way
    William S.

    "I've been waiting, for a view like you" I thought this place was included in the National Park Adventure Pass, but sadly not. It is part of a California State Park Pass, which is much more expensive (at least 100 bucks more...) "That's gonna have to be a no from me dawg." Located almost an 1 hr east in the Descanso area, this easy hike is paved but goes straight up. The impact on your legs on the descent ruins my hiking vibe, but thats okay. 10 bucks to park in the campground area. There are restrooms at the trailhead area. Started around 8am and summited (6512 ft) in less than 2 hours. You could use trekking poles to save your legs. There is not much shade for the majority of the hike. I would start early if I were you. The landscape shows alot of dead trees from a wildfire more than a decade ago (2003.) The top was beautiful, and you can spot some wildlife and pretty flowers here. Saw a rabbit scurry around and lizards doing some sunbathing. Towards the very end, some pine trees survived the fire, and you can imagine what this place used to look like. 6 miles of hiking and about 3 hours total time out here. I am probably not going to come back for a while due to the steep parking fee. It is nice to see the plants and grass growing post fire.

    The peak
    Lisa W.

    Picture a beautiful mountain top with big rocks where you can sit and enjoy the fabulous view of San Diego because Cuyamaca is the second highest peak in SD at 6,512 ft... Reality: picture what looks like an abandoned radio tower with wood and trash and graffiti everywhere. We were greeted at the top with a dirty diaper (who throws a dirty diaper at the top?! Seriously people, have respect for nature) and a swarm of flies due to the dirtiness of the top. Oh yes and the smell of old stanky poop. Not what we imagined as Cuyamaca once used to be a very beautiful hike but due to the Cedar fire in 2003 that burned almost all of their big pines and oak tree left it looking scarred and bare. You can see new growth as small pine trees poke itself from the ruins. I can imagine 15 years ago it looking like a real forest and magical! What a site that would have been. The hike is all paved to the top, which makes it easy on your feet. Going up is all uphill and watch out for fire ants. We went on a hot day and it was a bad idea because the sun beats on your back. There wasn't a lot of shade until you get closer to the top. To get to the trail we went through the campsites and cut through at campsite 69 where the bathroom was located at. It took us about 3 hours and it's about a 5.6 mile hike. Since the top was so disgusting we walked about 5 minutes below the top and sat on some rocks and had a better view and smell. I wish they had some rangers to maintain the cleanliness of the hike... Or at least a trash can so disrespectful people will throw their used diapers in the trash and teenagers would stop graffitiing the place. It sucks that we had to see Cuyamaca like that. However we did love the campgrounds and booked a campsite in a few weeks and will be doing a different trail, fingers crossed that we won't see another dirty diaper!

    Cecilia S.

    Distance round trip: ~ 6 miles Time: ~ 3 hours Difficulty: Easy. Paved trail. Constant incline. Not a lot of shade. We took the paved emergency vehicle trail up to the top of Cuyamaca Peak. It's the only trail that allows puppies, so it was kind of our only option. We parked at Paso Picacho Picnic & Campgrounds (there was a parking/park fee per vehicle, but I don't really remember how much. I was to say it was maybe $10?). It was a little difficult to find the trail head, but after wandering around for a bit and asking a few other people, we finally arrived at Camp 69 and the trail starts right about there on your left side - opposite of the restrooms. The incline isn't too steep, but it does go uphill pretty constantly. We used this hike as our first trial hike with all our gear on our backs as we are training for Mt. Whitney. Because it is all paved, we didn't have to worry too much about footing. Our main focus was to get an idea of how it felt like to go uphill with 35-40 pounds on our backs. The total trip was about 6 miles, elevation gain of about 1700 ft, and it took us about 3 hours with multiple resting stops for our pup. I killed a 3L hydration bladder easily. The views are absolutely stunning. There was a pretty significant forest fire that happened in the area a few years ago. A lot of the brush are beginning to grow back, but there's definitely still evidence of the fire all throughout the trail. It just makes the scenery hauntingly beautiful. There wasn't a whole lot of shade in May 2017. It was about 65 degrees, sunny, with a slight breeze when we started. However, when we got to the top at 6500 ft, it felt more like it was in the 50s, breezy, and quite chilly. I'm glad I had a long sleeve with me. By the time we got back down to the campsite, it felt like it was in the mid 70s. There are also tons of other side trails, but they are not dog friendly. Overall, if you're just looking for a quick day hike, I would definitely recommend Cuyamaca! I would love to come back and explore some of the other unpaved trailed. Pssst.. Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen! I also brought bug spray too just in case, but we didn't have to use it in May. Lastly, always pack out what you bring in!

    Jireh A.

    New Year's Eve Snowy Hike. One of the best hiking trails in San Diego. Even though, it was snowy and about 7.7 miles loop back to the campground parking lot, the top is worth reaching. There are other ways to reach the peak, for instance a shorter uphill route about 2 miles from the campground. It is nice that this is my first time hiking on a snowy and muddy road. I saw a fox too! Definitely a must trail snowy or summer season!

    Tall pines towards the end.
    Joel A.

    One of the best hikes in the county. The views are rewarding. The trail is all paved so i feel like that makes it a bit more difficult and harder on your feet and legs. You will have to pay $10 for day use at paso picacho camp ground so might as well make a day out of it and plan a nice picnic at the Campground. Some people say this is a difficult hike but thats all depending on level of fitness i guess. There is a portable bathroom up there. No water except at campground so make sure you carry enough water. Towards the last 2 miles you walk through high pines so it makes it even more beautiful. Most of this area was all burned down in the tragic Cedar Fire in 2003. There is alot of wildlife here and mountain lion activity. If you plan to hike later in the day (dawn or night) i would carry bear spray in case of a mountain lion. Nothing to be afraid of but safety is always better. Make sure to follow @sandiegohikers on instagram!

    Stephanie Z.

    I love this hike! Today was my 2nd visit to hike Cuyamaca peak. The 1st time I came, I had no idea where the trailhead was for this hike. I didn't even see the mountain I was hiking. I had read on the all trails app to start at Azalea Glen trail which is what I did... but it appeared to end... thought this was a loop. Idk. I was so confused. I sat on a bench looking this up online and found an article written by the hiking guy. He mentioned the trailhead was inside Paso Picacho campground next to campsite #69. So I went back the way I came in and went through the camp site areas until I found it. (Fell in love with Paso Picacho camp grounds btw....and I will camp there soon!). Anyway, I took the service road in out and back. Saw some other trails that met up to it or that I could take but I was so scared of getting lost that I just stayed on the svc road. At first there is not much shade. The wildfire from 2003 damage is quite sad. As you got up more, you were met by some gorgeous trees that made me feel like I wasn't in SoCal anymore. In my opinion, it was def a "moderate" hike. There is some construction up top but the hilltop views are around the tractor/electrical building they had. The views from over over 6k in elevation was amazing! This is the 2nd highest peak in San Diego county. Btw, there are bathrooms at trailhead and there was a port o potty at the top that's probably for the construction workers but it didn't appear to be locked . I also didn't try it though. Wear sunscreen for the non shaded areas and bring "off spray". The flys made today's hike unenjoyable because they were all over us bugging us! I did not experience this last time I came. Also, if you arrive before the ranger gets there, fill out the envelope and drop your $10 in the drop box. They will check you when you leave!

    Jack R.

    Wow. Just wow. This instantly became my favorite hike in San Diego. I wanted to get some actual elevation on a hike, so in my research I discovered Cuyamaca Peak. Though it is actually the second-highest summit in the county of San Diego, the other (Hot Springs Mountain) is on a reservation, and is not always accessible to the public. After making the drive out to the Julian/Cuyamaca area, park at the Paso Picacho Campground. There is an $8 fee at the entrance gate for day-use parking, but I'm telling you right now, it's worth it! Start the hike near campsite 69 and head up the fire access road to the top. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Walking along a fire access road? How can THIS be your favorite peak in SD?" Let me share with you the top two reasons... 1. This hike is a steady and relentless incline. Even though you are walking on hard ground or pavement most of the time, you will most certainly get a good workout. Your legs should be in prime condition when undertaking this trail. If not, they WILL be by the end of it! If you've got bad knees, or need assistance, some trekking poles would not be a bad idea. 2. The view at the top is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. As you finally crest the summit, you'll most likely get hit by a gust of wind, and experience a bite of cold--typically unexpected in San Diego. Find yourself a high spot and take in the majestic and expansive views of the entire county. As a matter of fact, on a clear day you can see not only San Diego County, but Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles county as well! For some added fun, bring some binoculars with you to the top. The view is out-of-this world, and is the most impressive I've seen in San Diego. Summit elevation is 6,512 feet, with an overall elevation gain of about 1,700 feet. The hike is 5.6 miles there-and-back, and is not for the faint of heart. Or leg. Expect it to take 3-4 hours of your day, even more if you spend a lot of time at the summit like I did. For a truly remarkable view, a fantastic workout, and a chance to see that it actually DOES get cold in San Diego sometimes, grab some buddies and head up this mountain. You can thank me later...

    Made it! i'm so happy! :-)
    Sue G.

    This is one of the best hikes i've done and as of now the hardest. We went through the Azalea Trail Loop and then passed the Azalea Springs, then the Fire road and then it felt like we've been walking forever until we reached the peak and it felt so rewarding. The azalea trail is great for pictures and it's well shaded. It was a rainy day but it comes and goes so it was ok to get wet. The Fire road i think is a shorter way to get to the peak so i would really recommend taking the Azalea trail to get a good workout. I've never imagined having blisters on my ankle but it happened thank goodness i brought my flipflops with me. The fire road is paved so if you have knee issues you better take your knee supplements and maybe wear a knee compression sleeve to help out especially walking back down.

    vanessa c.

    Some friends and I hiked this trail on Saturday, June 11. The weather was in the low 70's and there was a great breeze. Having hiked this trail for over 20 years, I was really surprised, yet relieved, to see how beautiful it still looked. The result of the Cedar Creek fire is still apparent. Many trees are still charred and it appears as though cleanup is still being done on this trail. I am happy to report that the landscape has never looked greener and the new growth is abundant. This hike is a must-see; the views are amazing and the scenery is other worldly. If you desire a hike with minimal people, this is your hike. We began our hike at 9:30 AM and arrived at the top about 10:45 AM. During that time we only saw three other couples.If you desire a get-away-from-it-all hike, this is the one to do. Once you reach the top, there is a strong breeze and an amazing view! It was completely clear the day we went and we could see out into the ocean. It really does not get much better than this. If you have the opportunity to experience this hike, do it! I run about 4 miles a day, and I hike Iron Mountain in Poway twice a week without any complaints, and this hike was STILL challenging to me. It is VERY steep and there are not many flat areas. That being said, I think a person of moderate fitness could complete it if given enough time. Be prepared for a good work out and to be completely sore the next day! You will pay $8.00 to park for the day and can take your time. If you are extremely aggressive, you can go across the street and hike Stone Wall Peak; a moderate hike appropriate for the young ones. Enjoy the beauty!

    What you'll find at the top! Along with an amazing view!
    Denisse L.

    This is the best hike I've been on. Also might be the longest. The views are amazing! They have a couple of trails to get to the top. We took the Azalea trail. Plenty of parking ($8). There is a great spot before you reach the top with an inspiring view and a cute bench (great for photos). There is also a camping site with cabins and picnic areas. Bathrooms are located near the entrance and further back (clean). At the top we found a box with a notebook and pencils to document our visit (some great stories in there).

    Alvin B.

    Did this hike on New Years, so it was still snowy! Well not falling snow but somewhat soft snow on the ground. Starting the hike, it was dang cold. Then...we slowly had to shred our jackets. The hike is about 3 miles to the top, which is one of the highest peaks in SD. The trail is all paved, which is somewhat of a downside for me, but it's the fire road, so understandable. You can see all around the results of the cedar fire that destroyed so much of the area. Careful where you step, there are so much dog poops throughout the trail. The view on top was beautiful. On a clear day, you can see most of San Diego and the border.

    Snow!!
    Kate G.

    Really enjoyed this trail. Parked at the Paso campground for $8 and cut through the campground to get to the fire road. Incline the whole way. About 1 mile up was snow. Toward the top was windy/cold so bring a sweatshirt! Dynamic hike the whole way. Lush for the last 1/2 mile. Great views on top! Good hike all around. Took about 3hrs for 6 miles.

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    Ask the Community - Cuyamaca Peak

    Review Highlights - Cuyamaca Peak

    After making the drive out to the Julian/Cuyamaca area, park at the Paso Picacho Campground.

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    Merigan Trail

    Merigan Trail

    4.7(3 reviews)
    7.2 mi

    An outstanding "under the radar" waterfall hike is right here in Descanso. The Merigan Trail (aka…read morethe Merigan Fire Road) is closer than you think at just five minutes off the 8 freeway. Once at the trailhead, you will start your hike through an open meadow, passing some shady oak groves then finishing with waterfalls crashing on large boulders. I was introduced to this gem when I was at sixth grade camp, at Camp Oliver. I knew the Merigan Trail was great even then, but now I can truly appreciate how this area was left untouched after all these years. If it is your first time here, you will be back. FYI..there was still snow on the ground when we went in early January. There is no official address, but the place is right off Viejas Boulevard at Mitzpah Lane. Since it is part of the Cuyamaca State Park, they have their own signs, dirt parking lot, port-a-potties and the "honor system" check in station. I guess they ask for an 8 dollar fee to park. From the parking lot, walk to the trail head going left that passes right in front of a ranger's cabin. You can't miss the trail, since it is wide enough to drive a truck through. Stay on the trail and you will pass through a meadow, then an oak grove, this will then turn into a few mild inclines on the trail that will eventually lead you to a fork in the trail. At the fork, you will see a sign with the option to go to the "Dead Horse Trail" or stay on the "Merigan Fire Road." I always take the Dead Horse Trail, and go left at the fork in the trail to get to the waterfalls. The hike to the waterfall takes about 30-40 minutes for the average hiker with a few stops to admire the scenery. On a scale of 1-10 for difficulty, I would rate it at a 3. There are some inclines, but nothing too bad. Remember, my entire 6th grade class made the hike. Although I love Mission Trails and Cowles Mountain as much as the next hiker...those spots are flooded with way too many bodies. Just when you think you hear a coyote or deer up ahead, it always ends up being another hiker. Kind of a buzz kill. The Merigan Trail has always been the opposite of that experience for me.

    We did this hike based on the review above. There's something about the adventure of trying to…read morefind a waterfall based on one yelp review that sounded fun. It's pretty much just as the above review describes. Drive east on I-8 two exits past the Viejas outlets to Japatul rd and make a left. Make a left at hwy 79 and then an immediate left on Viejas Blvd. Look for Mitzpah rd and park in the dirt lot. Parking is $8. The hike to the waterfall is about 30 minutes. Take the fireroad and make a left at the fork down towards Dead Horse Trail. You will start to hear water. The falls aren't big and majestic, but it's quiet and uncrowded. We had 4 kids with us ranging from age 6 - 9 and they all had a good time.

    Photos
    Merigan Trail - Boulder moss thing.

    Boulder moss thing.

    Merigan Trail - 3 Year old and Daddy wading in the swimming hole

    3 Year old and Daddy wading in the swimming hole

    Merigan Trail - Snow was still in the shady parts of the trail.

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    Snow was still in the shady parts of the trail.

    Secret Canyon Trail - Wildflowers in January!

    Secret Canyon Trail

    4.5(6 reviews)
    15.8 mi

    Alltrails lists this as 'Horse thief Canyon', then I saw that I had this listing bookmarked on Yelp…read morefor sometime and noticed that they were the same thing! Distance: ~3.3mi., reverse out-and-back (you will be going uphill on the return trip) Difficulty: easy-intermediate-ish (~0.5mi ascent on your way out which can get the heart pumping!) Time: 1.5-2 hours Permit required?: No (according to permit site - https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r5/passes-permits/?cid=stelprdb5208699&width=full) Sights of Interest: Mini waterfall and pool Parking is in a big dirt lot just off of Japatul Lyons Valley Rd.. Turn in at Forest Rt 16S04. No bathrooms, so bring some T.P.! There are three gates as you approach - two smaller ones and a large one leading to a service road. Take the gate with a sign marking the 'Epinosa Trail to Secret Canyon Trail'. You'll end up on the service road either way. Continue on the service road until you see a sign off to the right that says 'Trail'. This is where you'll begin the descent into Horse thief Canyon. Eventually it evens out into a nice shady area alongside a stream. Lots of vegetation and growth everywhere, so make sure to *bring the bug spray*! There's a stream crossing after which you'll come upon the pool! Lots of great places to hang out on and relax on boulders. Water is pretty clean for swimming too. Awesome place to bring your dogs to cool off after the dusty trail. Just remember to pack your trash out if you plan on picnic-ing down at the pool! Most of your journey is on the Epinosa Trail and supposedly the Secret Canyon Trail is just beyond the pool, but the trail doesn't seem to continue anywhere beyond it. Great trail either way that experiences very little foot traffic so the area is very well preserved and wild! FYI, apparently this area experiences an influx of illegal immigrants and smugglers, but I think that was in earlier years. It was pretty safe when I went and I only had my dog in tow. But, I like to live life on the edge, so if you are wary come with a group!

    If you go during the week during normal business hours this trail is dead! It was our 2nd time here…read moreand there was only 1 car in the parking lot and we never even ran into the people. This is nice but also kind of scary especially since it's kind of in the middle of nowhere and you don't have great service but luckily I am alive today to write this review. The first time we went on this hike we missed the path and ended up just heading straight through on a dirt road so pay attention on your right hand side for a sign marked trail. This trail would have gotten more stars if it wasn't for the ridiculous amount of flies. I almost turned back because I couldn't stand them constantly flying in my face and in my ears. Maybe I am not an outdoorsy person if I cant handle that but it was hard to enjoy this hike when I was having to smack flies away the whole time. This is also one of those hikes that is fairly easy on the way down but tough on the way back because you have to go back up. I will say though that it was a really pretty hike and there is a creek at the bottom. We didn't go the whole way but did about a little over 3 miles of it. It's about a mile and a half to see the beginning of the creek. Maybe wearing bug spray might help with the flies?

    Photos
    Secret Canyon Trail - Trail is pretty well marked

    Trail is pretty well marked

    Secret Canyon Trail - Awesome sign.

    Awesome sign.

    Secret Canyon Trail

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    Stonewall Peak Trail - Some pockets of fall leaves

    Stonewall Peak Trail

    4.7(100 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    This is my ideal type of hike. Can be completed in under 4 hours (only took us 1.5 hours including…read morelingering at the top), mostly shaded, lots of uphill, beautiful view up top. Aim to hike in the morning for the most shade. Start at the parking lot across the street and pay $10 to park. There are restrooms on site that are relatively clean. The first quarter mile is a little steep and not shaded, so it seems like you're in for a strenuous hike, but it quickly turns to shade and very gradual incline switchbacks. It's not until you get to the last quarter mile that it gets steep and sunny again. The trail is 2 miles one-way.

    Stonewall Peak is one of the more underrated inland hikes of San Diego County located halfway…read morebetween Julian and Descanso at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. It's a little over an hour from the I-5/I-8 intersection to reach this trail. We visited during the cooler season when the afternoon temperature was in the low 70s without any clouds to obscure the sun. There was a parking lot across the road from the trailhead for campers and day hikers. The charge for the latter was $10 per vehicle. The trek to the summit was roughly two miles, and we managed to reach it in about 50 minutes. The trail itself had a lot of gentle switchbacks which made the ascent easier and allowed us to keep a good pace. There was also a lot of shade throughout the hike which made it even more pleasant. We saw many parents with young kids along the way. That indicated the difficulty level wasn't too strenuous. Having said that, the final climb did involve scaling across boulders before you reached a set of rock steps with metal handrails on one side leading up to the peak. The views at the top were gorgeous with the backdrop of a clear blue sky and other mountains in the distance. A few signs were mounted facing different directions. They described some of the landmarks that you could see from the respective perch. The only feature missing from this trail was the presence of a nearby body of water (e.g. creek, pond, lake). That would have elevated Stonewall Peak Trail to a full five-star experience.

    Photos
    Stonewall Peak Trail
    Stonewall Peak Trail - Can see the stairs

    Can see the stairs

    Stonewall Peak Trail - The last stretch

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    The last stretch

    Descanso Wall Trailhead - BLUE MOON. Only road to Descanso Wall Trailhead. Image taken with my Google pixel pro using astrophotography. Unedited images

    Descanso Wall Trailhead

    5.0(1 review)
    8.7 mi

    UNDER THE BLUE MOON'S SPELL…read more Just like Nina Simone (jazz legen) Descanso Well Road in Alpine, CA put a spell on me. The location is nearer en route to Lake Cuyamaca campgrounds. I love experiences that words cannot describe, so perhaps I'll describe the Super Blue Moon Through a person's point of view. ASTRONOMER POV As an unofficial stargazer I was astonished to capture this event in my lifetime. PARENT POV As a parent, me and my kiddo made a pinky promise to meet at this location again when the Blue moon occurs in 2037. HIKER POV As a hiker that once got lost in the dark, I was thinking, " The moon is so illuminated. I can be brave on a hike right now." GOOGLE PIXEL-ER POV As a Google pixel-er, I was diving into the astrophotography features. All of the pics and vids were unedited and untouched. Taken by my Google Pixel Pro-7. I went to YouTube University. Maybe I need more course time. ASTROLOGER POV One shall release old aspects of darkness, sorrows, etc. and request the moon to illuminate it's full power to bring you whatever it is you desire. Ode to da moon. I was releasing like a windmill. Just in case it might be true. WHY WAS I AT THIS LOCATION? A friend suggested I try out this location because she watched the meteor shower. My go to is Anza Borrego. Easy to find. Asphalt road and restrooma are available. Even though the moon was illuminated, I dared NOT check out the restrooms in the dark. NEED TO KNOW 40 minutes east from downtown San Diego. There are a few homes in the road. Be respectful and responsible. Asphalt and well manicured road. Free parking available. Maybe 10 spots comfortably. And some alongside the road. Trail starts at the parking lot. I read it's only a mile trek. Must do in the Fall. My Blue Moon evening was 935 PM - 12115 AM. There was only one other car.

    Photos
    Descanso Wall Trailhead - BLUE MOON. Descanso Wall Trailhead bathrooms. Image taken with my Google pixel pro using astrophotography. Unedited images

    BLUE MOON. Descanso Wall Trailhead bathrooms. Image taken with my Google pixel pro using astrophotography. Unedited images

    Descanso Wall Trailhead - BLUE MOON. Descanso Wall Trailhead parking lot. Image taken with my Google pixel pro 7 using astrophotography. Unedited

    BLUE MOON. Descanso Wall Trailhead parking lot. Image taken with my Google pixel pro 7 using astrophotography. Unedited

    Descanso Wall Trailhead - Blue Moon. Image taken with my Google pixel pro using astrophotography. The moon was well illuminated. Unedited images

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    Blue Moon. Image taken with my Google pixel pro using astrophotography. The moon was well illuminated. Unedited images

    Cottonwood Creek - Swimming in the river, before it got very crowded

    Cottonwood Creek

    4.7(7 reviews)
    10.5 mi

    It's a great river swim with the family…read more However be very careful.. I feel in a whole in Sept 5th,2022 and twisted both ankles. Which I'm still suffering pain from Two month in my injury. My family had lots of fun( I didn't since I was in pain but since it was 2hr drive I suck it up for them). My toddler love it.. we went when LA hit over 100* heat... it very nice in the water!! Many ppl with floating I do suggest to make sure everyone know how to swim as its now drag ppl down the stream..

    I could see this being a 3 or 4 star hike depending on the season and weather conditions you do the…read morehike in. I hiked it on 2/24/19 and found the conditions to be ideal for my enjoyment! Location- it was only about a 30 minute drive for me since I spent the night after attending a party at a family member's house in El Cajon (suburb of San Diego); I jumped on the 8 East and as the elevation reached 3,000 ft I could begin seeing snow on the hills near the fwy and I got even more excited for this hike- took Exit 47 for Sunrise Hwy and the trailhead parking was about 2 miles away from the fwy and there was a large lot on the side of the hwy to park Trail- you access the trail by walking across the road and going to the right of the metal barrier...the snow was the deepest on this portion of the hike for about half a mile and the first part of the hike is where the trail is the narrowest with portions where you have to bend over and get low to continue past low branches; at about 3/4 of a mile you will get down to creek level and make a left to get to the waterfalls...I carefully climbed up to reach about 4 parts of the waterfall and it was flowing really well with all of the recent precipitation of this winter and it was a pleasant surprise to find this so close to the city of San Diego; it is about 2 miles RT and not anything too extreme in the way of incline and I loved having the trail/falls all to myself for the nearly 2 hrs I was there *I used microspikes just to be safe but I could see it being fine with just hiking shoes

    Photos
    Cottonwood Creek - Watching from the bank since I was injured I would walk my ankles were beyond swallowed...

    Watching from the bank since I was injured I would walk my ankles were beyond swallowed...

    Cottonwood Creek - Seeing the lake before getting to the river

    Seeing the lake before getting to the river

    Cottonwood Creek - Cows on our way to the river.. leaving LA behind us

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    Cows on our way to the river.. leaving LA behind us

    Viejas Mountain - The stone wind shelter at the summit; find the guestbook here!

    Viejas Mountain

    4.6(14 reviews)
    11.8 mi

    Native San Diegan, but never been here. From the start this trail is all incline, rocky, dirt, some…read morenative plants/shrubs and yucca but no shade. I saw no animals or even bugs... came December 2020. It's about 1.5 miles uphill with descent elevation and 2.5 down. I had to take a couple breaks due to the elevation I think...as I live near sea level and I'm fairly in shape, but more of a Hiit workout, sprints, weightlifting type, so endurance isn't my strong suite... but the top is worth the struggle. On a clear day you can see the ocean and such a beautiful sunset. Note the top is very windy and cold. I'd say it's great for moderate hiker, and I wouldn't bring a pet but I've seen dogs up there. Pros: - nature!! -free workout -some parking but limited - steep but not crazy difficult - more of a locals only location Cons: - rough dirt/rocky rode to get there -limited parking - no bathroom, trash or water stations

    Spectacular views at the summit especially when facing North. Easy to access from Tavern Rd exit on…read morethe I-8. It's about 3 miles RT on red-clay dirt and very loose rocks. Although Alltrails lists it as intermediate, I was breathless climbing this thing. I would describe it as intermediate-difficult. I mean, the doughnut holes in the morning probably didn't help and it was after Christmas Day indulgences, but the terrain was still very rocky and the incline was CONSTANT, making the ascent a little more difficult than normal. It was the ultimate thigh burner! A great workout! I took about 2 hours to finish, but did spend a lot of time at the top. Had the summit all to myself! Breath-taking! Parking is on a truck trail and the trail head is only marked by a simple metal gate. According to Afoot and Afield a **Wilderness Pass is technically required**, however I got away without one (didn't realize I needed one). Again, the terrain is quite rocky on the clay dirt ascent, so do not bring your kids! They'll likely fall flat on their faces trying to navigate over the rocks. As a note-- the truck road is a dirt one, but well graded with some humps every so often to prevent speeding. Parking near the trailhead is still quite secluded and a draw for thieves, so make sure to hide your belongings before you head out!

    Photos
    Viejas Mountain - The view from the peak!

    The view from the peak!

    Viejas Mountain
    Viejas Mountain - Yay!

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    Yay!

    Cedar Creek Falls - Cedar Creek Falls

    Cedar Creek Falls

    4.4(358 reviews)
    7.7 mi

    If you are a San Diego hiker and haven't done this hike- WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???…read more And for those of you who see these photos and think damn I need to go do that, please be aware of the temperature because it is dangerously hot down there at lower temperatures than in other areas. The hike goes down into a canyon and the heat settles down there. Even if it's not as hot as you think coming up can be extremely dangerous. Every year I hear about somebody dying from heat stroke on that hike so don't take it lightly. I always check the weather on the actual trail using the AllTrails app. I saw that the weather out there was max 65° that day and I was like hell yeah. The hike really isn't that difficult, 3 miles down and then 3 miles back up. Lots of nice switchbacks, and there are a few sun shelters for shade. The views are gorgeous all along the trail. I've done this hike, probably 20 times over the years. It's the best in the spring and in the fall. In the winter it's way too cold. The reward for this hike is the gorgeous rock bowl and waterfall that the locals call Devils Punchbowl. This past Thursday when we did this hike, there were a lot of young folks at the Punchbowl when we got there. Some of the guys were climbing up and jumping into the water. I would not recommend it, even if the waterfall is still flowing that water is not safe to swim in. In the fall, the waterfall doesn't flow anymore after being dried out over the brutal summer, but the trees at the bottom of the canyon turn a beautiful gold color. One of the few places in San Diego you can actually experience fall.

    Having lived in San Diego for so long, I honestly don't know why it took me this long to do this…read morehike. I finally got the permit online (definitely download it before you arrive since service can be spotty) and decided to go for it. I went in early May and started the trail around 8am, which turned out to be a great decision. The trail was practically empty at that time, and the downhill views were absolutely beautiful. I even saw two rattlesnakes before 9am, so definitely stay alert while hiking. At several points I had to remind myself I was still in San Diego and not somewhere in a huge national park. Once I got near the bottom, I did lose track of the trail a little and it was SOS, so having the AllTrails map downloaded beforehand was really helpful. It took me a little over an hour to reach the waterfall, and there were only two other people there at the time, which made it feel really peaceful and private. The water felt AMAZING after the hike down. There were so many fish in the water, and the whole area was honestly so pretty. By the time I started heading back around 10am, I noticed a lot more people arriving at the falls. The hike back up wasn't terrible, but the sun definitely makes it much harder on the return. I was very happy to make it back to the parking lot by around 11:30am. I would definitely bring lots of water, sunscreen, and some snacks.

    Photos
    Cedar Creek Falls - Cloud porn in the beginning of our hike!

    Cloud porn in the beginning of our hike!

    Cedar Creek Falls - Awesome day with one of my best girlfriends

    Awesome day with one of my best girlfriends

    Cedar Creek Falls - Morning frost

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    Morning frost

    Pacific Crest Trail At Penny Pines - Beauty that you will see on the Indian Creek trail loop in Mt Laguna

    Pacific Crest Trail At Penny Pines

    4.9(22 reviews)
    8.1 mi

    INDIAN CREEK LOOP REVIEW (8.8 miles)…read more Let's begin with 100% of hikes in Mt. Laguna or that includes the PCT will be an ethereal experience. Many say you can create, shape and mold reality. Others will say manifest and it will come. And then there are some that are just bah humbug. I always revel in God's imagination and creativity when he created these mountains. And then gave the gift of ingenuity to humans to work to create pathways and trails for us to enjoy and simply relish in gratitude and awe the entire hike. I'm a real hiker. Real backpacker. Real camper. And real glamping. I hike 2x a week for more than a decade. This is only to give you perspective of this review. This is my first time doing the full loop that included Pacific Crest Trail,Pine Mountain Road,Indian Creek Trail,and Noble Canyon Trail AKA "Indian Creek Loop." And today was wonky. Some parts were hard, some parts were easy, same parts were as if my body never has done hiking before. It was a doozy. I would likely do this hike again within the next couple of weeks. Because in my imagination, I'm an amazing hiker and that did not show today when I was struggling. I love taking photos and there was about an hour where I was trying to manage my breathing and focus and trek poles that I took no photos. Yep, I let the mountain win, smh. On this day, spectacular hike with alternating elevation, endless greenery, and blooming plants. Walking the legendary PCT, passing the "Canada" sign, and glimpsing Anza Borrego's desert floor was unforgettable. From rocky paths to meadows and mountain views, every turn offered something new. No one on the trail until the final half mile where bikers were on trail. I started at Piney Pines. Next time I'll go counterclockwise. GOOD TO KNOW *Att network excellent reception the entire trail *I felt safe as a solo hiker but I still get the quesies. I carry a few safety thins. Shhh. Don't tell *Hike time: 3 hrs, 3 minutes *90% exposed hike. *At the 4 mile marker, shade, benches and toilets. The toilets are unsanitary. I don't want to vomit and make it worse so I do my thing in nature. *When you start there's a point where you just have to finish *You can break this up to build up your mileage over time THIS HIKE IS NOT FOR: *Newbies, there's elevation involved *Whiners, complainers, or scaredy cats *Those who I have only done Cowles Mountain and think this is the next level "Life can be limited and you miss out. But create your own unlimitedness and you must do this hike."

    This review is for the Garnet Peak via Pacific Crest Trail which was a 4 mile round trip that took…read moreabout 2 hours to complete. The trail for the most part was easy to follow and completely exposed to the sun. A good portion of the trail was rocky which could make your foot a bit uncomfortable. There were also a few instances where you could go off trail for a bit to check out the desert views! Short video of the hike for those interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htU3_t3cDMI

    Photos
    Pacific Crest Trail At Penny Pines - Beauty that you will see on the Indian Creek trail loop in Mt Laguna Garnet Peak

    Beauty that you will see on the Indian Creek trail loop in Mt Laguna Garnet Peak

    Pacific Crest Trail At Penny Pines
    Pacific Crest Trail At Penny Pines

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    Cuyamaca Peak - hiking - Updated May 2026

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