Absolutely wonderful New Year's Day hike. We were on crunchy snow (1/2 inch to 12 inches deep) the ENTIRE hike. Nike boot track all the way up, not too icy. Made it all the way up and down without extra traction devices. The trailhead is surprisingly easy to get to. I can't believe that more people aren't taking advantage of this! $10 a person to gain entry to the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation...and worth every penny. The Cedar forest on the top half of the trail is worth the trip, and finding un-burned forest like this in San Diego County is getting more and more rare!