Middle Peak Trail, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park | San Diego, CA

There are few places in San Diego that experience true fall and spring seasons. The town of Julian is one of them. The nearby Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is another. Aside from the trees being painted in beautiful hues of amber and gold in the fall, this state park draws hikers in with its extensive list of peaks to bag. The Middle Peak Trail takes you around one of those peaks, a longer trek than other trails here yet still completely achievable for even novice hikers.

While this 6-mile loop trail doesn’t actually take you to the summit itself, it does take you around the mountain and offers impressive views of Lake Cuyamaca and nearby Stonewall Peak as a consolence.

The Middle Peak trailhead begins across the street from the Trout Pond parking area. Begin your hike by carefully crossing SR-79N, walking through the metal gate. Once past the gate, continue along the trail for 0.2 miles until you reach a junction.

Turn right onto the Middle Peak Loop Fire Road, which will begin its steady climb almost immediately. As you ascend up, you’ll be treated to views of Lake Cuyamaca in the near distance, as well as Stonewall and Cuyamaca Peak.

Trout Pond Parking Area

At 2.2 miles you’ll have the option to continue uphill to extend your hike to an 8-mile loop on the Sugar Trail, or turn left onto the Black Oak Trail and close the 6-mile loop. We opted for the shorter route and turned left. The trail will start to descend, taking you through the burned remnants of the 2003 Cedar Fire which destroyed much of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Evidence of this is prominent on the Middle Peak Loop Trail, especially during this portion of the hike.

After approximately 1 mile you’ll reach another junction where you’ll turn left onto Milk Ranch Road. Here is where you’ll have the best views of Stonewall Peak in the distance. At its staggering height, it’s hard to believe this hike is shorter in distance than the hike you’re about to complete. Bikers can be found on this portion of the trail and you’ll likely encounter a few.

The Milk Ranch Road will eventually meet up with the Middle Peak Loop Fire Road Trail you originally started on, helping you close your loop and take you back to the trailhead.

For ideal views and weather conditions, I’d recommend hiking this trail in the fall when fall foliage is in full effect or spring when the flowers bloom at their best.

Middle Peak Tips

Tip #1: Keep your eyes open. This is one of the few trails in San Diego where I’ve spotted deer in plain daylight.

Tip #2: On warm days, bring plenty of sun protection. The majority of this trail is unshaded.

Tip #3: After you’ve completed your hike, be sure to stop in the nearby town of Julian to indulge in a slice of apple pie (calories don’t count after hiking, right?).

Tip #4: Hiking boots are helpful to wear on this hike with loose gravel, technical footing during the second half of the trail.

Driving Directions

From downtown San Diego take I-8 E for 22.2 miles. Take exit 40 for CA-79 N/Japatul Valley Road toward Julian. Turn left to stay on CA-79 N towards Julian/Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Drive approximately 10.5 miles past the Green Valley Falls Campground, just before the Sweetwater Bridge. Park in the large dirt parking lot on the right side of the road marked by a sign that reads “Trout Pond” across from Milk Ranch Road, just before SR-79N turns a sharp right. Parking is free.