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

Apr 12, 2023 — 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.