Manza Benchmark

Looking to summit another peak in the Lagunas before any weather hit, so I opted to hike out to Manza Benchmark. This time I was joined by my good friend James. We parked just off Sunrise Highway, right near the Sunset trailhead. We followed the main trail for a bit before locating a use trail heading across the meadow.

The trees were still showing some bit of fall on them. We knew that the trail was going to descend into a drainage area, before climbing another ridge to the actual summit. Carefully checking our maps and route, we navigated down through the brush. Bits of poison oak were spotted along the sides of the trail, so some extra care was taken as we began ascending.

Once we reached the ridge, we began passing through thickets of manzanita and over several false summits, until at the end of the ridge our goal was sighted.

With some minor rock scrambling, we found the benchmark and signed the register. As we rested, the views were surprisingly nice. After soaking up some sun and the quiet, we began our trek back to the trailhead. We again were careful as we worked our way down the drainage ravine, as it was a steep descent. Soon we found ourselves back at the car and off for a cold beer at Alpine Brewery and a tasty burrito.

A few months later, I was hiking with Derek up to Whale Peak, and our conversation turned to what my favorite peak had been so far. Although I had some really enjoyable summits out in Anza-Borrego, the summit was my answer. It was a nice blend of scenery, a bit of challenge, and adventure.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Sheephead Mountain

On the advice from another 100 Peak Challenger, she suggested that I might want to attempt this peak in case the access road to the trailhead is closed by the Forest Service. So, with that Sheephead Mountain became my next peak to summit. The trailhead is about a mile down Kitchen Creek road just off Sunrise Highway. The first part of the trail gently headed west among the pines.

But before long, the trail turned south and down through a ravine. Once at the bottom, you will intersect a dirt road. I continued following this road southward through a small valley. The trail to the peak skirts very near some private property, so I was on high alert for the proper route. It was still hunting season, I did not want to cause an issue.

So I followed a small use trail to the north of the road that ran parallel to it. Checking my map and GPS, I found about where the trail should be to begin the ascent. It took some hunting, but I found the faint trail that quickly led up the mountain.

I pushed my way through the growth and eventually reached the summit. Although not as windy as Derek’s summit, there was a bit of a breeze.

I found the benchmark, but no register. I work my way back down the mountain with little trouble. Funny, how it is so much easier to see the route on the descent…

I missed the turnoff from the road back to the trail up the ravine, so my GPS track has an extra leg on it. Soon, I found myself back at the car and heading home.

Wooded Hill

My third summit of the day was the nature trail of Wooded Hill. I have been trying to tack this peak on to the end of my other hikes in the Lagunas, but time constraints always seemed to nix it. The trail is not too far off the 8 along Sunrise Highway.

As I pulled into the parking area, there was one family getting ready to hit the trail as well. If you are looking for a fun mountain hike with the kids, this one should be on your shortlist.

The trail is easy to follow, quite the change from the day’s first two hikes. Along the route, there are numbered markers that you can use the brochure to learn more about the plants and wildlife. Once at the high point, again you are rewarded with some lovely views.

I continued the loop and quickly found myself back at the car.

Sunshine Mountain

For my Sunday peak, I decided on summiting Sunshine Mountain on an overcast day. My friend Mark Better was able to tag along for this adventure. The trailhead is near the new shared Three Sisters/Eagle Peak one, instead, you continue down the dirt road to the north of that entrance. There you will find a small turnout to park at.

You will follow the trail past a seasonal pond, the drift toward the east. The summit is clearly in view. This is not a well-traveled trail, so it is very overgrown. You will reach a fork in the trail, take the left one. It is almost completely hidden. You can faintly see the outline of tire tracks from years ago to guide you to the base of the peak.

Once at the base of Sunshine Mountain, you will need to bushwhack your way toward the southeastern shoulder of the mountain and begin an easy scramble to the summit.

The sun would peek out from behind the cloud, offering some nice contrast to the peaks around us. We signed the register and enjoyed the views. To the south, we could see Eagle Peak, perched on the edge of the San Diego River Valley, which I had done just a week before. Off to the east, Cuyamaca Peak was shrouded in clouds the whole day.

As we made our way down, we hunted for that faint trail again.

We could see the car parked off the distance and did consider just bushwhacking directly back to it. But we a little more sleuthing, we found the trail and made our return trip less eventful.

Cemetery Hill

I was able to have Dave join me again to summit Cemetery Hill near Julian. This is one of several summits at can be reached from Eagle Peak Road. We were considering maybe adding one or two more of the nearby peaks in if time allowed. Parking near the same starting point for Oak Benchmark, we head south and down the trail. It is easy to spot due to the metal railing.

The trail works its way down about 400 feet of elevation to Deadman Flat. As we began working our way to the summit, we crossed paths with some deer hunters. I had forgotten it was hunting season. I am glad I opted for my red baseball cap. We let them pass as they were tracking a deer.

Dave and I were certainly a bit more alert for others that might be wandering the hills. Since Oak Benchmark was an off-trail summit, we made the decision to come back after deer hunting season.

The route to the summit was easy to follow. Once at the site, there were just some remnants of some posts that outlined the actual cemetery. I suppose the Witch Creek or Cedar Creek fires might have damaged what had been here.

The views were nice of the area and the weather was delightful. No register nor benchmark was located. We retraced our steps since we did not hear the echoes of a rifle shot, we had to assume the hunters had not found that deer yet.

Eagle Peak

In late May 2024, Forest Service officials renamed this trailhead, Cha’chaany Hamuk, which translates roughly to “three sisters” in the Kumeyaay language. Plus, there is a new parking lot, restrooms and a helicopter landing area for fire and rescue crews.

Somehow I convinced Ted, Dave, and Jeremey to tag along for this hike out to some of the best views of all of San Diego. This peak shares the same trailhead as Three Sisters and was recently expanded. Since there was no water flowing at the falls, the crowds were light. We set off west along the old dirt road, We quickly reached the top of a small rise where a cluster of Engelmann oaks stood. I knew this would be our almost back-to-the-car indicator.

The trail began descending again, and the turnoff to Three Sisters was to our left, but our destination was straight ahead. The trail turned from a simple road into a single-track trail. As the trail began its climb to the summit, it would tease us with false summits. But before long we found ourselves at the rocky peak. As we stood top, taking in the promised views, we found the register and two benchmarks.

After a bit, we began our return to the car, as we passed the junction to Three Sisters, we began to see more folks headed down to the dry falls. All in all, the four of us enjoyed another one of Chris’ crazy adventures.

Airplane Ridge

My final peak for the day was Airplane Ridge, further along, the West Mesa trail. The trail worked its southward. Cuyamaca Peak loomed over me to the west. The trail was mostly empty as the peaceful quiet surrounded me. I crossed the dry Japacha creek and began to slowly gain some elevation. As I neared the sharp right to begin the climb toward Airplane Ridge, I made the short detour to see the monument for which the ridge is named.

On December 7, 1922, a twin-seat model biplane carrying Col. F.C. Marshall and Lt. C.L. Webber crashed into a ridge near Cuyamaca Peak. Despite extensive searches, the wreckage and pilots’ remains weren’t discovered until May the following year.

After pausing for a bit, I continued on as the day was getting warmer and still had the summit and return trek to the car. I worked my way up the ridgeline until I found a reasonable spot to leave the trail and reach the high point itself.

I rested under the shade of a tree, enjoying the sweeping views to the south. With my third peak bagged, I begin the 3 miles back to my car. Toward the end of the hike, my IBT began to tighten, making it a bit uncomfortable.

Arrowmaker Ridge

Update: Have been informed that this peak is now off-limits. It lies within the Pilcha (West Mesa) Cultural Preserve, and since there is no trail it should not be accessed. The replacement peak is now Paradise Mountain.

From the West Mesa parking turnout, I crossed the highway and passed through a gate onto the West Mesa Fire Road. After about a half-mile along the fire road, I reached the junction with the Fern Flat Fire Road. I knew from researching the route to this summit, that I wanted to continue south through a meadow and approach it from the south side. The growth appeared to be thinner based on the satellite imagery I reviewed.

This strategy proved to be correct, as I found the high point. I took my summit-selfie and headed back down and onto the fire road to bag the third summit of the day, Airplane Ridge.

Middle Peak

This was the first of a three-peak day. I arrived at the trailhead just as the sun was beginning to rise.

As I followed the fire road up toward the peak, I spotted several deer enjoying some meadow grasses.

Once covered in pine and oak trees, Middle Peak, like the rest of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, was hit hard by the 2003 Cedar Fire. As the summit loomed, the lack of trees did offer some sweeping views. With the trees gone, much of the mountain is now covered in ceanothus, and the charred remains of blackened trees line the slopes. Near the summit, I began looking for any routes through the thickets to the true summit. I worked my way partially toward the summit but eventually decided to call it.

In part, I knew there was no view to be had, and I had two more summits planned for the day and began back down the fire road to the car.

Eagle Rock

It took a bit to recover from my summit of San Jacinto, so I opted for an easier peak to ease back into it. My friend Dave was able to tag along as we headed out toward Warner Springs to the trailhead. For the first mile or so of the hike, we were swarmed by bugs. Once we left the shadier portion of the trail, they faded away. I now carry bug netting in my pack for these cases.

The trail follows some gentle hills as it makes its way out to Eagle Rock. Although not a peak of any true merit. The rocks naturally look like an eagle with its wings spread about to take flight.

After a bit of a rest and snack, we head back down the trail (dreading the last bit and the bugs), and finally to the car. A well-earned lunch as had a Burger Bench.