Cahuilla Mountain

"Used 4wd a bit to get up the road to the parking area, but very doable in a CRV. Trail is a nicely graded, pleasant path that winds around the mountain up to a wooded summit. Very nice contrast to the surrounding desert and chaparral at the top, but the views are partially obstructed by the trees." — edg • Feb 8, 2023

"My 100th summit on Peakery! I wanted to do a good one for number 100, and Cahuilla Mountain has been on my list for a long time, so it was time. A nice gentle climb through the chaparral to the saddle, and then some ups and downs to the summit. The trail from the saddle to the peak is the best part, winding through meadows and groves of oak and pine trees. Great views, and a great hike!" — Mojavewanderer • Mar 18, 2022

"This was my chance to visit the mountain that is depicted in the historical California novel "Ramona". I was in the area but unfortunately with limited time. I went a little out of my way to get to the Cahuilla Mountain Trail, but then again, that's the way it is anywhere I go hiking. This is a dry region and the temps were high, which probably explains why I had the trail to myself. Despite the heat, the climb was rather easy. I was hoping to fit in Little Cahuilla Mountain as well, which is about 1.5 miles down the dirt road, but time wasn’t on my side. Will need to go back some other day for that one." — MikeTeeples • Jul 14, 2019

"Just hiked Lookout Mountain in the rain and snow, so I was glad the precipitation had stopped by the time I got to the trailhead for Cahuilla Mountain. The dirt road was very navigable in my Camry and the trail was clear and easy to follow, making this a rather straightforward outing. There was still dense fog and coldy, gusty wind to keep things interesting. " — klotito • Mar 17, 2018

"6.4 miles r/t w/1,600' gain on undulating trail from HPS Route 1 Parking on FR 6S22. TH:4,540'. Hike with Bill & Virginia Simpson, Dr. Jim Hagar, Jimmy Quan, May Tang, Tina Chu. Only party on mountain. " — BradStemm • Feb 3, 2016

"I paired Cahuilla with Little Cahuilla on a misty day that followed a bit of rain. Right at the beginning of the dirt road to the trailhead, there was a giant puddle, all the way across the road, that my Honda Accord clearly wouldn't make it through. (On a dry day, I might have been tempted to go for it; my car possibly could have made it...no guarantees, though...so really it was better to be safe.) Fortunately, there's a nice parking area right off the beginning of the dirt road, so I pulled in and started hiking. Obviously this added quite a bit of distance to the hike. The total for the day (getting these two peaks) was 17 miles." — HikerMark • May 9, 2015

"Hiking the Cahuilla Mountain Trail again after a new puzzle geocache. Went to the top since our hiking companion had not previously been. Completely clear day with long-distance, gorgeous views.....very different from the snowy day we first summited." — Sierrawildflower • Mar 9, 2014

"The well maintained trail was in stark constrast to the rough use trails and cross country I had been using all weekend. The result- litter at the summit, bullet holes in the summit register and wasted joints in the ammo box. Nature." — Christopher • Jan 26, 2014