News and Events
Store
Maps
Trails
Picnic Areas, Interpretive Programs and Rules
Camping
LinksHave a Good Time – Have a Safe Time
Hiking Safety
Mountain lions are occasionally encountered in both parks. The following suggestions are based upon studies of mountain lion behavior.
- - Stay calm if you come upon a lion. Talk firmly to it. Move slowly, never run away or turn your back on it. Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms, open your jacket if you are wearing one. Do not crouch or bend over. Do not approach a mountain lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most lions will avoid a confrontation; give them a way to escape. Contact the park Ranger if you see a mountain lion in the park.
- - Always carry water with you when you go out for a hike.
- - Always carry a park map with you when you go for a hike.
- - Tell someone where you are going and when you plan on returning.
VISITORS:
Please make sure that when hiking you have plenty of drinking water. One .5 liter bottle of water will not be enough. We recommend a minimum of 2 liters of water for each hiker for a two hour hike.
Mountain Biking Safety
All the fire roads are multi-use trails: users should be aware that they may encounter others and all users, particularly bicyclists, must anticipate this and yield to both hikers and horse back riders. Mountain Bikes are only allowed on trails in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park When riding in the park:
- - Observe 15 mph speed limit
- - Yield to all horses and hikers
- - Downhill riders should yield to uphill riders
- - When passing, signal your intentions before overtaking others
- - Make sure you are on a legal trail. Pay close attention to the signs and maps.
Trail Updates
DISCLAIMER:
The following report is compiled and written by park volunteers. The information contained therein is obtained from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, other volunteers and park staff. Therefore, some (or possibly all) information contained in this report may not have been personally verified by the writers. Every effort is made by the writers of this report to ensure its accuracy, but no guarantees can be made. With this understanding, and also understanding that some trails in the park are more challenging than others, all users of the park’s trails should exercise common sense about using the trails. Regardless of the information contained in this report, any park user should be prepared to turn around if any adverse condition is encountered.
Finally, we highly recommend that you always check with park staff for latest conditions before using any park trail.
Homemade footbridges
Reminder regarding homemade footbridges: Last week, we had to clear another homemade footbridge that had dammed up drainage and caused damage to the trail. This one was located just south of the horse drinker on Cold Stream Trail. It takes us some considerable time to repair the damage to the trails caused by these bridges. If you must build a bridge so as to not get your feet wet, please disassemble it when you have crossed the drainage. Remember, drainages are part of the natural environment in the park; branches, rocks and logs thrown into them are not.
GENERAL FIRE ROAD AND TRAIL ADVISORY
The Park’s Fire Roads and Trails are still damp from the recent snow and rains and there are still areas of standing water. This is when the trails are most vulnerable to damage. Please use caution and common sense when hiking or riding this coming weekend to avoid further damage to the trails.
Arroyo Seco Fire Road
(1/29/2012) This trail is in fair condition and recommended for hikers. Due to a drainage washout west of the B-13 trail junction, this trail remains closed to equestrians.
Arroyo Seco Trail
(1/29/2012) This trail is in good condition and recommended for hikers.
Azalea Glen Fire Road
(1/25/12) The road is in good condition and open and usable by all users. Usual wet area near the Springs Fire Road.
Azalea Glen Road
(1/25/12) The road is in good condition and open and usable by all users. Usual wet area near the Springs Fire Road.
Azalea Glen Trail / CRHT
(4/7/2012) Several trees reported down on lower section. We are hoping to schedule a La Cima crew in to clear these.
Azalea Glen Loop Trail
From Paso Site 80 to Azalea Glen Road
(1/18/2012) No reported issues.
ADA Section
(3/10/2012) No reported issues.
Azalea Springs Fire Road
(4/7/2012) Large tree reported across the road just south of the 4 Corners junction.
B-13 Trail:
SEE FOX TRAIL
Black Oak Trail
East Branch
(12/7/2011) No reported issues.
West Branch
(4/4/2012) This trail is open for hikers. Mountain bikes and equestrians should avoid this trail due to several down trees and some overgrown brush.
Blue Ribbon Trail
January 25, 2012 No reported issues.
Burnt Pine Trail
Several down trees reported on the lower section.
C-11 Trail
SEE FIR TRAIL
California Riding & Hiking Trail (CRHT)
(4/9/2012). 2 down trees were cleared just east of the Vern Whittaker trail junction. Another down tree just off the paved Los Vaqueros road area was cleared.
A report was received of a down tree on CRHT (AKA West Mesa Trail in this area) in the vicinity of the Arroyo Seco Trail junction.
Cold Spring Trail
No reported issues.
Cold Stream Trail
(4/9/2012) A tree is down across the trail just south of the CRHT junction at the Mine Road.
TRAIL ADVISORY:The section of trail south of Paso Picacho almost to the switchbacks is in poor condition. Hikers should use caution here. This section is not recommended for equestrians at this time.
TRAIL ADVISORY #2: There is copious poison oak along the trail from Paso Picacho all the way down past the switchbacks until you reach the meadow area. There are several areas where the poison oak is right next to the trail. Watch for it and stay on the trail and you should be OK.
TRAIL ADVISORY #3: Approximately midpoint between the Stonewall Peak Trail junction and the CRHT junction, there is a fallen tree above the trail with approximately 8′ of clearance from the trail.
The segment of Cold Stream Trail from the Visitor Center south to the river crossing and to East Side Trail has been cleared of encroaching brush and is in good condition.
Conejos Trail
(2/1/2012) The trail is in fair condition and is recommended for hikers.
TRAIL ADVISORY A very large oak has fallen across the trail near the bottom of the trail. This tree cannot be cleared with our equipment. A short reroute has been constructed around this blockage and hikers will have no problem getting around this.
The section of Conejos trail between Lookout Road and the Burnt Pine Trail junction is clear and in good condition.
CRHT
SEE CALIFORNIA RIDING & HIKING TRAIL
Dead Horse Trail
(4/7/2012) Brushing work is continuing on this trail.
Descanso Creek Trail
Lower
(1/28/2012) Brushing work has been started on this trail. Trail is in good shape and usable by all authorized users.
Upper (AKA “Bernie’s Trail”)
(2/22/2012) Trail has been completely surveyed on this date. Several small down trees were cleared. Except for some brush issues, this trail is clear and usable by all authorized users.
Dyar Springs Trail
(1/10/2012) No reported issues.
E-16 Trail
SEE OAK TRAIL
East Mesa Fire Road
(3/14/2012) No reported issues.
East Side Trail
No reported issues.
“F-12″ Trail
SEE HILL TRAIL
“F-15″ Trail
SEE PINE TRAIL
“F-16″ Trail
SEE OAK TRAIL
Falls Fire Road
There is a large patch of poison oak on the north side of the road just west of the Falls Connector Trail. Stay well into the road and away from the edge here and you will be OK.
A large fallen rock is partially blocking the road near the Birdwatching Station.
Fern Flat Fire Road
(4/7/2012) Several down trees at the Peak Road junction were cleared off the road today.
ADVISORY: Reforestation projects are in progress along the north side Fern Flat Fire Road east of the “dog leg” turn.
Fir Trail (aka C-11)
No reported issues.
TRAIL ADVISORY: There is a short section of this trail approximately .2mi from the Fern Flat F.R. junction where it is easy to get off trail. We have marked this area as best we can with orange flags and by blocking the “volunteer trails” with logs. Just pay attention to the markings and you will be OK.
Fox Trail (B-13)
(1/18/12) Trail has been recently brushed and is in good condition.
Grass Trail (H-17)
No reported issues
Green Valley Falls Trail
UPPER
(1/17/12) No reported issues
H-17 Trail:
SEE GRASS TRAIL
Harvey Moore Trail
(4/7/2012) No reported issues other than the below advisory.
TRAIL ADVISORY: Heavy overgrown brush on the switchbacks north of Deer Park.
Hill Trail (aka F-12)
(1/4/12) No reported issues.
Japacha Connector Trail
January 4, 2012 – This trail has been brushed and is in good condition for the entire length.
TRAIL ADVISORY: There are some areas of Poison Oak along here – mostly along the downhill side. Stay on the trail and you will be OK.
Japacha Fire Road
(4/1/2012) No reported issues.
Juaquapin Trail
(3/28/2012) No reported issues.
TRAIL ADVISORY: There are some areas of Poison Oak along here – mostly along the downhill side. Stay on the trail and you will be OK.
Kelly’s Ditch Fire Road
No reported issues. Please note that the trail connecting the northern terminus of the Fire Road to Heise County Park is closed.
Please note that this trail is still considered closed.
As a bonus, there is a lot of new growth pine along this fire road – especially at the northern end.
Kelly’s Ditch Trail
Kelly’s Ditch Trail from the northern terminus of Kelly’s Ditch Fire Road to the Heise County Park boundary is CLOSED until further notice.
The Trail between the Minshall Trail junction and Engineer’s Road has a number of fallen trees and overgrown brush. Use of this trail is not advisable at this time.
Los Caballos Trail
(1/15/2012) No reported issues.
La Cima Trail
No reported issues.
Los Vaqueros Trail
(1/4/2012) No reported issues.
Lower Descanso Creek Trail
SEE DESCANSO CREEK TRAIL
Marty Minshall Trail
(1/11/12) Trail is in generally good condition and usable by all authorized users. The section of trail between the Employee Housing across from the lake and the crossing at Wolahi Road is fairly overgrown with brush.
(1/30/2012) Section between the Hwy 79 crossing east to the meadow area south of Trout Pond has been brushed.
(2/4/2012) Section between Stonewall Horse Camp and Los Vaqueros Trail junction is clear.
TRAIL ADVISORY: It is easy to get off trail in the area of the Cuyamaca Lake Store / Sugar Pine Trail junction / Employee Housing area. We plan to put some better trail signs in this area in the near future.
Merrigan Fire Road
(1/25/2012) No reported issues.
Middle Peak Fire Road
(4/7/2012) A down tree across the road in the vicinity of the water tank has been reported.
Nature Trail (at Paso Picacho Day Use area)
(1/14/12) Trail has been brushed and cleared of fallen trees.
Oak Trail (F-16)
No reported issues.
Oakzanita Trail
(2/22/2012) The section of trail between East Mesa FR and the Upper Descanso Creek Trail junction is mostly clear of overgrown brush.
The section between the Upper Descanso Creek Trail junction and Oakzanita Peak has some heavy overgrown brush.
Paso Campground / West Side Connector Trail
No reported issues.
Peak Fire Road
January 4, 2012 – A construction project is in progress at the radio repeaters at the top of Cuyamaca Peak. Heavy trucks are using this road during the week, so use this road with caution. So far, no construction activities on the weekends so the road should be clear on Saturdays and Sundays.
Pine Trail (F-15)
A down tree appx ¼ mile south of the Juaquapin Trail junction has been reported.
Saddleback Trail
Other than the usual heavy vegetation growth at the river crossing, no problems have been reported.
Soapstone Grade Fire Road
No reported issues.
South Boundry Fire Road
No reported issues.
Stonewall Creek Fire Road
(3/28/2012) No reported issues.
Stonewall Mine Trail
December 1, 2010 – One fallen tree blocking the horse trail just above the restrooms was removed.
Stonewall Peak Trail
(4/4/2012) No reported issues.
Sugar Pine Trail
(3/8/12) Brushing work is continuing on the west section of the trail.
The east section of Sugar Pine Trail (from the Fire Road Connector to the Minshall trail junction) remains closed.
Sweetwater Trail
No reported issues.
Upper Descanso Creek Trail
SEE DESCANSO CREEK TRAIL
Upper Green Valley Fire Road
(4/4/2012) Road is clear and in good condition.
Upper Green Valley Trail
(4/4/2012) Trail is clear and in good condition from the Soapstone Grade Road junction to the Park Boundary.
Vern Whittaker Trail
No reported issues.
West Mesa Fire Road
(3/14/2012) No reported issues.
West Mesa Trail
(1/18/2012) Heavy overgrown brush in the area of the Airplane Monument.
Report of several down trees between the Monument and Arroyo Seco Trail junctions.
West Side Trail
(3/24/2012) Report of fallen trees south of Paso Picacho.
