Contact Info
1634 Black Canyon Road
Ramona, CA 92065
- Phone:
- 760-788-0250
Basics
- Length:
- 6.8 miles
- Difficulty:
- Difficult
- Time:
- 6 - 7 hours
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 1600 feet
- Elevation Range:
- 1600 feet to 4400 feet
- Elevation Change:
- 2800 feet
Basic Directions
From the LA Basin take I-15 south to Highway 79 near Temecula. Take Hwy 79 south 11 miles to Dripping Springs. Turn right and park in Trailhead parking lot. (Vehicles must display a Forest Adventure Pass.) From San Diego take I-15 north to Highway 79. Follow previous instructions. The trail is reached by walking south from the parking lot .5 mile through Dripping Springs campground.
Description
The trail immediately begins to climb out of the campground on a well-graded incline. The next mile contains some climbing leading to a set of switchbacks. A long strenuous climb ensues until the 3200' elevation is reached. The trail then makes an easy southward traverse of a basin before resuming a climb to the southwest. A ridge ascent leads to another traverse and the crossing of the only potential water along the trail (seasonal). After crossing the drainage, a short set of stacked switchbacks is climbed leading to a climbing traverse to the trail terminus on the northwest ridge of Agua Tibia Mountain. This is the junction with the Palomar-Magee trail and occurs in a nice oak grove - suitable for camping. (A visitor pass is required for overnight stays in the backcountry. Campfires are not permitted at any time).
