Pine Ridge High Point and Green Valley Falls in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, CA

Hike Pine Ridge High Point and Green Valley Falls Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, CA

Class 1 4.3 miles 800 gain 1-2 hr Loop Apr 12, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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The Pine Ridge High Point is a minor summit within the southern portion of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. It's reached from the Green Valley Campground, which requires a day use fee. I parked where I did because I wanted to check out Green Valley Falls as well as hike to the Pine Ridge High Point. You could instead park here (32.90668, -116.58445) to shorten the loop slightly if you don't care to see the falls. I hiked along the campground's web of paved roads and reached the Pine Ridge Trailhead.

The Pine Ridge Trail was in excellent condition as it ascended along the southeast ridge of the peak. I was loving the hazy humid views that separated the surrounding hills into layers. Keeping mostly to the slopes rather than the true crest, the trail ascended gradually and only had one major switchback. Cuyamaca Peak is visible above to the north. The Pine Ridge High Point summit is not located directly along the trail, so a short and prickly bushwhack is required to reach it. After picking some detached thorns out of my skin, I continued along the northern stretch of the Pine Ridge Trail, which led me down to the Arroyo Seco Fire Road which I'd use in order to form a loop. While you could just do this as an out-and-back, I thought the fire road added some nice landscape variety, meadows and wildflowers keeping it interesting.

Once back to the Green Valley Campground, I made my way to my car and dropped down along the Green Valley Falls Loop Trail. The falls were flowing powerfully enough that nobody was swimming. The trail leads along the edge of the watercourse, a few smaller falls along the way.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Pine Ridge High Point
4573 ft
333 rise

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Pine Ridge Trailhead.
Pine Ridge Trailhead.
Starting along the Pine Ridge Trail.
Starting along the Pine Ridge Trail.
View back as the trail heads up the ridge.
View back as the trail heads up the ridge.
Ascending toward Pine Ridge, currently out of frame.
Ascending toward Pine Ridge, currently out of frame.
View back, a bit higher up.
View back, a bit higher up.
Pine Ridge comes into view (far left). Cuyamaca Peak also seen right of center.
Pine Ridge comes into view (far left). Cuyamaca Peak also seen right of center.
Pine Ridge High Point seen top left.
Pine Ridge High Point seen top left.
The trail usually stays just right or left of the crest, keeping to a gradual ascent grade. Cuyamaca Peak seen top right. I'll be in the valley on the right later to complete the loop.
The trail usually stays just right or left of the crest, keeping to a gradual ascent grade. Cuyamaca Peak seen top right. I'll be in the valley on the right later to complete the loop.
View back.
View back.
Another shot back,
Another shot back,
Cuyamaca Peak seen top right.
Cuyamaca Peak seen top right.
Pine Ridge High Point seen ahead.
Pine Ridge High Point seen ahead.
A short spurt of bushwhacking to reach the true high point.
A short spurt of bushwhacking to reach the true high point.
Pine Ridge High Point summit, view west.
Pine Ridge High Point summit, view west.
I descended the north side of the trail.
I descended the north side of the trail.
It led into a valley on the northeast side of Pine Ridge High Point.
It led into a valley on the northeast side of Pine Ridge High Point.
Cuyamaca Peak in the distance.
Cuyamaca Peak in the distance.
Junction with the fire road I'd take back to the Green Valley Campground.
Junction with the fire road I'd take back to the Green Valley Campground.
Open meadows along the fire road.
Open meadows along the fire road.
Back at the trailhead, I headed down to Green Valley Falls.
Back at the trailhead, I headed down to Green Valley Falls.
Green Valley Falls on the left.
Green Valley Falls on the left.
The upper set of falls of Green Valley Falls.
The upper set of falls of Green Valley Falls.
Image 22 from gallery
Farther downstream.
Farther downstream.
Lower portion of Green Valley Falls.
Lower portion of Green Valley Falls.

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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!