“What is to give light must endure burning” – Unknown. Stonewall & Cuyamaca Peaks doublebagged today, thus accomplishing Peak # 2 of the SoCal #sixpackofpeaks. Total Distance: 9.38 miles. Total Time: 2 hrs 24 min. Elevation Gain: 2,480 ft. Max Elevation: 6,500 ft.
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Overcast and chilly, I ran half the distance to work up a sweat (the downhill part ????). Stonewall Peak is always a fun, short hike, the last few hundred feet a staircase carved into the side of the rock. The summit is a small area surrounded by railing and has room for only 6 people or so.
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This was just a warmup for Cuyamaca Peak, whose trailhead is just across the road from Stonewall. The trail itself is entirely the Lookout service road, which is pretty unspectacular at best. But there’s been recent ongoing construction, so equipment is present most of the way up (including an overturned Port-a-Potty!). Most notable is the prescribed burning of the vegetation alongside the road, and marked with Extremely Sensitive Area signs everywhere. One can only hope the natural beauty once seen on this hike will return soon enough.