Pond at the trailhead to Sunshine Mountain

Sunshine Mountain
Elevation: 3,154′
Total Mileage: 2

Trailhead Map (32.99130, -116.68375)

I had been wanting to get back to this part of San Diego since my hike to Eagle Peak. I also was eyeing this area when I was driving through on the way to Cedar Creek Falls. It looked great on the map and I had a feeling that it didn’t get much traffic. I also thought that the views would be outstanding. I was right.

I got a late start, but that didn’t keep me from making my way through Ramona, Santa Ysabel and Wynola. After seeing families of turkey and quail along the road, I got to the “turntable,” which is a hairpin turn in Boulder Creek Road, and also the trailhead for Eagle Peak and Three Sisters Falls, and the way onto the rustic Cedar Creek Road. There were cars parked at the trailhead there, undoubtedly going to Eagle Peak or Three Sisters Falls, but my sights were set on a different trailhead. I turned right through the gate and headed west on Cedar Creek Road.

When planning this hike, I wasn’t sure how close to the trailhead I was going to be able to get. The condition of Cedar Creek Road can be unpredictable and I didn’t know how passable the side road to the pond would be. It turns out I was able to drive right over the earthen dam of the pond and park in a wide area adjacent to a stream and a grove of oak trees.

This is a beautiful area and, apart from Cedar Creek Falls, much of the area rarely gets visited. I recommend checking it out.

From: http://www.sandiegoriver.org/calendar.php (for more information)

06/05 10am National Trails Day – MEMBER HIKE to Cedar Creek Falls from Saddleback

Contact Sarah at 619-297-7380 or by email for details. This is a free guided hike for River Park Foundation members (may join at the event) to one of San Diego’s natural treasures, 80 foot Cedar Creek Falls. Followed by an open house at the River Park Foundation’s 500+ acre Eagle Peak Preserve.

Email Sarah to RSVP and for details

06/05 1pm – 3pm Eagle Peak Preserve Nature Hike

The Preserve is open! This is one final opportunity to enjoy the Spring Wildflowers at the Preserve.

A guided hike will leave at 2PM from the middle parking area. Enjoy a hike to Son 2 Peak and down to the ponds. We will stop along the way and learn about some of the flora of the Preserve. After the ponds we will head back to the trailhead. This hike is open to members and non-members. FREE. Total hike length approx. 2.5 miles. Elevation gain = 250 feet. Facilities are very primitive. You are welcome to explore the Preserve on your own.

Location: Eagle Peak Road near mile marker 8

After a wonderful drive through some of the most scenic areas of San Diego County, including East Ramona and Santa Ysabel, I arrived at the trailhead. I didn’t pass anyone on the road, and there were no other cars on the trailhead. I was happy to have some quiet time on the trail.

While on the trail, I turned and looked behind me and could see Cuyamaca Peak looming up and calling me with its siren song.

Cuyamaca Peak from the trail

Looking down at the trail, it was clear that not many people had hiked this way recently, since I saw mostly paw, bird and reptile prints criss-crossing all over any man-made prints. There was, however, more disturbing evidence of man’s presence here.

Yet another mylar balloon in the backcountry

Yes, on two out of 10 hikes, I have found mylar balloons snagged in the brush. Like the other balloon, as well as any other trash I find on the trail, I stashed it in my pack and moved on.

As I walked along the trail, I was yet again reminded of the huge fires that swept through much of San Diego County in the last decade. The Witch Creek Fire from 2007 completely charred the area south of Julian (among many other places) and evidence lined the trail.

A burnt tree from the Witch Creek Fire of 2007

Some oak trees provided some shade (yes, shade in San Diego!), before I scrambled up to the ridge line and was presented with 4 false summits before I actually made it to the top. I was laughing to myself at how deceived I felt, yearning to reach the summit only to find that the ridge continued beyond my current position.

On the top, there is a summit register:

The summit register with Ramona's Four Corners area beyond

Soaring condors, ravens, and hawks:

Red-tailed hawk over Eagle Peak

Drill bits from when I assume they placed the benchmarks (1939 or 1959, depending on which mark):

Drill bits on top of Eagle Peak

One of the benchmarks:

A benchmark dated 1959, threatening a $250 fine or jail time for disturbing it

A vertigo-inducing dropoff on the south side of the summit:

The high wind prevented me from hanging any further off

But the view into Boulder Creek was one of the best I’ve seen so far in San Diego:

Boulder Creek with El Capitan beyond

I enjoyed my quiet time with the soaring birds before I made it back down the trail, having seen no one for the entire hike.

Eagle Peak Trail Map (Click to Enlarge)