Majestic Cahuilla Mountain Overlooks Anza and Aguanga
Her rock face is one of the main features that draws your attention. Residents and visitors alike that travel on Highways 79 and 371 can’t miss the mountain in the distant that shows her face of rock with scattered pine trees. She is one of the dormant mountains in the Anza and Aguanga Area. She is Cahuilla Mountain.
Earthquakes helped bring Cahuilla to her mountainous glory at an elevation of 5635 feet. Cahuilla Mountain area was designated a wilderness in 2009 and is a mountain of ancient Native American legend and is part of where the novel “Ramona” written by Helen Hunt Jackson in 1884 is said to of taken place.
In this excerpt from the book “Ramona” Jackson’s charters seem to be speaking about the majestic Cahuilla Mountain
“Gazing around, looking up at the lofty pinnacles above, which seemed to pierce the sky, looking down upon the world,–it seemed the whole world, so limitless it stretched away at her feet,–feeling that infinite unspeakable sense of nearness to Heaven, remoteness from earth which comes only on mountain heights, she drew in a long breath of delight, and cried: “At last! at last, Alessandro! Here we are safe! This is freedom! This is joy!”
The mountain is indeed a place that has views of all the surrounding areas. The mountain is blanketed in chaparral, ribbonwood, also known as redshank, and manzanita. In its upper elevations there are trees such as black oak and pine.
The trail that transvers the mountain is approximately 9.2 miles with an 1800’ elevation gain if you hike from the old Tripp Flats Fire Station. From the saddle where the Cahuilla Mountain Trail officially begins (this is where the forest sign says it begins) you begin a moderate to strenuous uphill hike. From this part of the hike you will be treated to views of Thomas Mountain, the Olivet Christin College Campus and views of the Anza Valley.
As you travel further up the mountain you enter areas of Black Oak, Coulter, Ponderosa and Sugar Pine Trees. As you pass through this area you descend a bit in elevation, but then continue to climb to the peak where you are treated to views of Beauty Mountain, Palomar Mountain and the gated community of Lake Riverside Estates which sits below the mountain.
Directions to Trail Head:
From the town of Anza, take Highway 371 towards Temecula at mile marker 371RIV 68.0 there is a sign that says Cahuilla Mountain Trail (2E45) at this sign turn right on to Cary Road. Follow this road (it will change names to Tripp Flatts Road). At approximately 3.6 miles you will turn left on to Forest Road 6522, at times this road is only passable with a 4X4 vehicle. Go 2.4 miles until you reach the trail head which is on your left on the right is a small turn out area only large enough for 3 cars. Those with horse trailers can park at the turn outs at the beginning of Forest Service Road 6522, since there may not be room at the trail head or the road may be in poor repair.