Hike Cahuilla Mountain San Bernardino National Forest, CA

Apr 10, 2023 — 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.