HIKE IT UP! Cuyamaca Mnt Peak via Azalea Glen Loop: 8:30a-12:30a + Lunch Social!

The Cuyamaca Peak via Azalea Glen Loop trail is a lightly hiked with amazing pine forest views. The trail begins at the Paso Picacho Campground day-use area off of Highway 79. This is a paid, gated, parking lot located across from Stonewall Peak, about 11 miles south of Julian, CA. The lot features bathrooms, water, and picnic tables. Cost is $10 per-vehicle and includes day-use for Cuyamaca State Park.

The hike starts on the west side of the highway, where the Azalea Glen Trailhead begins and which is visible just southwest of the parking area. First 1.5 miles is an ascent through a beautiful dense forest to the Conejos Trail. The Conejos Trail follows the ridgeback of the Cuyamaca Mountain and is approximately 2.5 miles. This trail will lead to a paved fire road for the last 0.5 miles to the top of Cuyamaca Peak. The views from this second highest peak in San Diego County are spectacular!

Once we peak and rest, we will complete our loop hike back down to the parking area by means of the paved fire road. After the hike, plan to join us for a social event where we will have lunch together at the picnic area near the parking lot. The plan is for everyone to pack their own lunch but you are always welcome to bring something to share as well.

Key Trail Information:

• Location: On Google Maps, type in “13652 CA-79, Julian, CA 92036” and it will navigate you to the Paso Picacho Campground.
• Distance: 7.4 miles loop.
• Elevation Gain: 1814 feet.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Time: Approx. 2.5-3 hours.
• Features: dense forest, granite rock trail, panoramic summit views.
• Peak Elevation: 6512 feet

Where to Meet us:
Use map app to navigate to “13652 CA-79, Julian, CA 92036”. This will navigate you to the Paso Picacho Campground. Parking fee is $10. We will meeting at 8:20am. Hike starts promptly at 8:30am.

If you wish to bring a guest, please have them join our group and sign up for the event.

Please note the following: KNOW YOUR LIMITS and be prepared. Going out with us is the same as going out with a few friends. Expect the same risks, take the same precautions.

As organizers, we will do our best to give accurate descriptions of the hikes we post. Please note, this is NOT a race or fast pace hike. Plan on up to 3 hours on the trail. If you're a beginning hiker, a hike's elevation and distance may not mean much to you. Likewise, difficulty ratings are subjective, and a hike that is "easy" to one person may be "moderate" to another. Err on the side of caution if you are unsure.

You're much better off going on a hike that's too easy for you than a hike that's too hard or too dangerous for you. As you go on more hikes with us, you'll become more familiar with our ratings and our descriptions, and you'll learn more about your own limits. Ultimately, it's up to you to keep yourself safe out there. One note, please bring more water than you think you will need. Better to carry the extra weight, than be thirsty.

Waiver and Release of Liability
I am voluntarily participating in the aforementioned activity and I am participating in the activity entirely at my own risk. I am aware of the risk associated with traveling to and from as well as participating in this activity, which may include, but are not limited to, physical or psychological injury, pain and suffering, illness, disability, economic or emotional loss and death. I understand that these injuries or outcomes may arise from my own or others' negligence, conditions related to travel, or the condition of the activity location. Nonetheless, I assume all related risks, both known or unknown to me, of my participation in this activity, including travel to, from and during this activity.