-Cuyamaca Peak-

HPS: #6
SDC: #5

Elevation: 6,512 ft.

Date Hiked: 01/24/2009

Trip Report:
I have hiked Cuyamaca Peak a few times before, but this is the first time I had both a camera and done this hike post 2003 fires.

The Trail Through the Campground

After paying $6 to park I started the hike at 10:30 A.M. The first part of the hike climbs through the Paso Picacho Campground. It then joins the fire access road to the top. The firefighters in the area were doing controlled burns near the start on both sides of the road. I continued to follow the road as it wound up the mountain. There were only very few people on the mountain on this day. It was cool and cloudy on the upper mountain. Around 6000 ft the trail began to enter the clouds.

I continued up through the clouds and eventually made my way to the summit. It was cold (for San Diego standards), windy and foggy on top. I could not see more than a few feet. I took a few photos and headed down. The trip took about 2 hours altogether.

The Paved Trail

Here is one of the spots the firefighters were doing a controlled burn. Notice the gray ash in the bottom portion of the photo.

Fire Damage

Burned Trees

Snow and Clouds

Trees in the Clouds

The Trail in the Clouds

Dense Fog Near the Summit

Stonewall Peak Below the Cloud Layer