Hike Sheephead Mountain Cleveland National Forest, CA

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Route Map

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Sheephead Mountain GPX Track

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The Sheephead Mountain Trailhead is just a pull-off on the side of Kitchen Creek Road at a locked gate. Tyler and I hiked along an old doubletrack past the gate that descended slowly as it curved through the forest, slowly becoming singletrack. We reached a forest road that headed south and followed it, and although apparently this road briefly crosses through private property, we saw no negative signage. The private property portion lasts only for a short time anyway, so we weren't too concerned, but you could hypothetically stay off the road and hike through the forest if you're concerned about trespassing.

We left the road when we noted a small cairn, but the route is a bit unclear at first and we had difficulty sticking to the social trail both on the ascent and descent. After a couple hundred feet of floundering, we located the well-carved social trail snaking through the brush. Without its existence we would have absolutely turned around. It'd be a steep and heinous slope up to Sheephead Mountain if not for the saintly folks who maintain this route. Initially, the route headed up a gully through/below taller brush, but then we emerged into chaparral and sunlight and were forced to move slowly to avoid getting torn up by stray manzanita branches.

We reached the summit area, where the trail continued briefly west to the high point, a stack of large boulders. We kept the ascent Class 2+ on the east side by wrapping around some brush and scrambling up a flat slab to gain the high point. The views from here were really nice, especially toward Cuyamaca Peak.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Sheephead Mountain

5896 ft

576 rise

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We started past this gate.

A forested trail.

Descending gradually to a dirt forest road. Sheephead Mountain seen top left.

The trail parallels a fence.

On a forest road. Apparently a portion of this road crosses private property.

Leaving the forest road after a short time to take the social trail to Sheephead Mountain.

Steep ascent up a brushy gully.

View back at our progress.

The gully opens into a chaparral slope.

View back into the valley we hiked up from.

Ascending Sheephead Mountain. Fortunately, a kind soul maintains this trail or it would be nearly impassable.

Higher up.

We reached the top of the slope, Sheephead Mountain seen ahead.

Just below the summit, a view back the way we came.

Sheephead Mountain summit block scramble.

Tyler coming up the summit block.

Sheephead Mountain summit view west.

Sheephead Mountain summit view north toward Cuyamaca Peak.

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!