Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Palomar Mountain

Boucher Fire Tower Loop (Palomar Mountain)

3.5 miles - Easy Effort
2 Hours (Total)
630 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 5,438 feet
No Dogs Allowed

This short loop hike to the Boucher Fire Lookout Tower offers a lot to see in a short distance. The climb to the tower is gentle, and at the top, on a clear day, you can see from Mexico, to the Coronado Islands, to Mt San Jacinto. I'd venture to say the best views from Palomar Mountain State Park are from Boucher Hill. Then rom the tower, we'll hike in a loop and visit the remains of a historic homesteader's cabin.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop
How to Get to the Trailhead at Palomar Mountain State Park
Recommendations and Tips for the Hike

Quick Links:
Park Website - Weather Forecast - My Apr 2024 Gear

Boucher is pronounced "booo-ker" or "book-er" and is a misspelling of an early resident family name, the Boughers.

Where is Boucher Trail in Palomar Mountain SP?

The trailhead is easy to find. It's the first parking lot once you pass the entrance station. Use this trailhead address:
Silvercrest Picnic Area, 19952 State Park Rd, Palomar Mountain, CA 92060

There is a fee to enter Palomar Mountain State Park.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 40 — The Silvercrest Picnic Area is on your left once you enter the park.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 37 — The parking lot is massive.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 41 — There are bathrooms by the parking area.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 42 — The views from the parking area aren't too shabby.

Gear For the Hike

While this isn't a technical or difficult hike, it is a backcountry one. There is no cell service for most of the hike, and you are in wilderness conditions. In the summer there can be bugs, so wear insect repellant. And in the winter, there can be snow. Check the weather before you go. Otherwise the hike is easy, and you can do this in fitness clothes or light hiking gear. Bring 1L of water.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Boucher Trail Maps

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 39 — The trail is fairly well marked with trail signs like these.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 38 — If you find any artifacts (from early settlers or Native peoples)), please leave them alone and report them to the park rangers.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Elevation Profile

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Elevation — The climb looks worse than it is here. When you climb to the tower, you have a nice long downhill to Cedar Grove Campground, and then you climb up to Scott's Cabin, and then return.

3D Map

Boucher Hill Hike Directions

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 43 — Avoid the picnic area trailhead and start on the left side of the bathrooms.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 44 — When you get to the road, make the left.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 45 — We have a short stretch on the road.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 46 — When you reach the big intersection / traffic circle - bear left.

The dirt road ahead is marked as the Nate Harrison Grade, which is smaller dirt and paved road that goes down the mountain. It was named after an ex-slave and San Diego County’s first African-American homesteader. He's got an interesting history that you can dive into here.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 47 — At the junction there's a memorial to the CCC workers who built many of the iconic trails of the West.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 48 — At the junction look for the Boucher Trail up to the left.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 49 — Start the (pretty easy) climb up the Boucher Trail.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 50 — The trail climbs gently through the trees.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 51 — And then you'll see the fire tower in front of you.

Although there has been a fire lookout tower here since 1921, this structure was built in 1948 and is one of only two of this design still standing. Today it's staffed by volunteers and when it's open, you can usually visit the tower.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 52 — Explore the tower area. There are many interpretive displays and of course, the views. When you are done, the trail continues down to the right.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 56 — There are bathrooms here in case you are inspired.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 53 — Make sure you check out the viewing platform, which is the same footprint as the tower.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 54 — To the south you'll get views of most of the high peaks in San Diego, including Cuyamaca and El Cajon.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 55 — And to the north, Saddleback Mountain looms large.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 57 — To continue, head down the road to the trail across the pavement.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 58 — Continue downhill on the Boucher Trail.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 59 — When you start the descent you can catch a glimpse of San Jacinto Peak.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 60 — You'll have a long downhill with more great views.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 61 — And then the trail swings east and you get views of Gordon Point.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 62 — Cross over the Nate Harrison Grade to continue the trail.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 63 — Once across we've officially started a new trail, the Adams Trail.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 64 — When the meadow opens up, go straight as the Baptist Trail joins from the left.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 65 — And then you'll reach Cedar Grove Group Campground. Make the right on the paved road and follow it straight.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 66 — And then at the campground entrance, make a quick left on the road.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 67 — Cross, and hike up Scott's Cabin Trail.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 68 — There's some climbing here. When you reach the junction with the Cedar Trail, keep straight on Scott's Cabin Trail.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 69 — Avoid any power line access trails and stay on the main trail.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 70 — When you see a pile of cut logs, you've reached Scott's Cabin?

Who was Scott? Most likely it was B. F. Scott, who according to a 1900 census, owned the land here. According to Robert Haley Asher (1868-1953), who lived in the area from 1903-1946, an "ancient log cabin" stood around this area and was often occupied by transients and visitors. I like to think it belonged to Andreas & Elvira Scott, Native Americans who were listed in an 1880 census of the area. If you know anything more, please contact me and give me the scoop.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 71 — The actual flat cabin area is back to the right.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 72 — The lumber from the cabin, now strewn around the area, is still in remarkably good shape.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 73 — Shortly after Scott's Cabin, look for the trail to the right.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 74 — Take the connector trail down to the Silvercrest Picnic Area.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 75 — After a short stretch you'll have a little climb.

Boucher Trail Fire Tower Loop Directions 76 — And then arrive back by the parking lot where you began. That's it!

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.