Hike Cuyamaca Peak

In This Guide	Video & Turn by Turn Hike Directions to Cuyamaca Peak Cuyamaca Peak Trail Maps Parking and Entrance Fees Insider Tips & Recommendations
Total Distance (?)	7.7 miles (12.4 km)
Hike Time	3-4 Hours (Total)
Difficulty (?)	Moderate
Total Ascent (?)	1,850 feet (564m)
Highest Elevation	6,512 feet (1985m)
Fees & Permits	Park Entrance Fee
Dogs Allowed	No
Alerts & Closures (?)	Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Park Phone	760-765-0755
Weather & Forecast	Latest Conditions
Stay Safe	Copy this webpage link to the clipobard and share with a friend before you hike. Let them know when to expect you back.
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The hike to Cuyamaca Peak brings you to San Diego County’s second-highest point at 6,512 feet. It’s only 20 feet lower than the highest peak but much easier to hike. On a clear day, you can see for 100 miles from the summit, including the Coronado Islands and Table Top Mountain in Mexico. Even though the hike goes to a high point, it’s not a tough backcountry expedition but rather a great hike for a beginner – no tricky twists and turns.

Cuyamaca is pronouced “kwee-e-mecca” and is the native Kumeyaay word for “place behind the clouds.”

Where is the Cuyamaca Peak Hike?

The hike starts in the Paso Picacho Campground in Ranch Cuyamaca State Park. Use this trailhead address:
Paso Picacho Campground, Julian, CA, 92036, USA.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 3 — When you pull into the campground, make the first right to enter the day-use parking area.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 4 — There’s an entry fee for the park, or you can get in with your California State Parks pass.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 5 — The lot is large but does get popular on weekends. If it’s full, ask the entry attendant where to park.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 6 — The parking area has bathrooms, a water fountain, and picnic tables.

Here’s what I recommend if you visit Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The Cuyamaca Peak hike is right next to Stonewall Peak hike, and both can be done in a day. Break your hikes up with a picnic in Paso Picacho Campground.

Gear For the Hike

The San Diego high country is a place of extremes. In the summer, this hike can be brutally hot, and in the winter, the trail can be covered in snow and ice. Check the weather before you head out to the hike. The trails are not too technical, but hiking footwear will help the muddy and rocky sections. If you climb with trekking poles, they’ll come in handy here too. I’d bring 2L of water.

Garmin InReach Mini 2
I’m a firm believer in carrying a satellite communications device which works where cell phones don’t. I use a Garmin InReach which lets me send text messages back and forth to my family to let them know that I’m okay or if my plans change when I’m out in the backcountry. It also has an SOS subscription built-in so that you can reach first-responders in an emergency. The devices also offer weather reports, GPS, and navigation functionality (what’s the difference between a GPS and satellite communicator?). For a few hundred bucks they could save your life, so for me it’s a no brainer to have something like a Garmin InReach. If you use a smartphone to navigate and want a more affordable option that integrates with your phone easily, check out the ZOLEO.
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Latest Prices: Amazon | REI

Altra Lone Peak 6
For most people, the Altra Lone Peak is a solid choice that will leave your feet feeling great at the end of any hike. The feel is cushy and light, and if it had a car equivalent, this would be a Cadillac or Mercedes Sedan. The grip is great and they’re reasonably durable for this type of trail runner, which I think is better in most conditions than a hiking boot, and here’s why. The downside of this shoe is that it won’t last as long as something like the Moab 2 (see alternate footwear choices at the bottom of my gear page). I’ve been using mine for many miles and my feet always feel great. I have a video on the details of the Altra Lone Peak 6 here.
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Women’s Latest Prices: REI | Amazon
Men’s Latest Prices: REI | Amazon

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
I’ve gone back and forth on trekking poles, but I think for most people they are a good investment. They help you dig in on the uphills, provide stability on loose downhills, act as a brace when crossing streams, and can probably poke away aggressive wildlife in a pinch. The Trail Ergo Cork poles are a good balance of light weight, durability, affordability, and ease of use. If you want something ultralight and a little more pricey, I’ve had great luck with the Black Diamond Z Poles too.
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Trail Ergo Poles: REI | Amazon
Z-Poles: REI | Amazon

Gregory Zulu 30 & Jade 28
After testing quite a few backpacks, the Gregory Zulu 30 (and Jade 28 for women) is, for most hikers, the best all-season day-pack. First off, it’s very comfortable, and the mesh “trampoline” back keeps your back dry. Its 30L capacity is enough for all the essentials and plenty of layers for winter hiking. External pockets make it easy to grab gear. It’s hard to find something wrong with the pack; if anything, it could be a bit lighter, but overall, it’s not heavy. And its price-point makes it not only affordable but generally a great value.
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Women’s Latest Prices: REI | Amazon
Men’s Latest Prices: REI | Amazon

Here’s my complete gear list that I personally use, have tested, and recommend, updated May 2022.

My May 2022 Top Gear Picks

No company pays me to promote or push a product, all the gear you see here is gear I use and recommend. If you click an a link and buy gear, I get a small commission that helps keep the website ad and promotion free. There is no cost to you.

Cuyamaca Peak Trail Maps

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 13 — Look for these trail markers which are consistent at all the trail junctions on this hike.

For this hike, we’re going to take the Azalea Glen Trail from the campground and loop around to the summit. This is one of the nicer approaches from the parking area in the campground. Of course, you could also walk up the paved road, but what fun would that be? Once you get to the summit, walk back down the road to the campground for the quickest way to wrap the hike up. Or, if you prefer, you can go back the way you came on the trails.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

If you try to download the GPX file and your browser adds a “.txt” or “.xml” extension to it, simply rename it as a “.gpx” file.

How Are You Going to Navigate This Hike?
Here’s what I use. If you are a hardcore hiker and/or hike in extreme conditions, I recommend getting a dedicated GPS like a GPSMAP 66sr or 66i, or a wrist-based GPS with maps like the Garmin Fenix 7 or Epix. If you only hike in fair weather and a touchscreen is fine, or just want a solid tool, I highly recommend downloading the smartphone app, Gaia GPS. It’s a piece of cake to use and very powerful, just make sure your phone is in airplane mode so the battery doesn’t drain. You can also check for wildfires, weather, snow, and choose from dozens of map types with a premium membership (HikingGuy readers get a big discount here). Note that I also carry a paper map with me in case the phone dies or gets smashed.

To access this guide when out of cell phone range on the trail, simply save the webpage on your phone ( iPhone – Android ).

Elevation Profile

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop Elevation — The beginning of the hike is relatively flat, but after about 2.5 miles in you start to climb in earnest. It’s a tough climb but nothing extreme.

3D Map

Hike Brief

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 2 — Keep your eyes open for animals on your hike, like this hawk flying above the trail. You may be able to spot a bald eagle here; they spend winters in this area.

You would think that Cuyamaca would be very lush, but it’s not. It’s still recovering from a devastating forest fire. In 2003, 90% of Cuyamaca park burnt down during San Diego’s largest recorded wildfire, the Cedar Fire, started by a lost hunter who made a signal fire to get rescued. The area is recovering well, and today is home to over 200 bird species, and lots of mule deer and wild turkeys, which you have a decent chance at spotting if you leave early.
From the late 1980s to early 1990s there were an unusually high number of mountain lion encounters here. It’s been a long time since anything like that happened here, but it’s best to be aware of the possibility (as you should anywhere in California). As the park says, “most lions avoid confrontation and people, but should you see one stay calm and do not run. Mountain Lions instinctively chase prey, running may trigger this instinct. Try to appear larger, raising your hands and facing the animal loudly. Do not be afraid to fight back need be.”
Human habitation here dates back 7000 years; the Kumeyaay peoples included this land as their home. In 1869 the discovery of gold in nearby Julian meant the end of their traditional way of life.
Many of the structures and trails on this hike were built by the CCC in the 1930s.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Directions

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Video Directions

Turn by Turn Directions

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 7 — Go back to where you entered the parking lot, but bear right instead of heading to the exit.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 8 — After passing an RV pump-out station, look for the trailhead on the right.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 9 — Here’s the start of the Azalea Glen Loop Trail. Start heading down the trail.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 10 — We’re taking the Azalea Glen Loop Trail for a portion of its length, which is why Cuyamaca Peak isn’t listed here. Also, notice the callout for the California Riding and Hiking Trail. When the state government authorized it in 1945, it was planned as a 3000 mile loop trail from Mexico to Oregon and back. It never happened but short segments still exist, including a very popular route in Joshua Tree NP.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 11 — The beginning of the Azalea Glen Trail is flat and pleasant.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 12 — At the split with the Paso Loop Trail, stay left on the Azalea Trail.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 14 — And shortly after that the other end of the Azalea Glen Loop joins in from the left. Keep hiking straight.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 16 — Look back to the right on this stretch for nice views of Stonewall Peak.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 15 — Bear left where the other end of the Paso Loop rejoins the trail.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 17 — And then keep straight at the junction with the California Riding and Hiking Trail.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 18 — Now you start a gentle climb along a creek. All the junctions are behind you. Now you can just hike for a while.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 19 — As you climb look for the peak with the radio towers on it. That’s Cuyamaca Peak.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 20 — When you get to the junction of Azalea Spring Fire Road, make the hard right.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 21 — And continue downhill on the road for a short stretch.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 22 — To your right are Middle Peak (left) and North Peak (right with the antennas).

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 23 — After about 0.4 miles on the road, look for the hidden and sharp left turn onto the Conejos Trail.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 24 — The start of the trail is easy to spot if you don’t blow by it.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 25 — And there’s a sign for the Conejos (rabbit) Trail. Our next stop is Lookout Fire Road in 2 miles.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 26 — Now you start to climb. After an initial straight section, switchbacks appear making the climb a little easier.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 27 — As you climb you can see Granite Mountain, in Anza Borrego SP, off to the left.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 28 — After the switchbacks stop, you’ll be following the ridge along the east side of the slope.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 29 — The pointy peak you see is Monument Peak.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 30 — And also Whale Peak, one of the higher peaks in Anza Borrego SP.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 31 — Eventually the Conejos Trail winds into the pines. You’ll notice that at this point the landscape has changed from oaks and scrub to tall pines.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 32 — When you get to Fire Lookout Road, make the right onto the pavement.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 33 — Follow the steep paved road up to the summit.

Cuyamaca Peak Hike Loop 34 — At the end of the road, you’ll reach the clearing. This is Cuyamaca Peak!

You’ll notice radio towers off to the left. Hikers are discouraged from entering the area, but if you do, there are boulders and some more views. You’ll also find a USGS marker and the footprint of a fire tower that once sat on the summit.