Peak 95 - Kuuchamaa (Tecate Peak) - Distant views along the border

Kuuchamaa (Tecate Peak)
Elevation: 3,885’
Mileage: ~6.5
Trailhead: Turnout on Tecate Mountain Road (Border Patrol)
Agency: Otay Mountain Wilderness (BLM)
Date Hiked: 10/16/2022
Peakbagger.com Page

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:

100 Peaks Amazon Gear List

10/16/2022
I woke up in my car, after sleeping pretty well after my long day summiting Otay Mountain from the campground. I got out and had some coffee and breakfast at my campsite before heading out. I drove through the beautiful rolling hills of Jamul, entering a burn area before making the right into Tecate, CA, which was pretty busy after the relative peace of the campground.

I took a right at Tecate Mission Road, which quickly turned to gravel. It was lined on either side with parked cars, likely there for those who have crossed the border by foot. I carefully followed the road as it banked towards the border wall.

Driving along the border, with Kuuchamaa (Tecate Peak) above

I saw what I thought was someone on a recreational ATV until I saw a uniformed border patrol officer stand up on the pedals as he passed. I waved as I drove by.

I continued up the dirt road, keeping an eye out for hikers and other cars. I wanted to shave off some distance, since I had my fill of road hiking the day before.

I passed a hiker and offered him a ride, but he was willing to hike the whole way. I am not sure where he had parked. I hadn’t seen any parked cars in a while, so it must have been pretty far.

I passed a sheriff’s officer on her way down the road who asked if I was out for a hike. She asked where I was going to park, and I let her know I would find a turnout somewhere. She wished me a good hike and let me know there was also another border patrol vehicle on its way down and to keep and eye out for it.

I continued up the road, which was in pretty good condition and it started to climb more steeply up the hillside. I didn’t want to drive the whole way, so I pulled over onto a slab of granite that allowed me to be completely off the road. From my car’s perch, I could see Tecate, Mexico spread out below me, as well as the border wall separating us.

Where I parked my car off the road, overlooking Tecate, Mexico

I swapped my shoes and started up the dirt road, which began steeply switching back up the eastern face of Kuuchamaa. Far above me, I could hear the squeaking of the suspension of the border patrol vehicle as it was descending along the road. The views got better and better as the road got higher.

The trail switched back up the mountain, the top at the center with the antennae

I passed the border patrol officer who asked if I was out for a walk. I responded in the affirmative and let him know that there was another hiker below me. We went our separate ways.

Panoramic view of Tecate and the border wall from Kuuchamaa (Tecate Peak) (Click to enlarge)

The road continued to the southwest, aiming for a shoulder on the mountain before turning back northeast to head toward the summit. I could see the antennae above me and noticed a burn area from the Border13 Fire from June 2022. I could smell it before I reached it. The trail flattened a little bit before spiraling toward the summit.

I paused for a moment, distinctly aware that this mountain is considered highly sacred among the Kumeyaay nations.

It is visible for miles and is considered a source of power in tribal lore. Many ceremonies have been performed here and there were regular tribal gatherings at its base.

Keeping this in mind, I continued up.

Switching back the other way, feeling like I'm on top of the world

Pano from near the top of the mountain, Otay Mountain center left (Click to enlarge)

I reached the top and had wonderful views in all directions. There were two border patrol vehicles on top. One appeared to be a semi-permanent truck with a mast mounted on the back and a camera on an orb swivel.

Every once in a while it would turn in a direction and watch. The other vehicle was a truck that was used to get to the top with a border patrol agent inside, monitoring the equipment.

The view of Otay Mountain from Kuuchamaa (Tecate Peak)

The other hiker made it to the top not long after me, as I had dallied for a bit at my car before I set off. We chatted for a bit and he confirmed that the surveillance device was looking far away and likely had thermal sensors. He had used something like it in the past as part of our armed forces.

He turned around and headed back down as I finished my lunch.

I enjoyed the breeze and long views from the top, as I wasn’t shrouded in low clouds, as I had been yesterday. The peak is pretty prominent, giving me the feeling of being on top of the world. I could see for many miles in all directions, even seeing the large mass of Otay Mountain from the day before.

I packed up my things, waved goodbye to the border patrol agent and headed back down to the car.

As I descended, I did notice a few other areas where I could have parked, but was happy with where I stopped. I could also see the the border wall stretched out into the distance below me.

The way was pretty straightforward and I could see my car long before I got back to it. I switched out my clothes and drove back down the mountain, passing the other hiker and the ATV-riding agent. I waved again.

I headed back north toward home, happy to have completed two more peaks on my seemingly neverending march to 100.