Dyar Spring and Juaquapin Creek Loop

A six-mile loop through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park with an elevation gain of about 800 feet. Schad says it's a good area to spot mule deer and coyotes. The rest/snack stop is in a rocky area with shade trees near Dyar Spring. It's a popular hike, and one of my favorites.

Dogs are not allowed on the trails in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

The Dyar Spring Trail runs through grassy meadows where foxtails and other sticky plants can be a nuisance. Don't wear fluffy socks! There will be two or three small stream crossings. The hike begins with a long, unshaded ascent on Harvey Moore Trail. The rest of the hike is mostly level or downhill. The last part of the hike is shaded.

This hike begins and ends like the Harvey Moore Trail hike we did on May 31, but it is much shorter and easier.

Meet at 9:30 AM at the large Sweetwater Parking Area near mile 4.8 on Highway 79 where it crosses the Sweetwater River in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (N 32 54.627 W 116 34.440). Google Maps shows this parking area as "Harvey Moore Trailhead". It has rest rooms, but no drinking water. At 9:45 AM we will hit the trail. We should return to the parking area between 12:30 and 1:30 PM.

This is now a paid parking area. You can pay cash ($10) at the parking area, or you can use a (balky?) machine at the nearby Green Valley Park that accepts credit cards and dispenses day passes. (I have an annual state park pass.)

SUGGESTED ROUTE from San Diego: Take I-8 east to exit 40 (Highway 79, Descanso, Japatul Vly Rd). Go north on Highway 79 to the parking area. Don't miss the place where Highway 79 makes a left turn!

Check your favorite weather page on the Internet. (I like http://www.weather.com.) Wear good hiking shoes and suitable clothing, take water and use sun protection. You might want to take a snack to eat at Dyar Spring. Take a camera if you wish. Call or send E-mail if you have questions.

CONTACT: Philip Erdelsky, cell 619-866-8512, e-mail *pje@efgh.com*

Cell phone service is spotty and unreliable in this area. My phone has service at the trailhead, when the wind is blowing in the right direction ;-). There is good service at some higher elevations.

We've done this hike before, most recently on December 26, 2023. (Has it been that long?) For more information, including some pictures, see
www.meetup.com/sandiegodayhikers/events/296864301.

Trail maps are available at www.efghmaps.com/parks/cuyamacarancho.htm.
This hike is number 165 in Afoot & Afield San Diego County.