I completed the SoCal Six Pack in 2021 and for a new challenge in 2022, I'm adding on San Diego! I intend to do the hikes roughly in order, but mistakenly thought the first hike Volcan Mountain was closed due to rain/snow, so ended up at Cuyamaca Peak instead. I started the hike at Paso Picacho campground parking lot and took the Azalea Springs trail. The first 2 or so miles were pretty muddy after the recent rains, although nothing too bad. There was some running water that was pleasant to hear after so many dry months recently. As I hiked on there were intermittent bits of snow that became more frequent. I put on my microspikes shortly after getting onto the Conejos Trail around the 2.75 mi mark. I'm glad I had them as it was a snowy and at some parts a little icy the rest of the way to the peak. Around a mile from the summit the area was much more wooded and you could hear the ice falling off the higher tree branches. I watched my head and enjoyed the sound. The Conejos trail met up with the paved road about a half mile from the summit. The views from the top were amazing! I spent a few minutes soaking it in at the end of Lookout Road and then made my way up through the snow covered rocks to the actual summit, where I was all alone and enjoyed my lunch. I took the paved road back down. My total mileage was 8.1 mi.

The views here were so amazing – this was my first hike in the San Diego area ever and it did not disappoint! I lucked out with a gorgeous clear day, not too cold. It was pretty special to be able to have such great views of several of the other peaks I'll be hiking in the coming months.