Category Archives: Peak Bagging

Peak Bagging

Stonewall Peak Trail Loop

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RANCHO CUYAMACA STATE PARK

5.5 miles, 5,730′ elevation, 1050′ elevation gain, 2.5 hour duration, rated Moderately Strenuous

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

Date: 5-9-22

It was a beautiful Spring day. My 8:30 AM start found the air a bit crisp, but delightful especially when considering this hike was rather steep right off the get go. The switchbacks however, certainly made it quite manageable. The area was adorned with shady oaks, and sycamores trees along with desert chaparral and manzanilla.

The Long and Winding Road is steep and pocked with loose rocks so sturdy hiking boots would be beneficial.

As I climbed higher in elevation I was afforded wonderful views of the park with each footfall. That last portion was a slight scramble, but a handrail and carved steps aided the final ascent to the top. Once on the Summit it was a 360 degree view of Rancho Cuyamaca State Park including Cuyamaca Peak, which I have climbed previously, the Laguna Mountains, the Santa Rosa Mountains, Anza-Borrego, the Salton Sea, Palomar Mountain, San Jacinto Peak, even Mexico. It was pretty astounding.

The front portion of the hike is one of the most popular hikes in the Park. I wanted to add some additional mileage, plus I always like a loop if there is that possibility. So I dropped down the backside which is a “road less traveled”, as the saying goes. This is more of a path and it is a little less cared for than the front section, but you will have the place much more to yourself. The trek decends in elevation to a meadow lined with fir trees. Flowers were saying hello to Spring with welcoming brightly colored blooms.

The hike wanders down Stonewall Peak Trail then takes a left on California Riding and Hiking Trail, a left on Cold Stream Trail and follow that to where you began.

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Stonewall Peak
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“You can’t climb uphill with downhill thoughts.” – Zig Ziglar

Thanks for joining my Peak Bagging excursion while I was out ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’ in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park. If you look at the menu above then you will discover that PBTA ventures to many fine places throughout the West in order to inspire others to put down the clicker, get off the couch and discover what adventures might await. The hope is to put a little Balance into a life that might otherwise be ho-hum at times and stressed out at other times. We can quickly get over taxed with appointments, deadlines, and responsibility. Nature can provide that needed breather. Breath in Nature… breath out stress. The menu is categorized mostly by location. Each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Speaking of which please: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. The hat on my head can be yours for a nominal price. It is part of my Adventure Wear Line and carries the PBTA Logo. I invite you to check it out at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Cleveland National Forest, Peak Bagging

Garnet Peak

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CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST

NEAR MOUNT LAGUNA

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

4.5 miles, 5899′ elevation, 730′ elevation gain, 2.5 hour duration, rated Moderate

Date: 12-10-22

Exquisite views for moderate effort. This spot is where the desert meets the mountains. From Garnet Peak you look down at Anza-Borrego and mountains all around.

After climbing McGinty Mountain the day before, I spent a chilly night camping in my rig.

It was a super day and time to hit the trail. Bluebird sort of day, rugged mountainside, with the desert sprawled out in front of me. It really was quite stunning, a view so nice it was hard to pull away.

It is a fun hike through terrain that was somewhat desert and somewhat coastal type chaparral. The summit obviously had the killer views, but there were plenty of peaking down a ravine to see the desert floor down below.

Final push to the Summit of Garnet Peak.
Summit
Not one day you are here has been promised you, so make the most of
every day as if it was your last and every breath, as if it was the same. 
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Garnet Peak
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Thank you for joining me on this hike in the Laguna Mountains to Garnet Peak while I was out ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. Please stick around for more adventure by doing some simple tasks: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. The menu above shows hiking areas all over the West and is mostly categorized by location. Each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. In the picture I am wearing one of my PBTA caps, checkout my line of Adventure Wear at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Peak Bagging

McGinty Mountain Trail

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SAN DIEGO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

JAMAL

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

5.5 miles, 2139’ elevation, 1580’ elevation gain, 2.5 hour duration, rated Hard

Date: 12-9-22

Rising out of a rural community you can’t really get away from the sprawl of man. So being a nature lover of wilderness it isn’t my favorite type of hike. That being said the trail is rugged dirt and rock, steep in places, and covered in chaparral. The area is beautiful it’s just that everyone else thought so too and moved here. 

Little scramble at the top over some boulders to the summit provides great views of San Diego all the way to Mexico, Mount Laguna, Cuyamaca Peak, Palomar Mt and the Pacific Ocean. 

This hike isn’t as popular as some of the other San Diego Peaks so you should be able to find parking in the small lot, but beware there are some reports of break ins and I am always wary of that after my rig has been broken into before.

“If you are in a bad mood, go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk.” – Hippocrates
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Mcginty Mountain Trail
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Thanks for joining me peak bagging Mt McGinty, one of the San Diego 100 Peaks List, as I found myself “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure”. We all need Balance in our busy world of appointments and deadlines, squeezing time in for this and squeezing time in for that. Balance can be discovered during adventurous outings in Nature even on a rather urbanish hike. It’s still worthy effort to the top, a good trail, and great views- even it the view is urban sprawl, it’s all good. If you happen upon the menu at the top you might checkout hikes that are a little more wild, if that is what you are looking for, as you seek that all important Balance. I invite you to stay informed on all things PBTA by doing these easy things: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. The menu is categorized by location or activity, each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you like my hat then why not purchase one at SHOP APPAREL, where you will find my line of Adventure Wear with the PBTA Logo and Mantra.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Peak Bagging

The Potato Chip Via Mt. Woodson Trail

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Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

Date: March 4, 2019

Mt. Woodson Trail, Poway, California

Less than 8 miles, 4 hours in duration, over 2,100′ change in elevation, rated Hard

This is a must do hike for locals and visitors to the Poway area. It was rated as hard, but I would have to disagree with that rating as I would say it is moderate. Perhaps they gave it that rating as it has a descent elevation change over a fairly short amount of mileage. The elevation is quite gradual as you are pretty much always climbing as you head for the summit.

The terrain is very interesting it’s not alpine, it’s not desert, it’s something else. What it is, at least for my trip, was rolling green hills, (green from this winter’s unusual rain amounts), covered with brush and dotted with boulders, some of which are monstrous.

The most interesting of all the rock formations along the Mt Woodson Trail is the “Potato Chip.” I have never seen anything like it. It appears to me a large boulder where the whole underneath has eroded away leaving basically a “Walk the Plank, Arrrrr!” type of platform. It looks as thin and frail as a potato chip thus the name, “The Potato Chip”.

When you walk the plank, or in this case the Potato Chip, some say you can hear your foot steps echo as it vibrates with each step you take. You can only truly appreciate the peril of the situation if you are the person taking the picture. The person whom took my photo squealed, “oh geez”, as I just walked out there to the edge and especially when I dangled my feet over the side. He told me when he had gone out on the rock he crawled. From the top it pretty much looks like any other boulder you might be walking on. I figured I was not the first one to ever try this feat so it must be okay.

The “Potato Chip” is just shy of the Mt Woodson summit. If you care to dare then this is the only scrambling you will do on the trip, as you climb up on the first boulder. Then you take a bit of a leap over a crevasse to get out onto the rock. After my little adrenaline rush I slid down the boulder on the seat of my pants while attempting to jam my hiking boot into a crack as I went down to slow my descent.

The Mt Woodson trail has outstanding views in all directions much of the hike, but especially from the summit. Even though this was a cloudy Winter Monday, with temperatures in the 50’s, (which by the way is the perfect time to go as it is not too crowded), I could in the distance make out the skyline of downtown San Diego, Point Loma, and even further out a couple of islands off of Mexico.

I mentioned I went at the perfect time as it wasn’t too crowded. I did run into nearly 100 hikers on this well traveled hike but spread out nicely over the 8 mile trek. On a nice weekend, I am told, the wait to get your picture taken on the “Potato Chip” can be over an hour.

Really loved this hike, great workout, fantastic scenery, and the “Potato Chip” is pretty darn cool.

To access this hike I started in Lake Poway Park. There is a trail heading toward the Mt. Woodson Trail that goes by Poway Lake and then instead of following it around the lake you head on up.

Lake Poway

Spring is on the way.

The “Potato Chip”

Summit of Mt Woodson

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One of the monstrous boulders along the trek.

Rock staircase along the Mt Woodson Trail

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Cleveland National Forest, Peak Bagging

Los Pinos Lookout

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CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Day Hike, Tour, Interview and Peak Bagging

6.5 miles, 1500’ elevation gain, 3 hour duration, rated Hard

Date: 11-29-21

There are a few different ways to get to Los Pinos Mountain. I actually added the Los Pinos Mountain Lookout to my hike to Corte Madera, San Diego’s Half Dome hike. Since not everyone wants to do do 11 miles for a day hike I split the two different peaks into two different posts. Obviously the first half of the hike is the same for both until you get to the four corner junction.

So from the beginning, the trip to the trail head is 5 miles along a bumpy, dusty, country road. You need an Adventurer Pass or other National Forest Pass for Cleveland National Forest. 

Coming in on Corral Canyon Road the trailhead is not marked so having a hiking App, (preloaded, as you will not always have cell coverage), would be helpful. There is only room for maybe five cars. Hike passed the locked gate then work your way up a windy dirt road (called Kernan on the map I saw), for less than a half mile, (again an GPS App could be beneficial to find the trail). Just passed a sharp turn in the road turn left onto the Espinosa Trail. The trek is through heavy overgrown thorny brush that wants to reach out and scratch, so long pants and sleeves are something to consider. Along the way there are some lovely oaks for shade until you break out into bright sunshine with green hills sprinkled with boulders where you can marvel at the sight of Corte Madera, “San Diego’s Half Dome.” 

At the four corner junction you have the two choices to the left going up to Los Pinos Mountain. The first one is quite steep such as a path you might find for utility, but it is much shorter than the second option which is more of a fire road trail. What I did was take on the challenge of the steep option going up. Just because I would always rather have a loop than just out and back, along with going up steep and slippery is one thing, but going down steep and slippery is entirely another, I took the fire road down making it a bit of a loop.

On top I made a new friend interviewing Lookout Station Forester Dave, (the nicest guy), for PBTA.  Dave was very informative and had a wealth of knowledge that he was more than willing to share.  In fact truth be know, I think he was glad to have someone to talk to as being on the top of a tower, in the middle of a forest, all by your lonesome can get old I surmise. 

His tower is the Southern most Federal Lookout in the region.  Los Pinos Mountain has an elevation of 4774’ and the the lookout is perched atop a 1600’ tower. This gives Ranger Dave a birds eye view of the entire area and into Mexico. As he explained it, his job is monitoring the area for fires, but what he is really looking for is smoke, because if he sees fire he is too late.  He also monitors storms and keeps tracks of lightning strikes.  He loves his job and enjoys the views and the animals.  He showed me his photo log book of animals and the birds of prey.  Dave really had some wonderful shots.  He certainly has the vantage point that is for sure!   

We all certainly appreciate Dave and the important job that he does watching over and caring for our beloved wilderness.  Thanks Forest Ranger Dave!

I actually combined the two peaks, but this
post gives info on just the Los Pinos Mt portion.
A view of Corte Madera, “San Diego’s Half Dome’, from along the way.
PBTA YouTube Video Hike, Tour and Interview of the
Los Pinos Mountain Lookout Tower with Forest Ranger Dave.
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“The view up here is breathtaking, and I know it’s all downhill from here.”

I appreciate your joining me and Fire Tower Lookout Forest Ranger Dave on this adventure into the Cleveland National Forest ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ and the visit to the Lookout Tower high atop Los Pinos Mountain.  Stay with me for more adventurous outings in Nature by doing this: LIKE, FOLLOW, COMMENT and SHARE.  Browse the menu and you will discover that PBTA travels extensively throughout this wonderful West seeking the balance that Nature can bestow upon us if we just take the time.  For clothing that means Nature and Balance and Adventure I invite you to treat yourself at SHOP APPAREL.  

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Cleveland National Forest, Peak Bagging

Corte Madera Mountain Trail

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CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

7 miles, 1500’ elevation gain, 3.5 hour duration, rated HARD

Date: 11-29-21

San Diego’s Half Dome

The trip to the trail head is 5 miles along a bumpy, dusty, country road. You need an Adventurer Pass or other National Forest Pass for Cleveland National Forest. 

The trail head is not marked so having a hiking App, (preloaded, as you will not always have cell coverage), would be helpful. There is only room for maybe five cars. Hike passed the locked gate then work your way up a windy dirt road for less than a half mile, (again an GPS App could beneficial to find the trail), just passed a sharp turn in the road turn left onto the Espinosa Trail. The trek is through heavy overgrown thorny brush that wants to reach out and scratch, so long pants and sleeves are something to consider. Along the way there are some lovely oaks for shade until you break out into bright sunshine with green hills sprinkled with boulders where you can marvel at the sight of Corte Madera, “San Diego’s Half Dome.” 

Work your way up to a junction to Los Pinos Trail. You are dumped out on a 4×4 rough road for a short distance until back on the trail again. 

This hike get prettier and more difficult as you go. The last quarter has some scrambling, and the trail is narrow, steep and rocky through manzanita all the way to the summit.  On top there are spectacular views of the Cuyamaca and Laguna Mountains. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

I hiked two peaks both Corte Madera and Los Pinos Mountain. This post however, is covering the first.
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 I arrived the night before and found a lonely pull off nearby and camped in my rig for an early day break start. 
“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.”
-Jack Kerouac

Note: I actually combined this hike with Los Pinos Look Out Tower, which I will post separately as not everyone might want to add on another four miles to this hike.

Thanks for joining me ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ to Corte Madera, known as ”San Diego’s Half Dome. Please stick around for more adventure by doing a couple easy tasks: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. The menu above will enlighten you to the many fabulous locations and activities that PBTA ventures to throughout the West. Each is a separate Website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. This should wet your appetite and give you ideas about your next adventure. In business they sometimes say to take the pack off and put your feet up every once in awhile. In other words take your nose off of that grindstone and relax a bit. While I agree that you need a break from the hustle and bustle of our busy work-a-day world- I contend that you put the back on and hit the trail and get out into Nature, take on Adventure. Nature and Adventure is what will put Humpty Dumpty back together again, not sitting on the couch. If you like what I am wearing in the picture then I invite you to checkout SHOP APPAREL for your adventure wear.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Peak Bagging

El Cajon Mountain Trail

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EL CAPITAN COUNTY PRESERVE

Near Lakeside

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

12 miles, summit elevation 3675’, elevation gain 3743’, 6 hour duration, rated HARD

Date: 11-19-21

El Cajon Mountain, one of the coveted 6 Pack of Peaks in San Diego, sits in over 2,600 acres of natural protected land.  Half a mile from the parking lot, (which by the way, plan accordingly as to when the parking lot closes, it is at 4:30 PM in the winter), are bathrooms and the trailhead.  Also keep in mind that during the summer this would be a very hot place to hike, and the trail I have heard could be closed during August due to extreme heat.  Make sure that you bring plenty of water and snacks.  

El Cajon Mountain is not the highest, but has been called the “Toughest hike in San Diego.” It begins with rambling hills and a lot of up and down like a spin class.  You will get some switch backs and there are some really steep sections with loose rocks so trekking poles would be of assistance.  There is a split in the trail on the way up you will see that it talks about old and new.  The official route is go right, but either will work I took left on the way up and the other on the way down.  You will find a Stop sign at the half way mark reminding you that you still have a long ways to go and you need to plan for the closing of the parking lot.  The thrill of being close is greatly diminished when you come over the rise and there is a peak that has to be scrambled still. 

On top you have some awesome views of downtown San Diego off in the distance as well as plenty of hills and mountains.  

On my way down I added El Capitan Peak, after all I am a peak bagger and it is right there for the taking.   I also checked out old mines on the way back down the trail a piece. If you have not been in a cave then check them out, otherwise it wasn’t even worth putting on my head lamp lol. 

My Hobie Cat/Peak Bagging friend Keith Christensen once said, “If it didn’t hurt then it wasn’t worth it.”  This hike was worth it. 

There is a split in the trail either way works. I did the newer harder way on the way up and the Old Way not quite as hard on the way down.

My side trips to El Capitan Peak, (no not that El Capitan Peak…) and to the mine.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel
When everything feels like an up hill struggle, just think of the view from the top.

This was an hike I was looking forward to as a tough one and it did not disappoint. It was a good one, One where you felt that you accomplished something. It was hard, it was long, it was wonderful. The area was superb, and the vistas so sweet. Stay with me to celebrate such endeavors, which is easy to do, just: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you like my hat and shirt then checkout my adventure wear website SHOP APPAREL. I invite you to checkout the Menu above. It will show you some wondrous places all over the West that I have traveled to on behalf PBTA. The Menu is categorized by location as well as activity. Each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Peak Bagging

Volcan Mountain Trail

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VOLCAN MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS PRESERVE

Near Julian

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

6 miles, 5353’ elevation, 1300’ elevation gain, 3 hour duration, rated Moderate

Volcan Mountain is one of the Six Pack of Peaks for the San Diego area, which means for Peak Baggers this mountain is rather significant. I arrived at the location earlier than the 8AM lot opening, but I was informed by hikers that it is fine to park on the road and head on up ahead of the lot’s opening.

The top of the mountain provides wonderful views all the way to the Pacific and even of Catalina Island on a clear day. The other direction has views of Anza-Borrego and the Salton Sea. This point was in the 1920’s an Air Beacon for the US Postal Service providing night guidance for pilots. Some of the equipment is still visible.

I took Volcan Mountain Trail up which is a broad road. It ventures through Oaks and Manzanitas making it a lovely trek. On the way back I took the Five Oaks Trails which is single track, narrow and winding, with some switch backs furnishing more of the nature feel that I prefer than a road. It more or less parallels the Volcan Mountain Trail, but it will add on about a mile to your adventure. I will always make it a loop if given the choice.

Besides the lovely trees and vegetation I mentioned, I saw some wildlife that was fun: Wild Turkeys, Bunnies, Vultures and other birds of prey, deer and a lizard. I did not see any of the posted wild life that isn’t fun: Mountain Lion or Rattlesnake.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel, CLICK THE PIC!
I should have more mountains and less stress.

Thanks for Peak Bagging Volcan Mountain with me as I was ’Pursing Balance Through Adventure’. I hope this episode encourages you to get out and say hello to nature soon, as such an outing can bring the rest of our lives back into the balance that is so important for our well being. Stay with me by doing a few easy tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you care to peruse the menu above you will discover that PBTA ventures all across the West. The menu is divided up mostly by location. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you like my shirt and beanie they are available for purchase at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Peak Bagging

Sage Trail and Stanley Peak Loop

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DALEY RANCH

Near Escondido

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

10 miles, 1985’ elevation, 1560’ elevation gain, 4 hour duration, rated Moderate

Date: 11-12-21

Daley Ranch, near Escondido, provides 25 miles of hiking and biking trails on 3,150 acres of natural environment and historic ranch land.

Here is a success story for you. In 1868 Robert Daley, a young British immigrant, squatted on this land building a cabin, as the area was unmapped at the time and not available for purchase. He then purchased the land when it became available raised his family who became wealthy running a variety of businesses that included the Ranch. Fast forward to 1997 the City of Escondido purchased the land for 21 Million Dollars protecting it for use as a natural area for outdoor recreation and animal habitat.

There are a variety of trails throughout the ranch. I chose the Sage Trail and Stanley Peak Loop for my journey. I opted to take Old Water Tank Trail, which is short but steep, narrow, and more rugged option toward the peak and thus to me, more fun! I went on to add a short stint to the backside of Mallard Lake, which is a beautiful little pond like lake with reeds and some oak trees making it an idyllic spot to take a little break. I also added Boulder Loop, which added some mileage and a little elevation gain. Mostly what Boulder Loop added was a joyous trek through an area strewn with boulders and interesting rock formations. Some portions of the loop provided much appreciated shade from sturdy old oak trees.

Those were the add ons, but the loop itself has a variety of terrain from desert chaparral, meadows, rocky areas, as well as some tree line paths. Near the latter part of the hike is the Daley Ranch House. At the Ranch House location are bathrooms, tree shaded picnic tables, and some exhibits of historic ranch equipment.

The highlight of the hike is Stanley Peak which provides really nice views of the ranch, Escondido and the surrounding countryside to include many of the wonderful hills and mountains surrounding San Diego.

The more adventurous option of Old Tank Trail up towards Stanley Peak
Mallard Lake
Daley Ranch House
Dixon Reservoir
“Hiking, good for what ails you.” -Roger Jenkins
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure 

Another hike, another peak, another outing in nature, another ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. Calm the mind, ignite the spirit, energize the body, and nourish the soul- that my friends is what PBTA is all about and that is what Nature can do: restore and rejuvenate. Stay with me, we are on this journey together: FOLLOW, LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE. The above menu lists places throughout the West that are excellent for the rest from the chaotic, busy lives that we all lead in the modern world that we all desperately need to put it all back into Balance. For Adventure Wear such as that seen in the video clip please go to SHOP APPAREL for top quality gear.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Peak Bagging

Cuyamaca Peak

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VIA THE AZALEA GLEN LOOP

CUYAMACA RANCHO STATE PARK

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

8 Miles, 6,512’ elevation, 1870’ elevation gain, 4 hour duration, rated Moderate

Date: 11-10-21

Cuyamaca Peak is one of the “Six Pack of Peaks” coveted by Peak Baggers for being the second highest peak in San Diego County. The views from the top stretch from Mexico to the Coronado Islands, San Jacinto, to Granite Mountain in Anza Borrego, and it really is quite spectacular.

The State Park Charges $10 for day use, and there is a campground there if you are so inclined. This hike is a loop and I recommend doing it counter clockwise. If I had more time I might have done the hike as an out and back utilizing the Azalea Glen Trail portion in both directions. The second portion of this hike is down a paved fire road and that certainly is not my favorite, but you can cruise down it relatively quickly.

The hike starts out rather flat and gentle weaving through a wooded area with a variety of trees such as oak, alder and pine. Even though this area is recovering from one of the worst wildfires, a large portion of the trail is shielded from that view as the brush is built up along the trail. The hike becomes steeper adding some switch backs and you will experience some rocky areas so sturdy hike boots are a plus. You will be dumped out on a dirt fire road for a small section before taking the Conejos Trail all the way toward the summit where the final section is on the paved fire road called Lookout Road. On top you will have astounding views all around.

This state park had a series of incidents in the 80’s and 90’s regarding mountain lion attacks one which was fatal. Encounters with cougars are very rare. If you have a backpack on, leave it on to protect your back and neck as much as possible. If you should run across one of these animals make yourself big, wave your arms, throw rocks and sticks, yell at it, and do not crouch down. How do you pick up a rock? Well, that is a good question. We have all seen that one viral video where the mountain lion followed the guy for like a mile, and every time he bent over to pick up a rock it charged all fangs and claws, but when he finally did get a rock and flung it at the large cat it took off in a flash. The good news is those attacks were a long time ago and nothing like that has happened in over 25 years.

As I mentioned I took the paved route down on the Lookout Fire Road as shown on the map. It was late in the day so I just cruised down the road. Not the natural feeling that I felt on the way up, but it was quicker.

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Views from the top are pretty astounding.
“Of all the paths you take in life make sure A few of them are dirt.” – John Muir

Thanks for coming along on this trek up Cuyamaca Peak. People have been ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ in this area for 7000 years. To ensure that you remain on this journey to self fulfillment please COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you peruse the menu above you will find that PBTA ventures to many fine locales throughout the West, so you should be able to uncover plenty of inspiration there. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you need Adventure Wear, such as that pictured, you can find top quality gear with the Pursuing Balance Through Adventure Logo and Mantra at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure