I parked at the Paso Picacho campground and headed towards Azalea Glen Loop trail, a shady tree-lined path that led to a fire-ravaged clearing.  I encountered numerous metate, the most I’d ever seen in a single slab of rock.  At Azalea Spring, which was actually an arid field, I made a wrong turn and headed down a fire road dotted with firewood teepees that ended at a paved road.

I turned around and found my intended route, Conejos trail, back near Azalea Spring.  I enjoyed this rocky uphill section with young pines that whispered and swayed in the wind.  It was a strange weather pattern where I was enjoying a brisk day in the upper 50s while my friends back in San Diego were sweltering in 90-degree heat.

As I neared the summit I found myself on pavement and I followed a steep and winding road.  I took a picture of the Cuyamaca Peak sign and found a shaded rock where I ate my lunch.

After a short while two women climbed towards and past me to what they told me was the “actual peak”.  They had hiked this trail numerous times along the West Mesa and Burnt Pine routes.  I followed them to the true peak and took a picture of the register there.

On the way down I spotted Burnt Pine trail and followed it for a short time as an alternate route to the paved service road.  This was quite beautiful and scenic and I think I may return to hike these other trails leading to Cuyamaca.  The cabins in Paso Picacho might be an interesting weekend getaway too!