Name: Cuyamaca Peak
Rating: 4.6

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Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildlife

The only trail that allows dogs on leash in the State Park.

Overview

Starting from the Paso Picacho campground, earn one of the best views in the area after climbing up this fire road for over 1,500' in under three miles.

Description

The trail to the peak is not the greatest as the majority of it is deteriorating paved fire road on Lookout Fire Road, but the view from the peak is by far the best in all of San Diego County.

On a clear day, you'll have views of most of San Diego County, including downtown, Mexico, and even the Channel islands. Also, bring water as this out-and-back hike is almost entirely exposed and hot.

For a shorter but equally steep option, head across the road for the sister hike up Stonewall Peak Trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: California State Parks - Cuyamaca Rancho

Shared By:

Matt Sadowski

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.6 from 14 votes

#2

in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

#943

Overall

4.6 from 14 votes

5 Star		57%
4 Star		43%
3 Star		0%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Recommended Route Rankings

37 Views Last Month

7,292 Since Sep 28, 2016

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Photos

The view north from Cuyamaca Peak was cloudy and beautiful on a day in January 2017.

Jan 15, 2017 near Descanso, CA

Lake Cuyamaca looks utterly gorgeous from the flank of Cuyamaca Peak.

Jan 15, 2017 near Descanso, CA

Oct 27, 2016 near Descanso, CA

1 Comment

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Check-Ins

Jul 14, 2024

Samantha Shieh

Apr 16, 2022

Samantha Shieh

5mi — 2h 00m

Jan 16, 2021

Paulo Mesaros

High elevation for San Diego County! Hike up is rather boring (paved fire road the whole way up) but the view is very nice! 6mi — 2h 10m

Jan 16, 2021

Samantha Shieh

May 26, 2019

T H

Apr 13, 2019

Frank Aguirre

Dec 15, 2018

George Hewett

8:56 - 10:19am UP, 1:23 546 active calories 2.88 mi UP, 1,551ft gain Avg Hr = 129 BPM PAce = 28.47/mi 10:43-12:24 DOWN, 55 min, 2.6 mi, avg hr 97 5.5mi

Dec 15, 2018

Taylor Kirk

Added azalea glen loop to it 7.5mi

Aug 5, 2018

Jake Conneen

5.4mi

Jun 29, 2018

Mark M

Mar 25, 2018

Matt Mucciaccio

5.5mi

Feb 19, 2018

Revoon Kanoozi

Jan 31, 2018

Amy Borchardt

Sep 24, 2017

Janell Ingersoll

Difficult climb with a breathtaking view at the top. 6.1mi

Jul 27, 2017

kristin lee

Feb 10, 2017

Brian-Suzy Nam

Nov 7, 2016

Joel Kaser

Jul 26, 2015

Sophia Estudante

Apr 5, 2014

Private User

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Cuyamaca Peak

“This hike has the absolute best views of San Diego County, Mexico, and the Channel Islands! ”

5.4

8.7

Out and Back

6,441' 1,963 m

4,882' 1,488 m

1,559' 475 m

1,559' 475 m

11%

21%

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Know This Trail?

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildlife

Overview

Description

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#2

#943

#2

#153

#943

Photos

1 Comment

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

West Mesa Loop

Iron Mountain Peak Trail #10

Lawson and Gaskill Peaks

Blue Sky Ecological Reserve

Split Mountain Loop

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