Tuesday, 17th of November 2009 at 01:43:01 PM
 Eagle Crag |
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Distance: 16.2 miles round-trip Hiking Time: 11 hours (round trip) Elevation Gain/Loss: 3800′/3800′ Difficulty: Strenuous |
Directions: From Interstate 15 at Temecula, exit at highway 79. Drive 18 miles east on Highway 79 to reach the hamlet of Aguanga. Continue on 79 for another .3 miles to reach a paved access road into Rancho California RV Resort on the right. Head south on this road, which continues beyond the resort as Forest Road 8S05 – High Point Road.
Drive a total of 5 miles south to the signed CUTCA TRAIL on the right.
Start off by descending sharply on the Cutca Trail into the depths of Cottonwood Creek.
Climb the saddle at 1.2 miles and then descend to the Aguanga Trail junction at 2.1 miles. Continue on the Cutca Trail through Long Canyon, at 5.0 miles you cross Cutca Road. Walk .4 miles north on the dirt road and resume west on the Cutca Trail.
The valley here is nice and flat and this is a great place to spend the night.
Leaving the valley you cross the signed Agua Tibia Wilderness boundary, and follow a shady ravine. Switchbacks take you up to a junction with the Magee-Palomar Trail (7.6 miles).
From this junction, or another point .2 miles west, you can make your bid for Eagle Crag.
This involves a short, steep, cross-country climb through thick vegetation. The rock pile is the apex Eagle Crag. Take some time to enjoy the wonderful view from up here.
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