Cuyamaca Rancho State Park


Land Manager:  California State Parks

RESOURCES 

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, managed by the California State Parks, has over 100 miles of trails which accommodate hikers, bikers, and equestrians.  

In 2014, the CRSP General Plan Update was approved. SDMBA and other trail advocates were involved in the creation of this document and provided public comment during the process.   Details of the general plan update can be viewed HERE

Highlights of the plan include the expansion of various cultural preserves and also permitted some adjustments to the boundaries of the Cuyamaca Mountains State Wilderness which allow for increased multi-use trail access. 

SDMBA has partnered with the Trails Maintenance Unit, part of the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association, on trail projects such as the building of the new Cold Spring Trail which opened in 2015.  The Cold Spring Trail was completed in 2015 after three seasons of building preceded by years of planning. This much needed, multi-use, sustainably designed and built connector from the Cold Stream Trail near Highway 79 provides new vistas of the park as it winds its way up to Stonewall Creek Fire Road.  The trail is around 3 miles long.  

Since 2020, SDMBA had recommended to park leadership that certain trail designations be implemented as outlined in the General Plan Update.  SDMBA submitted a formal letter in the Spring of 2022 to the Park Superindendent requesting for these trails to be considered to be opened to mountain bikes as planned.  We await word on implementation of our request.

List of trails in order of priority for SDMBA: 

  1. East Side trail from Sweetwater parking lot to Upper Green Valley Fire Road.

  2. West Side Trail: from Japacha Fire Road to Arroyo Seco Fire Road

  3. Blue Ribbon Trail: from Merigan Fire Rd. To South Boundary Fire Rd.

  4. Kelly’s Ditch Trail: from Cuyamaca Dam/ 79 to Engineers Rd.

  5. West Side Trail: from West Mesa Fire Rd. To Lookout Fire Rd. 

  6. Harvey Moore and Deer Park Trail (implemented)

  7. Lower and upper Descanso Creek Trail to Oakzanita Trail.

SDMBA stands by ready to assist with any work needed to allow these segments to be opened to mountain biking. 

In 2023, SDMBA is planning to resurrect the popular Cuyamaca State Park Poker Ride to raise funds for projects in the park.  The last Poker Ride was held in 2017 produced by the Mountain Bike Assistance Unit (MBAU).