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Have 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.
FIRE ROAD ADVISORY
January 4, 2012 – We have been advised by the Park’s Roads and Trails Coordinator that the following Fire Roads have been inspected and are clear and usable: Azalea Spring, Fern Flat, West Mesa, Japacha, Stonewall Creek and Arroyo Seco.
Arroyo Seco Fire Road
(1/25/12) Road is clear and in good condition
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
December 7, 2011 – The road is in good condition and open and usable by all users. Usual wet area near the Springs Fire Road, but it is fairly dry right now.
Azalea Glen Trail / CRHT
(1/12/2012) No reported issues.
Azalea Glen Loop Trail
From Paso Site 80 to Azalea Glen Road
(1/18/2012) No reported issues.
ADA Section
January 25, 2012 No reported issues.
Azalea Springs Fire Road
No reported issues.
B-13 Trail:
SEE FOX TRAIL
Black Oak Trail
East Branch
(12/7/2011) No reported issues.
West Branch
THIS TRAIL IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Blue Ribbon Trail
January 25, 2012 No reported issues.
Burnt Pine Trail
January 25, 2012 Several down trees reported on the lower section.
C-11 Trail
SEE FIR TRAIL
California Riding & Hiking Trail (CRHT)
(1/25/2012) Down tree blocking the trail near Los Caballos Trail junction was cleared. No other reported issues.
Cold Stream Trail
January 4, 2012 – The section of trail south from the bottom of the switchbacks and stream crossing is fairly brushy. See “Trail Advisory #2″ below.
The section of trail between Paso Campground and the Mine Road / CRHT junction is clear and in good condition.
TRAIL ADVISORY: The section of trail south of Paso Picacho almost to the switchbacks is in poor condition. Equestrians and hikers should use caution here.
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
January 4, 2012 – There are a number of trees down on this trail between Lookout Road and the Springs Fire Road. This section of the trail is not advised for use at this time.
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
The trail is usable but the brush is heavy in several areas.
Descanso Creek Trail
Lower
(1/4/12) Slightly brushy in areas – otherwise in good condition.
Upper (AKA “Bernie’s Trail”)
(1/3/12) Report of several down trees on the upper end near Oakzanita Trail.
Dyar Springs Trail
1/10/2012) No reported issues.
Brush has been cleared for approximately 1/4 mile up from the East Side Trail junction, however heavy brush is intruding on the trail above this point.
E-16 Trail:
SEE OAK TRAIL.
East Mesa Fire Road
(1/4/2012) 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.
Fern Flat Fire Road
This road is open, clear and usable by all users. However, please heed the following Trail Advisory:
TRAIL ADVISORY:There is copious Poison Oak growth on both sides of Fern Flat fire road so please use caution. Most of this Poison Oak is concentrated between the 90 degree curve and the C-11 trail junction. Some vines are growing out onto the road. Stay on the road and away from the vegetation on the sides of the road and you should be OK.
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 (aka 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
(1/15/12) Report of down trees in the vicinity of the Dyar Springs Trail intersection.
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
No reported issues.
Juaquapin Trail
(12/5/11) Report of trees down above the East Side Connector Trail.
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.
As a bonus, there is a lot of new growth pine along this fire road – especially at the northern end.
Los Caballos Trail
(1/15/2012) No reported issues.
Los Cima Trail
No reported issues.
Los Vaqueros Trail
January 4, 2012 – A down tree just north of the Mine Road has been cleared. Otherwise, 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.
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) Several down trees have been cleared off the road. This road should be clear for it’s length.
Mickey James Horse Camp
December 1, 2010 – Removed a large fallen Oak limb that was blocking the connector trail to the Cold Stream Trail. Also, we cleared some low hanging limbs along Cold Stream Trail between the Horse Camp and the Sweetwater River crossing. We cleared some of the reeds growing along the river bank to allow a little easier access to the river crossing.
Middle Peak Fire Road
(1/25/2012) Eastern section of the road is clear and in good condition.
TRAIL ADVISORY: A mastication project is in progress on the west slope of middle peak. Heavy equipment is in use in this area so use caution. There should be no work in progress on weekends.
(12-7/11) TRAIL ADVISORY: (1/25/2012) A proscribed burn at the peak and on west facing slopes was conducted last week. There are areas here that are still smoldering.
Monument Trail
November 17, 2010 – A CDC / CDF fire crew cleared brush from the West Side Trail junction up to the top at the West Mesa Trail Junction. ***HAZARD ADVISORY*** There is a bees nest in the engine block at the Airplane Monument. Not advised to sit and rest here.
Nature Trail (at Paso Picacho Day Use area
(1/14/12) Trail has been brushed and cleared of fallen trees.
Oak Trail (aka F-16)
No reported issues.
Oakzanita Trail
(1/3/2012) The trail is in fair condition with some remaining areas of overgrown brush.
Paso Picacho Nature Trail
May 25, 2011 – Report of a small tree down on this trail.
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 Ridge Trail
June 8, 2011 – A report of two small down trees near the campground end. These trees do not pose an impediment to hikers.
Pine Trail (aka F-15)
No reported issues.
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.
Springs Fire Road
We checked this road and it is open and clear from the Peak Road to Milk Ranch Road
Stonewall Creek Fire Road
No reported issues.
Stonewall Horse Camp
March 23, 2011 – A large fallen oak branch that was blocking both the Minshall Trail and the camp driveway was cleared. Be careful at this area – several large “widowmakers” are still hanging over the driveway.
Stonewall Mine; Old Reservoir Road
March 23, 2011 – Several fallen trees were cleared from the road.
Stonewall Mine Trail
December 1, 2010 – One fallen tree blocking the horse trail just above the restrooms was removed.
Stonewall Peak Fire Road
(1/14/2012) No reported issues on either “Front” or “Back”
Stonewall Peak Trail (Back of Stonewall Peak)
Back Trail
January 4, 2012 – Several down trees near the top.
Front Trail
January 4, 2012 – One down tree reported near the top.
Sugar Pine Trail
1/14/12) The Western section between the Fire Road Connector and the top of Middle Peak is now clear and usable for hikers. Due to some remaining areas of overgrown brush, equestrians and runners will use this trail at their own risk.
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 Green Valley Fire Road
January 4, 2012 – No reported issues.
Upper Green Valley Trail
January 4, 2012 – Approximately 1/4 mile north of the trailhead at the end of Upper Green Valley Fire Road there is a large down oak branch across the trail with approximately 8′ of clearance from the trail. Also, a “widowmaker” issue here. Otherwise, no problems reported on this trail.
Upper Descanso Creek Trail:
SEE DESCANSO CREEK TRAIL
Vern Whittaker Trail
No reported issues.
West Mesa Fire Road
(1/16/2012) No reported issues.
West Mesa Trail
(1/18/2012) A very large down tree blocking the trail just south of the West Mesa/Japacha Fire Roads junction was partially cleared. Hikers and equestrians will have no problem getting around this partial blockage.
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
(1/18/12) No reported issues
