Many species of birds can be observed including raptors. Visitors can see woodpeckers and other birds pretty much all day. The only pair of nesting bald eagles in all of Southern California can also be found here near Lake Cuyamaca.
Please do not feed the animals. Don’t teach them to like "human food" because it doesn't provide a healthy diet for wild animals. If they get accustomed to "human food", they will frequently starve in winter. Remember! Though they seem tame, these are wild animals!
We've compiled a list of the kind of wildlife you can find in the area, as well as some of some of our flora and fauna:
San Diego Gopher Snake
Gopher Snake
Southern Pacific Rattlesnake
Western Rattlesnake
Western Fence Lizard
Great Basin Fence Lizard
Coastal Whiptail
Tiger Whiptail
Southern Sagebrush Lizard
Sagebrush Lizard
Southern Alligator Lizard
California Whiptail
Blainville's Horned Lizard
California Mountain Kingsnake
Trout
Bass
Bluegill
Catfish
Crappie
Sturgeon
Mule Deer
Western Gray Squirrel
California Ground Squirrel
Mountain Lion
Southern Mule Deer
California Mule Deer
Coyote
Wild Turkey
Acorn Woodpecker
Mountain Chickadee
Steller's Jay
Spotted Towhee
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-crowned Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
California Towhee
Western Bluebird
Northern Flicker
Red-shouldered Hawk
American Robin
Turkey Vulture
Oak Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
Violet-green Swallow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Chipping Sparrow
Canada Goose
Band-tailed Pigeon
Lawrence's Goldfinch
White-headed Woodpecker
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Brown Creeper
Ash-throated Flycatcher
California Thrasher
Williamson's Sapsucker
Anna's Hummingbird
Grasshopper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Northern Harrier
Hairy Woodpecker
Hammond's Flycatcher
Lesser Goldfinch
Brewer's Blackbird
California Quail
Oregon Junco Mountain Quail
Hermit Thrush
Bell's Sparrow
Slate-colored Fox Sparrow
California Scrub-Jay
Pink-sided Junco
Melissa Blue
Mylitta Crescent
White Checkered-Skipper
Cobalt Milkweed Beetle
Great Copper
Painted Lady
Dainty Sulphur
Western Sheep Moth
Hedgerow Hairstreak
Diabolical Ironclad Beetle
Wooly Darkling Beetle
Sachem
Gray Hairstreak
Seven-spotted Ladybird
Honey Bee
Sara Orangetip
Convergent Lady Beetle
Acmon Blue
Holarctic Pied Hoverfly
Alfalfa Looper
Black Rain Beetle
Southern Rain Beetle
Oakmoss
Chaparral Yucca
California Black Oak
western azalea
Caterpillar Phacelia
San Diego gumplant
Scarlet Bugler
Woollypod Milkweed
Coffeeberry
California Wild Rose
Western Ragweed
Foothill beardtongue
Bunchleaf Penstemon
Small-headed clover
Cuyamaca larkspur
Foothill Larkspur
Stinking Chamomile
Nuttall's Linanthus
Poodle-dog Bush
Redberry Buckthorn
Seep monkeyflower
Birchleaf Mountain Mahogany
Western Sycamore
California fuchsia
California Buckwheat
Blue Elderberry
Black Elderberry
Bull Thistle
Telegraphweed
California goldenrod
Velvety goldenrod
Common Mullein
White Sage
Shortpod Mustard
California peony
Stinging Lupine
Phlox-leaved Bedstraw
American yellowrocket
Elk Thistle
Grand Collomia
Lewis flax
Henbit Deadnettle
Sapphire Woollystar
Common Snowberry
California incense cedar
Coulter pine
Explore the Central Mountain Region on horseback, as we ride through some of the most beautiful sites in Rancho Cuyamaca State park and Mount Laguna.
We work with reputable operators that offer good horses and great riding experiences. You can also bring your own horses and contact us for more info: info@alterexperiences.com
We work with reputable horse riding guides that offer horseback riding experiences for families & groups alike. Our guides have years of experience taking people down the trail. Their passion for history of our local lands is a treat in itself; ride and listen as they tell you about those who came before and rode the trails long before you.
You can also try a carriage ride down Julian Main Street with our famous town mascot Brett.
Cuyamaca Peak is the second highest point in San Diego County and is located towards the western edge of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. You can access the trail through Lookout Fire Road at Paso Picacho Campground. This road up to the trail is paved and it's the only hike in the park that dogs are allowed on. It's a moderately strenuous 6 miles hike with an ascent of about 1539 feet.
The peak’s elevation at 6,512’ is at the geographic center of San Diego County offering unparalleled panoramic views to the ocean.
The peak is the dominant landmark in vast Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. This parcel was once covered by a rich mixed-conifer forest, interspersed with chaparral, oak woodlands, and gentle meadows fringed with pines. The land was originally inhabited by the Kumeyaay Indians, who referred to the area as “Ekwiyamak,” which translates roughly to "the place in the clouds" or “the place where it rains.” The region receives an average of over 30 inches of precipitation per year due to its higher elevation, which supported the forests and gave birth to the Sweetwater River.
The Azalea Glen Loop begins at Paso Picacho Campground and the trail consists of several single track trails with wider fire roads. The trial features many loops but is well marked & make sure to stay on course & read the trail markers. It's a moderate 4-mile loop that features streams & you can still see the effects of the 2003 Cedar fire to devastated the park. A lot of the trail is shaded & is suitable with small bridges & grassland areas.
Moderately strenuous 3.5 sometimes steep miles to summit. Gain in elevation 1650 ft. Rugged ascent over the north shoulder of Cuyamaca Peak. Trail is a streambed after heavy rain or snow melt. Connects to paved road leading to summit. Descent to campground by paved fire road. Trail head and parking at Pasa Picacho Campground.
Easy .75 mile one way, suitable for children. Well-marked trail to pretty, seasonal waterfall. Best in spring and early summer. Trailhead and parking located at picnic area parking lot at Green Valley Campground.
Easy one mile level, scenic, and suitable for children. Self-guiding trail leading to an old Indian village site, plaques describe Indian uses for common plants. Trail head and parking by the flagpole at the park headquarters/museum parking lot.
Moderate 3 mile scenic loop climbing via East Site Trail with a steepish return by Dyar Spring Trail. Gain in elevation 400 ft. Well-graded trail through oaks, manzanita, chaparral and open meadows and stream with wildflowers and deer. Trail head and parking at turnoff for Museum/Park headquarters or a Sweetwater Bridge.
Easy .5 mile loop, scenic, level, and suitable for children. Self-guiding trail with 16 trail signs explaining various natural and cultural resources of the area. Trailhead and parking at north end of picnic area at Paso Picacho campground.
Moderately strenuous 8 mile loop, gain in elevation 1300 ft. Long steady climb leads to extensive vistas particularly from the peak. Trail has little shade and is hot in the summer. Trail head and parking - first paved parking area when entering Cuyamaca Park from the South on Highway 79. Moderately strenuous 5 mile loop. Gain in elevation 1200 ft. Steady climb leads to extensive vistas, first to the coastline and later over East Mesa. The hike follows the fire road to Arroyo Seco primitive camp, then by cut-off trail to West Mesa Trail and Monument Trail.
Stonewall Peak is a popular hike due to its relatively short and easy climb to some beautiful sweeping views of the Rancho Cuyamaca State Park & Lake Cuyamaca. This trail also starts at Paso Picacho Campground and is an easy to moderate 4 mile hike. Around ⅓ of the way you'll encounter a path straight ahead blocked by an “AREA CLOSED” sign. Stay to the right around the closed section and head straight to the peak looming above. As you continue on the trail you'll eventually find yourself at the base of pile of large granite boulders and slabs. Carefully made our way up the rocks on the east side of the rocky expanse until we found the metal pipe railing and stairway carved into the granite boulders. It's a short walk from there and it will be well worth the view once you're at the top.
Moderate 2 miles each way, steady gain in elevation of 900 ft. Suitable for energetic youngsters. Well graded trail through chaparral, oaks and incense cedar to the summit of Stonewall Peak, last section on exposed ridge but with steps and handrail. Great views from peak. Trail head and parking across from entrance to Pasa Picacho campground at the picnic area. Day use fee.
Stonewall Peak is a popular hike due to its relatively short and easy climb to some beautiful sweeping views of the Rancho Cuyamaca State Park & Lake Cuyamaca. This trail also starts at Paso Picacho Campground and is an easy to moderate 4 mile hike. Around ⅓ of the way you'll encounter a path straight ahead blocked by an “AREA CLOSED” sign. Stay to the right around the closed section and head straight to the peak looming above. As you continue on the trail you'll eventually find yourself at the base of pile of large granite boulders and slabs. Carefully made our way up the rocks on the east side of the rocky expanse until we found the metal pipe railing and stairway carved into the granite boulders. It's a short walk from there and it will be well worth the view once you're at the top.
The California Wolf Center is dedicated to the recovery of wolves in the wildlands they once roamed. We envision a landscape where wolves thrive in healthy ecosystems and wolves and people successfully coexist.
The center near Julian is home to several packs of gray wolves, including a pack of North American gray wolves as well as multiple packs of Mexican gray wolves. Some of the wolf packs are featured in their educational programs.
The California Wolf Center participates in the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan, a bi-national effort to help Mexican wolves recover in the wild. They are among the largest breeding and host centers for Mexican gray wolves in the United States.
Learn about the plight of Mexican gray wolves here. Most of the Center's Mexican gray wolf packs reside in spacious, off-exhibit habitats that help prepare them for potential release into the wild. Retaining their wild nature by keeping them off-exhibit will help them to survive if they are selected for release into the Mexican Wolf Recovery Area in New Mexico and Arizona. The Mexican gray wolves that are not candidates for release or breeding are on limited exhibit during our educational programs. This gives visitors the extraordinary opportunity to view the distinctive physical features of this magnificent and unique subspecies of gray wolf. We offer a variety of programs to choose from, including public tours, private tours, school and youth programs, off-site presentations, special events, and more. Reservations are required for all programs. Please visit their web-site for more info: https://www.californiawolfcenter.org/
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