Cahuilla Mountain in San Bernardino National Forest, CA

Hike Cahuilla Mountain San Bernardino National Forest, CA

Class 1 6.2 miles 1400 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Apr 10, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Cahuilla Mountain GPX Track

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Cahuilla Mountain is a forested peak in the Cahuilla Mountain Wilderness, positioned sort of on its own from the other rolling hills of the area. To reach the trailhead, leave pavement here (33.58714, -116.75308) and take Juan Diego Flats Road, which is suitable for Crossover vehicles or better. The road is totally washed out close to the start, but people have carved a side-road on the left through the shrubs. If you prefer to hike this section of road or don't have a suitable vehicle, expect to add about 5 miles and 500 feet of vertical gain round-trip. My friend Tyler lives nearby, and he was willing to drive out to meet me for a quick outing to hike and catch up. We got to the trailhead and he pulled out bushwhacking tools. I looked at him blankly. "Expecting a bushwhack?" He laughed at me. I was dismayed. Fortunately, Tyler only had to cut back a couple of branches, the trail in otherwise excellent shape.

The hike starts out along a wide trail carved through tall chaparral, the route wrapping along the slope of Cahuilla Mountain's northern ridge. We weaved in and out of various slopes and drainages for a while before the trail ascended more earnestly up to the peak's northern shoulder, then dipped down a few hundred feet on the western slope of the summit. The foliage was very different on this side of the mountain, trees and grasses replacing the thick brush. We ascended to the summit of Cahuilla Mountain where we got some decent views toward Thomas Mountain and Mount San Jacinto, though it was mostly obscured by trees.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Cahuilla Mountain
5635 ft
1555 rise

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Starting up the Cahuilla Mountain Trail.
Starting up the Cahuilla Mountain Trail.
View back toward the trailhead (right).
View back toward the trailhead (right).
The Cahuilla Mountain Trail wraps along the eastern slopes for a while.
The Cahuilla Mountain Trail wraps along the eastern slopes for a while.
View back.
View back.
More wrapping around the slope.
More wrapping around the slope.
The trail leads in and out of wide drainages.
The trail leads in and out of wide drainages.
Image 6 from gallery
And then it ascends more earnestly up to the northern ridge of Cahuilla Mountain.
And then it ascends more earnestly up to the northern ridge of Cahuilla Mountain.
Small grassy section before reaching the ridge.
Small grassy section before reaching the ridge.
The trail surprised me by dropping a couple of hundred feet on the west side slope.
The trail surprised me by dropping a couple of hundred feet on the west side slope.
And then we ascended again through forest.
And then we ascended again through forest.
View back as we progress through the forest and grasses.
View back as we progress through the forest and grasses.
Image 12 from gallery
Final bit as we near the summit, some nice views along the way.
Final bit as we near the summit, some nice views along the way.
Cahuilla Mountain summit, view southwest.
Cahuilla Mountain summit, view southwest.
Cahuilla Mountain summit, view north toward Thomas Mountain and Mount San Jacinto.
Cahuilla Mountain summit, view north toward Thomas Mountain and Mount San Jacinto.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!