Wrangler Dani

I’ve decided to add a new feature to this here bloggy, and review the state parks that my Hubs and I traipse around on the weekends. This blog has a tendency to revolve around my thought-life and my work, which, let’s face it, is boring. So I’m going to move outside of my life of the mind and show you all a good time in the great outdoors more often, and then maybe you all will want to come hang out with me, as you’ll realize that I really don’t just sit around waxing eloquent all the time. (Most of the time, yes. All of the time, ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY THAT I’M BORING?)

Anyways.

I thought I’d start with California State Park reviews, since in November of last year our Rooted group (Bible study group at church) gave us a California State Parks pass and we have set a goal of visiting all of the Southern California state parks before it expires this November. So far we’ve visited 20? Maybe? We have about 30 to go? I really have no idea, Adam is the numbers guy, if you care so much, ask him.

Ahem.

So last weekend we went to Cuyamaca Rancho, in San Diego county. It’s nestled right in-between the sweet little town of Julian and the Anza-Borrego Desert, and that’s really the best you’ll get from me – maps and numbers and directions are Adam’s department, waxing eloquent and getting distracted are mine. Like, see! Butterfly!

One thing that you should know about Adam and I: we love visitor’s centers. It’s inexplicable, really, because we spend most of the time in the visitor’s center laughing at the moth-eaten stuffed coyote in the corner or making friends with the rangers or talking with the little old men and ladies who volunteer at the center and generally know little to nothing about the trails themselves. It is usually a good place to buy a patch (our signature collector’s item, along with every other Boy Scout in the U.S.) and take a gander at a trail map. There might occasionally be a finger-puppet drama that plays itself out, or a ranger hat tried on. You just never know.

Anyway, after a stop at the visitor’s center, we took the Stonewall Peak trail, a four-mile out-and-back hike with gentle switchbacks to the top of, you guessed it, Stonewall Peak. Once upon a time this was a wooded trail, although a wildfire about 10 years ago has left it mostly brushy and only shaded in a few places. It’s also one of the most popular trails in the park, but we still saw just a handful of fellow hikers.

It’s perfect for a warm summer day – it’s not a tough hike and is short enough that we never felt too hot or bothered. The views are delicious and the breeze from the top is the perfect pay-off.

The lake you see in the distance is Lake Cuyamaca. It’s a pretty little fishing hole, but it’s not very large and for the cost and hassle (private boats have to be washed by a ranger and pay a day-use and fishing fee before you can put in) there are better local options. (Didja see what I did there? Tease the next review! You can’t wait.)

The view from the peak really is amazing – we could see all the way out to the desert and the Salton Sea! There is an area where you have to use a handrail and steps to climb to the top, but it’s not scary or sketchy, it’s very do-able. Also, while we were up there, a couple of climbers top-roped from the summit and started rappelling down and we were instantly overcome with jealousy and wondering why we weren’t smart enough to bring our gear.

There is another peak hike in the park, Cuyamaca Peak, and we could see much of that trail from Stonewall Peak. It’s a longer hike and much of it is on a fire road (blech) so we were glad we chose the prettier, wilder version.

There are several campgrounds which were all very well-maintained, although expensive. ($30/night?! I think I’ve stayed in a Super 8 for less…) We ate lunch at an awesome little picnic area close to the trail head (goat cheese/hummus/fruit/crackers/yumyum) and were very impressed with the clean, quiet picnic areas and facilities.

On our way home we stopped in Julian for an apple pie (it’s basically illegal to be so close and NOT get one). If you know about Julian’s history you know that this was once a booming gold mining town (like much of California) and there is an old mine site (Stonewall Mine) and a cool little historic cabin with photos and old mining equipment to check out in the park as well. Actually, it was one of the most profitable gold mines in all of California (fun fact)!

All in all, it’s a fun day-trip, and we felt very gratified by a good hike, a clean new park to explore and some apple pie and ice cream as a reward.