Cuyamaca Web Layout 09301010
Transcript of Cuyamaca Web Layout 09301010
California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (760) 765-3020. This publication is available in alternate formats by contacting:
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKSP.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001For information call: (800) 777-0369
(916) 653-6995, outside the U.S.711, TTY relay service
www.parks.ca.gov
Discover the many states of California.™
Our MissionThe mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.
© 2010 California State Parks
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park13652 Highway 79Julian, CA 92036(760) 765-3020
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Hidden waterfalls and
more than 100 miles of
trails through forest
and meadow silently
witness the regrowth of
Cuyamaca Rancho
State Park.
E ast of San Diego, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park offers respite from the dry Southern California landscape. The park’s 24,700 acres of oak and conifer forests and expansive meadows are broken by running streams.
Located in the Peninsular Range of mountains, Cuyamaca Peak, at 6,512 feet, is the second highest point in San Diego County. From the peak, visitors can see Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to the east or the Pacific coastline to the west. Over half of the park's acreage is designated as state wilderness.
HISTORY
Native PeopleThe ancestors of today’s Kumeyaay Indians occupied the Cuyamaca mountains from antiquity into the historic period. Their village sites are located throughout the
state park, including Ah-ha’ Kwe-ah-mac’ (”what the rain left behind”), Iguai’ (“the nest”), Wa-Ku-Pin’ (“warm house”), Mitaragui’ (“crooked land”), Pilcha’ (“basket bush”) and Guatay’ (“big house”). Historic mention of the Cuyamaca Kumeyaay begins in 1782 when Spanish Lt. Col. Pedro
Fages noted that the villagers “approached me very pleasantly and I gave them some beads.” However, the Kumeyaay did not want to give up their independence, and resisted missionization. In 1837 a Mexican expedition attacked the villagers of Ah-ha’ Kwe-ah-mac’ after the Kumeyaay raided two ranchos to the south, eventually exacting a promise from the Kumeyaay to leave the settlers alone.
Augustin Olvera of Los Angeles obtained the Rancho Cuyamaca grant in 1845. Olvera intended to harvest timber but his contractor, Cesario Walker “being afraid of the Indians, who made a kind of revolution, abandoned the place.”
By 1857, few Kumeyaay remained. James Lassator reportedly bought 160 acres in Green Valley from the last hereditary chief of the region. Lassator’s family maintained a home, hay fields and a way-station there, supplying those using the area's early overland trails until after his death in 1865.
Gold Mining in CuyamacaThe 1869 discovery of gold near today’s town of Julian triggered a brief but frenzied rush to the Cuyamaca mountains. The southernmost and most profitable of the mines was the Stonewall, located south of the Laguna Cuyamaca. By 1872, this profitable hard-rock mine supported a permanent worker’s camp and mill. In 1886 mining entrepreneur and soon-to-be California Governor Robert W. Waterman purchased and expanded the Stonewall’s operations. At its peak from 1886 to 1891, the mine produced over 7,000 pounds of gold while regularly employing 200 men and housing their families at its company town, Cuyamaca City. Financial problems ensued after Waterman’s death, and by 1892 hard-rock mining had ended.
Spring wildflowers bloom in expansive meadows.
Kumeyaay dwellingSketch by J.W. Audubon, 1849
Stonewall Peak offers panoramic summit views.
Later owners separated remaining gold from previously milled ore tailings with cyanide leaching until final closure in 1906. After the miners left, Cuyamaca City continued for several years as a mountain resort.
Becoming a State ParkCapitalist Ralph M. Dyar bought the rancho in 1923, along with partners planning resort development for the lakefront's northern half. Dyar also built his family a beautiful second home in Green Valley, using local stone and salvaged materials from the Stonewall Mine ruins. The Dyar House later served as park headquarters and visitor center until the 2003 Cedar Fire reduced it to ruins.
The Great Depression ended Dyar’s development plans; in 1933 he sold the property to California for its new State Park System. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park was doubly benefited in the 1930s by the placement of two Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps that provided National Park Service designers and CCC labor to develop the park’s initial and distinctive “park rustic” facilities, including many of today’s popular campgrounds and trails.
NATURAL HISTORY
The Cedar FireOn October 25, 2003, a lost hunter lit a signal fire, hoping to be found. That signal fire quickly burned out of control and became the biggest wildfire in California’s recorded history. The fire took nearly two weeks for containment and burned a total of 280,278 acres, including 90% of Cuyamaca Rancho's 24,700 acres.
ReforestationThe slow rate of forest regeneration has prompted a reforestation project to replant a portion of the park
using grants and donations from private companies.
Severely burned areas may take years to regenerate, but grasses, shrubs and some conifers have already begun the recovery process.
Wildfires are still a threat. Please be careful to observe the park rules regarding fires, and report any fires you see to the nearest ranger station.
Vegetation and WildlifeToday the rich forest lands at Cuyamaca Rancho are returning at a slow rate.
The trees include magnificent oaks, willow, alder and sycamore. Conifers like incense cedar, white fir and Coulter, sugar, ponderosa and Jeffrey pine are also making a comeback.
You may see a gray fox, badger, bobcat or mountain lion. Park amphibians include the Pacific and the canyon tree frogs, and reptiles like the mountain king snake, striped racer and rattlesnake. More than 100 bird species live in the area, including acorn woodpeckers, northern flickers, redtailed hawks and sage sparrows. A bird list is available at park headquarters.
RECREATION
Trails—Cuyamaca Rancho State Park has more than 100 miles of riding and hiking trails. The popular 3.5-mile hike up Lookout Fire Road to Cuyamaca Peak offers spectacular 360-degree views of the ocean, the desert, the Salton Sea and across the border into Mexico. The 2-mile trail to the top of Stonewall Peak—only moderately difficult
Pacific tree frog The scars of the Cedar Fire
may be visible, but recreation opportunities still abound.
due to many switchbacks—climbs from 4,800 to 5,700 feet in elevation to overlook the old mine site. The nine-mile Harvey Moore Trail is a difficult hike beginning near the Sweetwater River Bridge north of Green Valley. The round trip takes eight hours. The restored Paso Picacho Self-Guided Nature Trail gives a brief overview of the role of change in nature. The visitor center has hiking trail maps available.Interpretive programs—The Stonewall Mine site exhibits a pictorial history of this Southern California gold mine. The park’s visitor center features regional plant and animal exhibits; it also describes Kumeyaay native life before European settlement.Picnicking—Developed picnic areas at Paso Picacho and Green Valley have tables, barbecue stoves and accessible restrooms. The group picnic area at Paso Picacho will accommodate up to 75. Camping—Family campsites with tables and fire rings are available, with accessible restrooms nearby. Trailers are limited to 30 feet long. Motor homes up to 24 feet may use Paso Picacho; Green Valley fits RVs up to 27 feet. Six rudimentary camping cabins with wooden bunks and nearby restrooms at Paso Picacho are reservable year-round.
Equestrian groups may camp at Los Vaqueros Group Horse Campground, near the California Riding and Hiking Trail. Sixteen developed sites have metal corrals.
Primitive trail camps are located at Granite Springs and Arroyo Seco, with family campsites for up to eight people. A group site will accommodate up to 16 people.
Horse corrals are available, but equestrians should pack in feed because grazing is not allowed. To use the trail camp, register at park headquarters, the Paso Picacho contact station, or the Green Valley campground. Primitive sites are located in an unlighted, remote area, so check in with enough time to reach your campsite well before dark.
Reserve cabins and campsites by calling (800) 444-7275 or visit the park's website at www.parks.ca.gov.
PLEASE REMEMBER
• Please pay fees for camp and picnic sites at the self-pay stations.
• Build fires only in the park fire rings provided. Ground fires pose a serious threat, and leave unsightly scars.
• All natural and cultural park features are protected by law and may not be disturbed or removed. Please tell park staff about any artifacts you may find, but leave them in place.
• Dogs must be kept on a six-foot- maximum leash and remain in your tent or vehicle at night. Dogs are allowed in picnic areas and in the campgrounds (except the primitive trail camps), but they are not allowed on trails or in park buildings. Please clean up after your pet.
Camping cabins are available by reservation.
Horse trails and camping facilities make this area ideal for equestrian recreation.
ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Live Oak cabin and some restrooms at the family campgrounds and picnic areas are accessible. For accessibility updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov.
NEARBY STATE PARKS• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park 200 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs
(760) 767-5311
• Palomar Mountain State Park 19952 State Park Drive, Palomar Mountain
(760) 742-3462• San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park 15808 San Pasqual Valley Road,
Escondido, CA 92027 (760) 737-2201
LA
GU
NA
IND
IAN
RE
SE
RV
AT
ION
4200
4000
3800
4000
4200
4400
4400
3800
4200
4400
4600
4800 50
00
5000
5200
5600
5200
5600
5400
4000
4200
5600
5800
5400
5200
5000
4800
4600
4400
4200
4800
46004400
4200
4000
4000
4200
3800
3800
4800
5200
4200
4400
4000
4200
4600
4800
5200
5000
5000
4800 50
00
5200
5400
4800
5000
5200
5400
5600 58
00
6000
6200
5800
5600
4800
5200
3800
4000
4400
4000
4000
3800
3800
3600
3800
4400
4600
4400
3600
4600
3600
3800
4000
4000
4000
4000
38004200
4000
4200
4200
4000
3800
3800 3800
4000
4400
46005000
4400
4600
4200
4400
4200
4400
4600
5000
5000
4800 4600
4000
4000
4200
4400
4200
5000
4800
4600
4600
4400
4400
4200
4200
4200
4400
4800
50005200
5400
4800
5000
5200
4800
5000
5200
5000
4800
5000
4800
5000
4600
4000
4200
4000
3800
4000
4200
4400
4400
3800
4200
4400
4600
4800 50
00
5000
5200
5600
5200
5600
5400
4000
4200
5600
5800
5400
5200
5000
4800
4600
4400
4200
4800
46004400
4200
4000
4000
4200
3800
3800
4800
5200
4200
4400
4000
4200
4600
4800
5200
5000
5000
4800 50
00
5200
5400
4800
5000
5200
5400
5600 58
00
6000
6200
5800
5600
4800
5200
3800
4000
4400
4000
4000
3800
3800
3600
3800
4400
4600
4400
3600
4600
3600
3800
4000
4000
4000
4000
38004200
4000
4200
4200
4000
3800
3800 3800
4000
4400
46005000
4400
4600
4200
4400
4200
4400
4600
5000
5000
4800 4600
4000
4000
4200
4400
4200
5000
4800
4600
4600
4400
4400
4200
4200
4200
4400
4800
50005200
5400
4800
5000
5200
4800
5000
5200
5000
4800
5000
4800
5000
4600
4000
Sweet
water
R
iver
Lak
e
Cuy
amac
a
Azalea
Cree
k
Bou
lder
Cre
ek
Aza
lea
Spri
ng
Dee
rSp
ring
Col
dSp
ring
Japa
cha
Spri
ng
Japa
cha
Cree
k
Dya
rSp
ring
Har
per
Cre
ek
Juaq
uapi
n
Creek
Sweetwate
r River
Des
cans
o C
reek
Gre
enV
alle
yF
alls
79
79
79
79
79
S1
S1
S1
S2
S1
Dyar Spring Trail
Littl
e St
onew
all Creek
Mid
dle
Peak
5883
ft
Nor
th P
eak
5993
ft
Littl
e St
onew
all P
eak
5250
ft
Ston
ewal
l Pea
k57
30ft
Cuy
amac
a Pe
ak65
12ft
Cos
mit
Peak
4575
ft
Japa
cha
Peak
5825
ft
Oak
zani
ta P
eak
5054
ft
Vis
ito
rC
ente
r
Co
un
tyO
utd
oo
rS
cho
ol
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Sto
new
all
Min
e
Pas
oP
icac
ho
Hu
al-C
u-C
uis
hH
ors
e S
tag
ing
Are
a
Cu
yam
aca
Dam
Gra
nit
e S
pri
ng
sT
rail
Cam
p
Arr
oyo
Sec
oT
rail
Cam
p
Lo
s V
aqu
ero
sG
rou
p H
ors
eC
amp
gro
un
d
Gre
enVa
lley
4850
ft
Des
cans
o
Har
rison
Park
Sunrise
Highway
Sunrise Highway
Sunrise
Highway
Roa
d
Vie
jas
Blv
dO
ld H
ighw
ay 8
0
Middle
Peak
Fire
Roa
d
Milk
Ran
ch
Roa
d
Azalea S
prings
Fire R
oad
Lookout
Fire
Road
Green
Valley Fire
Soap
sto
ne
Gra
de
Fire
Roa
d
Fern Flat
Fire
Roa
d
StonewallFire
RoadCreek
Eas
tM
esa
Fire
Roa
d
Falls
Fi
re
Ro
ad
West Mesa
Fire Road
Upper
Up
per
Gre
en V
alle
yF
ire
Ro
ad
Japa
cha
Fire Road
Sec
o
Fire
Road
Arroyo
South Boundary
So
uth
Bo
un
dar
yF
ire
Ro
ad
Mer
igan
Par
kin
g
Mer
igan
F
ire Road
Merigan Fire R
oad
Engin
eers
Rd
Enginee
rs
Rd
La Cima Fire Road - Closed to Public
Access
Upper Green Valley Trail
Kelly’s Ditch Trail
Kellys
Ditc
h Tr
ail
Minshall Trail
Sug
ar P
ine Trail
Black Oak Trail
Black Oak TrailAza
lea
Gle
n
Aza
lea
Gle
n
Trai
l
Tr
ail
Road
Conejos Trail
Con
ejos Trl
Bur
nt P
ine
Trai
l
Whi
take
r Tr
ail
Vern
Los Vaq
ueros
Trail
Minshall Trail
Los Caball
os
Stonewall
Peak
Trai
l
Cold Stream Trail
Cold Stream
Trail
Cold Sprin
g Tr
ail
Dyar Sprin
g T
rail
Deer
P
ark
Tra
il
Juaquapin Trail Juaquapin T
railEas
t Sid
e Tr
ail
East
S
ide Trail
Har
vey
M
oore
T
rail
Up
per
Des
cans
o C
reek
Tra
il
Oak
zani
ta
Trail
Low
er D
esca
nso
Cre
ek T
rail
Blue Ribbon Trail
Sweetw
ater Trail
Saddleback
Trai
l
Trail
Hill
Trai
l
West M
esa
Monumen
t T
rail
Arr
oyo
Seco
Trail
Wes
t M
esa
Trai
l
Wes
t Si
de
Trai
l
West Side
Trail
Pin
e R
idge Tr
ail
Dead Horse Trail
Harvey Moore
Min
eTr
ail
Fir Trail
FoxTrail
Grass Trail
Pine Trail
Oak Trail
La Cima Trail
California Riding and Hiking Tr
ail
West M
esa
Trail
California Rid
ing and
Hiki
ng T
r ail
CL
EV
EL
AN
D
NA
TIO
NA
L
FO
RE
ST
CL
EV
EL
AN
D
NA
TIO
NA
L
FO
RE
ST
CL
EV
EL
AN
D
NA
TIO
NA
L F
OR
ES
T
CL
EV
EL
AN
D
NA
TIO
NA
L
FO
RE
ST
CO
SM
ITIN
DIA
NR
ES
ER
VA
TIO
N
CU
YA
MA
CA
RA
NC
HO
ST
AT
EP
AR
K
AN
ZA
-BO
RR
EG
O
DE
SE
RT
ST
AT
E P
AR
K
AN
ZA
-BO
RR
EG
OD
ES
ER
T S
TA
TE
PA
RK
to S
an D
iego
1500
Met
ers
5000
Fee
t
600
900
1000
2000
3000
4000
300
0 012
00
© 2
010
Cal
iforn
ia S
tate
Par
ksM
ap b
y E
urek
a C
arto
grap
hy, B
erke
ley,
CA
Pave
d R
oad
Maj
or R
oad
Trai
l: H
ikin
g an
d Bi
king
Trai
l: H
ikin
g O
nly
Trai
l: H
ikin
g an
d H
orse
s
Mul
ti-U
se T
rail:
Hik
ing,
Hor
ses
and
Bike
sFo
rest
Are
a
Park
ing
Area
Lege
nd
Park
ing
Min
e
Lock
ed G
ate
Picn
ic A
rea
Ran
ger S
tatio
n
Res
troom
s
Show
ers
RV
Sani
tatio
n St
atio
n
Park
Bui
ldin
g
Cam
pfire
Cen
ter
Cam
psite
s1-
85
Acce
ssib
le C
amps
ite15
Cam
pgro
und
Brid
ge
Acce
ssib
le F
eatu
re
Dam
Hor
se S
tagi
ng A
rea
Gro
up C
ampg
roun
d
Hor
se C
ampg
roun
d
Pin
e R
idge
Trail
Sweet
water R
iver
79
79
P
P
P
PC
on
tact
Sta
tio
n
Falls
Fir
e R
oad
Arro
yo S
eco
Fire Road
Monum
ent
Trail
120
180
Met
ers
200
400
600
Feet
60
0 0
7677
7879
80
81
7574
73 72
707169
6766
4241
654364
40
38
36 37
35
3332
3130
555756
5152
5354
2726
28
2949
24
2325 50
4847
4546
3458
3959
6263
6361
60
68
12
47
896
53
2220 21
11
10
1213
19
14
Gre
en V
alle
yC
amp
gro
und
1516
1718
Fal
ls T
rail
Sout
h Loop
Loo
kout
Fi
re
Ro
adH
ikin
g an
d M
oun
tain
Bik
e Tr
ail
79 79
P
P
P
PB
Co
nta
ctS
tati
on
C.D
.F. F
ire
Sta
tio
n
A
Paso Picach
o Nature
Tra
il
Azalea Glen Trail
Nor
th
Loop
1
19
1842
44 4748
64 65
68
6869
6350
7172
7473
62
7558
7678
8081
83
8485
82
54
53
3938
373534
33 3231
2724
26 29
3040
4143
45
464951
2528
61
5956 62
5557
7977
70
1312
2022
2321
2
5
43
6
78
9
10
1114
1617
120
200
400
600
Feet
60
0 018
0 M
eter
s
Par
kH
Q
15
36
66
60
Pas
o P
icac
hoC
amp
gro
und
Hik
ing
and
Mou
ntai
n Bike
Trail
see
Paso
Pic
acho
deta
il m
ap
see
Gre
en V
alle
yde
tail
map
Old
Tow
n Sa
n D
iego
SH
P
Anz
a-B
orre
goD
eser
tSP
Pac
ific
Oce
an
515
8
805
79
78
78
67
Cab
rillo
NM
Tor
rey
Pin
esSN
R
Mir
amar
M
CA
S
Cle
vela
ndN
F
Cle
vela
ndN
F
CA
ME
XJulia
nR
amon
aE
ncin
itas
Imp
eria
l Bea
ch
La J
olla
Esc
ond
ido
Tiju
ana
San
Die
go
Oce
ansi
de
Tor
rey
Pin
es S
B
Cuy
amac
a R
anch
o SP
010
2030
Km
010
20 M
i
Del
Mar
Sta
te P
ark
Cuy
amac
a R
anch
o
From Los Vaqueros
EQUESTRIAN TRAILS
TO:
BIKING TRAILS
From Visitor Center to:
No Horses on Lookout Fire Road
Please Note: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this map. However, occasionally portions of trails may be closed or otherwise restricted. Please observe all posted orders.
All Distances in MilesAzalea Spring 3.9Dyar Spring 6.2Sweetwater Bridge 6.5Granite Springs 7.2Arroyo Seco 8.5South Border on CA 11.9 R&H TrailWilliam Heise County 6+ Park on Kelly’s Ditch Trail
Stonewall Creek Fire Road .8Soapstone Grade Fire Road 3.1Stonewall Mine 4.6Milk Ranch Road 6.2Sweetwater Turnout 1.4
From Milk Ranch Road to:
Middle Peak (top) 2.7Azalea Spring 2.3Cuyamaca Peak (hard climb) 4.3
From Sweetwater Turnout to:
East Mesa Fire Road 1.3Granite Springs 5.8Deer Park Trail (park boundary) 8.4
Japacha Spring 2.5 6.5Arroyo Seco 1.5 8Airplane Monument 2 6Merigan Parking 4.2 -Granite Springs 4.5 7.5Stonewall Peak 7 2Azalea Spring 7 1Azalea Glen 8 1.2Cuyamaca Peak 8 3.5Middle Peak 9 4
From GreenValley
From Paso Picacho
HIKING TRAILS
TO:
This park receives support in part through a nonprofit organization. For more
information, contact: Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association
• P.O. Box 204 • Descanso, CA 91916 • www.cuyamaca.us