Eagle Peak is an often missed hike that shares a trailhead with Three Sisters Falls. With an elevation of 3226’, Eagle Peak currently holds the 69th spot on the Sierra Club’s 100 Peaks of San Diego…
52 Hike Challenge
Three Sisters Falls – A Springtime Reunion Waterfall Hike
Last summer a friend and I decided to hike Three Sisters Falls. We chose the absolute worst time of year to make the trek and we were disappointed, but not surprised, to find that the falls were dry…
Grapevine Mountain Hike – Going Off-Trail from the PCT in Anza Borrego
Distance: 6.25 miles | Hiking time: 4-5 hours | More trail info. John, a friend I met on Instagram (@adventuregraham), asked me to join him on the
Grapevine Mountain Hike
Distance:6.25 miles | Hiking time:4-5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10
Grapevine Mountain is a prominent mountain located in northeastern San Diego County about 12 miles east of Julian in the Anza Borrego Desert.
The hike from the trailhead takes you along a cactus-strewn section of the PCT. Making the summit will require a little route-finding skill and a lot of off trail travel, including some rock 3 and 4 rock scrambling and bushwhacking through fields of cactus and thorny things. Notable sights from the summit include views of Mt. San Jacinto, the Superstition Mountains, Granite Peak, and Cuyamaca Peak.
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Grapevine Mountain Hike – Going Off-Trail from the PCT in Anza Borrego
Bell Bluff Hike
Distance:7.2 miles | Hiking time:4-5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10
Bell Bluff is one of several prominent peaks located around the town of Alpine, Ca. The trail leading to Bell Bluff starts in a quiet neighborhood where it crosses the Sweetwater River before leading you up and out of the canyon. The hike to Bell Bluff is relatively easy and the trail is well-traveled and good for hiking and trail running.
The summit of Bell Bluff is accessed by way of a small trail that leads you up the western face of the peak. Getting to the top will require a steel will, some good hiking shoes and a willingness to do some light bushwhacking and rock scrambling. Take care when attempting to summit, however, because you are exposed in some areas of the climb. A fall could be serious, and this hike should not be attempted by people who are inexperienced, improperly prepared, or not physically fit.
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Bell Bluff Trail: Adventures in Off-trail Bushwhacking and Scrambling
Pine Mountain Loop
Distance: 10 miles | Hiking time: 5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10
Pine Mountain Loop is a fun, scenic hike that uses a series of connecting trails and fire roads to circle around, and eventually past the summit of Pine Mountain. The route is frequented by hikers and mountain bikers and offers views of Cuyamaca Peak, Middle Peak, Stonewall Peak and more. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a short hike off trail to the summit for a secluded picnic in a pine tree forest.
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Pine Mountain Trail: A Summit Adventure Hike in the Laguna Mountains
Middle Peak
Distance: 6 miles | Hiking time: 3 hours | Difficulty: 6/10
The hike up Middle Peak in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is like walking through a history lesson of San Diego County’s wildfires. In 2003, the Cedar Fire decimated the park’s population of centuries old sugar pine trees. The effects of the destruction are still clearly visible along every step of the trails surrounding Middle Peak.
Today, the habitat is recovering. Young oak trees and pine saplings are beginning to take hold, as are the manzanita trees that are so prevalent in Southern California. Wildlife is beginning to return to the area as well. Deer and large birds of prey are a common sight on the trails leading up Middle Peak. From what I hear, even the occassional bald eagle makes a stop in Cuyamaca.
Despite the destruction, the views from Middle Peak are still the primary attraction of this hike. The main trails, Milk Ranch Road and Middle Peak Fire Road, are frequently used by both hikers and mountain bikers. The smaller adjoining trails, Sugar Pine Trail and Black Oak Trail, are accessible only on foot and offer a more secluded feel.
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My Cold Weather Clothing System Tested on Cuyamaca and Stonewall Peaks in the Snow
Stonewall Peak
Distance: 4 miles | Hiking time: 2.5 hours | Difficulty: 5/10
Stonewall Peak sits just outside Paso Picacho Campground in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The trail to the summit is a well maintained series of switchbacks that gradually ascends the western face of the mountain. This is a quick, relatively easy hike with outstanding views that stretch north as far as the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains.
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My Cold Weather Clothing System Tested on Cuyamaca and Stonewall Peaks in the Snow
Cuyamaca Peak
Distance: 6 miles | Hiking time: 3 hours | Difficulty: 6/10
Standing at 6512 feet, Cuyamaca Peak holds the top spot on the Sierra Club’s 100 Peaks of San Diego County list, and is officially the second highest point in the county. During the winter, Cuyamaca is one of the few places in San Diego that’s almost guaranteed to get snow. Aside from the views along the way, hiking the paved road to the summit isn’t that noteworthy. But if you don’t mind putting in the work to get there, the views from the summit are better than anywhere in the county.
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My Cold Weather Clothing System Tested on Cuyamaca and Stonewall Peaks in the Snow
Viejas Mountain
Distance: 3 miles | Hiking time: 2.5 hours | Difficulty: 6/10
The Viejas Mountain Trail hike takes you straight up the western face of the mountain to the summit. Viejas Mountain is a thigh busting, lung burning hike that’s the perfect length for a quick workout, and the rewards at the top are worth every ounce of energy it takes to get there.
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Viejas Mountain Trail: A Quick Hike to an Ancient Kumeyaay Ceremonial Site with 360 Degree Views