Cuyamaca Peak via Milk Ranch Rd and Conejos Loop – 5 of 6
May 23, 2021
[Hubby] Is there anywhere you'd like to go for your birthday week-end? Funny you should ask… Road trip! ? ⛰ Having hiked the previous peaks solo or with a hiking buddy, I was looking forward to sharing this one with my husband.
The drive from North County to Julian is worth the trip alone, taking you the scenic route through the Pauma Valley, Lake Henshaw and Santa Ysabel before arriving in Julian. Another 15′ down the 79 will take you passed Cuyamaca Lake to the Cuyamaca Meadow Natural Preserve.
First stop: Cuyamaca Peak
The traditional Cuyamaca Peak TH starts at the Paso Picacho campground. I decided to start from the Los Vaqueros TH instead to minimize the amount of time spent on the paved fire road. The alternate TH is located at the southern end of lake Cuyamaca at the Milk Ranch Rd junction – you can also get to Middle Peak from there.
We had barely gotten started going up a wild flowers flanked Mild Ranch Road that we were greeted by a herd of deers and some wild turkeys – what an idyllic start! A little further up and looking south towards the peak, the scars from the devastating 2003 Cedar Fire were still very apparent, but the area was showing encouraging signs of recovery. [Cuyamaca Rancho State park reforestation project]
The landscape changed drastically after we turned onto the Azalea trail and connected to the Conejos trail. We transitioned from a wide, well maintained gravel road to a steep, narrow and rocky rugged trail flanked by encroaching manzanitas on Conejos. The deep red ochre colored dirt was striking and an unexpected change from the usual brownish D.G. I was used to seeing. I particularly enjoyed this part of the hike!
The Conejos trail eventually rejoined the main paved fire road for the last half mile up to the summit. USGS marker – oh where art thou?? Elusive little thing… We made our way back a little further down the steep lookout road to take the Azalea Spring fire trail junction which also reconnects with Milk Ranch Rd. This was a great alternate route for our way back with a more gentle and scenic descent on the azalea trail.
After a lunch picnic at the Cuyamaca Meadow Natural Preserve, we drove back to Julian for a much anticipated coffee break at the Regulars Wanted coffee house.
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