Eagle Peak - Peak #10 - Double-Digit Milestone
Eagle Peak
Elevation: 3,226’
Mileage: 4.2 Miles
Agency: Cleveland National Forest
Dates Hiked: 09/10/2009, 03/18/2016, 04/22/2016, 10/02/2017
Trailhead: Three Sisters Falls Trailhead
Peakbagger.com Page
The view from Eagle Peak into the San Diego River Gorge
For those interested, here is a list of my gear that I have found works well for me. This is, of course, an affiliate link and your enjoyment of these may vary:
UPDATE: Since I wrote this in 2009, a large parking lot has been added to this trailhead, mainly to handle the growing popularity of Three Sisters Falls, with trash cans and porta-potties. In 2009, Three Sisters Falls was rarely visited compared to Cedar Creek Falls.
Please clean up after yourself, as this is one of the most littered trails that I’ve been on.
09/10/2009
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.
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.
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 Cedar Fire from 2003 completely charred the area south of Julian (among many other places) and evidence lined the trail.
View down the canyon from Eagle Peak all the way to El Cajon Mountain
Some oak trees provided some shade 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.
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
