Cuyamaca Peak is probably the best-known mountain in and around San Diego, and at 6,512 feet, is just a handful of feet shorter than the county highpoint at Hot Springs Mountain, which is often closed to visitors by the Indians who own the land. On the other hand, Cuyamaca Peak offers an excellent blend of location, ease of access, camping options, ease of trail (it’s paved), and views. In the “deserving” category, Cuyamaca Peak is a much more interesting peak than Hot Springs and really should have been the county highpoint, were it not for the 40 or so feet it gives up to Hot Springs. In any case, Cuyamaca Peak has much to recommend it, and I had been interested in this peak for some time now.

A huge fire tore through the area, and much of central San Diego County, in 2005, and most of the lower slopes of Cuyamaca Peak were burned to a crisp. The fire was so hot and complete that it essentially sterilized the land: new seedlings had to be imported and planted by hand for the forest to regenerate. That, of course, put off a visit for awhile, as it would take some time for the immediate area to recuperate enough to allow visits (and besides, we can see burnt-out hillsides and forests here in Arizona for a fraction of the travel costs). Beth hiked it way back in the early 1990s and was interested in going back, but reticent to go through the bother given the fire damage. Instead, I arranged to meet an old climber buddy of mine, Adam Helman, who lives in the greater San Diego area. We joined forces for a day on Cuyamaca and later, Otay Mountain. Beth wanted me to “report back” on the status of the region.

I drove out Friday afternoon, leaving directly from school and making the long 6-hour drive via Interstate-8 through Yuma to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, arriving about 7-ish, by which time it was already dark. I had reserved a space at the Paso Picacho Campground. I rolled in and got situated. The campground seemed to be spared the fire, for there was still impressive old-growth still abundant. The cool temperatures were a wonderful sensation – it had been months since I felt 50-degree air on my skin! I slept well in the rear of my truck, arising early the next day to meet Adam at the day-use parking area. He showed up about 6:30 a.m. and by 6:50 had begun the hike.

The route follows a narrow fire road that is paved for the two miles or so to the top, gaining about 1,600 feet in the process. We caught the road on the south end of the campground and started the hike, we being the first group of the day. Fire damage was evident quickly: the lower slopes were open, burned stumps and snags everywhere, but on the plus side, evidence of new growth was everywhere. A front was moving in, and at times Cuyamaca’s summit was shrouded in clouds and fog, and other times clearly visible. We marched up at a good pace up the road/trail, talking of course about mathematics, and taking occasional breaks for water and photographs. The route pretty much goes westish, then at roughly half way, turns south, achieves the ridge near a soft saddle, then curls south and westerly up to the top. Nearer the top the trees were thicker and they seemed to escape the wrath of the 2005 blaze. We made the summit in an hour and twenty minutes. The summit highpoint is a boulder partially hidden in some brush. Not surprisingly, simple towers and buildings sit beside the highpoint. The views down below were fantastic: nothing but the tops of clouds looking west, and lots of peaks and valleys looking east. However, the wind was steady and the air cool, so after a short snack break we got moving down fairly quickly.

The hike down took 50 minutes according to Adam’s watch, meaning we were back to our cars a bit after nine a.m. A few other hikers and bicyclists had started up the trail on our descent. The dead standing trees pose a potential risk: we came upon one that had evidently fallen very recently, perhaps within the last couple of days (photo at left). They are so dried out they evidently just crack apart when they smash into the ground. I inspected the dirt where the roots came apart and it was still well-defined with minimal crud in the hole, suggesting a very recent fall - perhaps that very night, who knows. I can imagine this trail/road seeing hundreds of people a day. I am told it’s especially nice after a snowfall.

Across the way is Stonewall Mountain, a shorter peak but much more rocky and with an interesting profile. I put this one on my “next time” list. Adam recommends it. So yes, Cuyamaca Peak still has evidence of the 2005 fire, but it is coming back and it will take time, but I enjoyed it regardless. We will most definitely return!

Adam and I then left the area for a tangle with Otay Mountain (the story continues...)