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 Reporter |
Summary: This excursion to the top of the Cuyamaca Peek has many trails from which to choose. Ours trail begins on the south Azalea Glen Loop. This 1.5 mile ascent is one of the most beautiful dense forest hikes in the park. We took the Loop Trail to the Azalea Glen Road to the Azalea Fire Road finally meeting up with the Conejos Trail. The Conejos, a lightly hiked 2.5 mile trail, follows the ridgeback of the Cuyamaca it is a bit of smorgasbord. It begins by meandering around fallen oak trees then quickly morphs to a granite rock trail. Finally it becomes a wall trail hugging a steep drop! The views this hike affords are fantastic, both to the East Mountains and west low lying valleys. Finally, the trail merges with the paved fire road 0.5 from the top of Cuyamaca Peak. Be sure to bring some binoculars, on a clear day the views from the second highest peak in San Diego County are spectacular! Trailhead: We chose to begin our hike on the south Azalea Glen loop Trail. This loop trail is one of the most beautiful dense forest hikes in the park. To find the trailhead from the day use parking lot, walk 100 yards southwest toward the camping grounds. Proceed due west approx .75 miles to join the Azalea Spring Fire Road. Follow to the gravel fire road north about 0.75 miles to the Conejos Trail junction. The Conejos ends with the mergence of the paved Lookout Fire Trail. For our return we followed the paved road back to the West Side trail, then went back north to the Azalea Springs Trail and finally down to the parking lot. There are a great many ways to return depending your time allotment and energy levels. (Lat:32.07 Lon:-116.35) Trail Guides for Cuyamaca Peak Loop: Afoot & Afield in San Diego County by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: California State Park (760) 765 0755 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Kevin Vasquez, who has posted 7 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by AM on 2/19/2008 Hiked this on 16th Feb, 2008. Drove up to the mountains, two days after rain/ snow. It was perfect. Upto 3 feet of snow at some points on the trail and the weather was great - 50-60F and clear blue skies.
Reviewed by Mike on 7/6/2007 7/6/2007 just finished the hike there. It was a pretty good hike but I agree the trails can be confusing with "Azalea Glen (fill in words here)." Great views, lots of animal activity. Really HOT, temps were into the 100's. The Conejos trail was very overgrown but made for an exciting hike. I actually hiked this alone and it's ok but wouldn't recommend it.
Reviewed by Rob on 7/1/2007 June 2007 we hiked area three Saturdays -- great time. Trailhead parking in Day Use area of Paso Picacho State Campground on W side of Hwy 79, 2 miles S of Lake Cuyamaca. Parking $6, fold-out trail maps $1 (free at www.cuyamaca.us). Restrooms at trailhead. Many trails are clogged with 6’ weed that took over after Cedar Fire 2003. State Park work crews labor to cut back weeds to keep trails passable. Stonewall Peak on E side of Hwy 79, across from Day Use parking area. Dozens of switchbacks to Stonewall Peak Summit. Busy trail. Lookout Fireroad paved, runs from campground fire station to Cuyamaca Peak -- definitive landmark. Trail names confusing: Azalea Glen Trail (Loop), Azalea Glen Road, Azalea Springs Fire Road (Trail). 
Reviewed by Viewer on 2/27/2007 Nice scenery at this time: summer at the bottom, spring with mud and puddles in the middle, and winter at the top with everything white being completely covered with snow. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, San Diego County Hiking, San Diego County Trails, San Diego County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||