Stonewall Peak Trail is a 5.5 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Julian, California that features a great forest setting and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.
Note: $10 fee to park car. The restrooms have been reported closed at the trailhead. Stellar views and a variety of terrain in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Shaded oak lined trail with excellent views to the north, east & south. Want to see some of the best that Cuyamaca Rancho State Park has to offer? Hike up Stonewall Peak and enjoy the view of the surrounding park and nearby Lake Cuyamaca. The hike up the east side is a popular and relatively easy trail. The elevation gain is about 1000 feet, but doesn't seem like it with lots of switchbacks surrounded by Cuyamaca's characteristic plant and rock scenery and ever-better views. When you reach the top, climb the stairs and behold the breathtaking 360 degree view. When you get your fill, you can go back down the east side, or head down the "back" side, which heads northwest and circles back around. When there's snow, the "back" side is where it lasts the longest, and you can enjoy an easy, meandering descent. This excursion is of gentle switchbacks through canopies of black oaks, sycamores, and other coniferous trees. Great views of Anza Borrego, the Laguna Mountains, (on clear days) the Salton Sea, and 30+ miles to Palomar Mountains are the reward for all who make the ascent.
Paso Picacho Campground day use parking lot $8.00 dollars ($7.00 for seniors).
California State Parks (760) 765 0755
Park at the Paso Picacho Day Use area ($8.00) and cross the street to get to the trailhead. Hold on to your hat at the very top, as it can be very windy. You can get trail maps for the park at the Paso Picacho campgrounds kiosk if it's open, and on weekends you can get them at the Visitor's Center, which is several miles south of Paso Picacho just off of the 79. As always when hiking, bring lots of water!
The trailhead is easily located across highway 79 from Paso Picacho campground. The trailhead is located on the opposite side of Paso Picacho across CA-79.
January 16, 2021Great short hike with a view
January 16, 2021Four of us did the two peaks in one day we started late around 3:30 am first we did the stone wall Tower peak it's nice steep all the way to the top but it has shade nice and cold and it was windy too when we get to the top the view was amazing after we finished this one we went to the other peak which is the cuyamaca peak we took the service road all the way to the top it was so hard no shape cold and windy there was a snow on the side of road we had fun it took us about 5 hours but it worth it the time we spend it together is priceless .
January 15, 2021Shade all throughout the hike, which I loved! Pretty easy hike and amazing view up top! Definitely recommend. ($10 parking across the street.)
January 15, 2021Great trail, about as easy as a peak hike can get while still being a really great adventure. If you love cuyamaca rancho state park you have to go. I've done done cuyamaca peak, this and oakzanita in this park and this is my favorite of the three peaks, oakzanita second. Have fun! ($10 to park at the Paso picacho campground)
January 13, 2021Loved this trail. It has beautiful views the whole way up and at the top it’s breathtaking...literally, I think it’s about 5,711 feet up , it’s totally worth the hike up though. There are some places just below the summit where you can chill and eat while you take in the view. There was still some snow and ice but not much, watch your step.
January 11, 2021January 10, 2021Too many people breaking trail.
January 9, 2021January 9, 2021Nice trail and not terribly crowded for a weekend around 9:30 a.m. Not too much ice left, either!
January 6, 2021Fun little out and back! Combination of shade and sun throughout. Went on a Monday and there was plenty of parking. Bathroom and water fountian to fill up in picnic area adjacent to parking lot. Still a bit of snow which made it a tad slippery at times but nothing concerning. Happy Trails!
January 5, 2021January 5, 2021if there's snow, get there early, can be mucky
January 3, 2021Fly like an eagle:)
January 3, 2021January 3, 2021Hike was beautiful. Hikers come prepared for the ice. There was limited parking available, so be prepared to hike an extra 1 or 2 miles ontop of your trip.
January 3, 2021Very nice and slippery, put Spikes on your Hiking boots it’ll make it a lot easier! There is still Snow Jan 2nd
January 2, 2021Super icy after the snow.
January 2, 2021beautiful. went Saturday at noon! slippery with the ice and snow. wear boots. fair amount of hikers. bring masks
January 2, 2021Awesome!! Snowy and icy but great hike!!
January 2, 2021January 2, 2021Awesome hike, great views!
