Cahuilla Mountain Trail: 5.27.18

11/03/2020
Hiking

Cahuilla Mountain Trail is a 5.7 miles out and back trail. It is near Anza, CA. It is labeled as a moderate hike. There is some elevation gain, maybe a few hundred feet over the span on the entire trip. What I think may contribute to the moderate label is length. There are no major hills. There are a few inclines, but they are not arduous or particularly demanding in anyway. Another contributing factor could be climate or temperature, however, both tend to change with the seasons, so i do not believe that is it either. Naturally, if this trail is completed during the summer months, this would certainly add to the challenge. But, in and of itself, taking all extraneous variable out of the equation, there are no characteristics about this trail that make it inherently moderate other than what was previously noted, its length. 

From Anza, follow the forest road 6S22 to the Cahuilla Saddle. The trail head begins here with an incline on a well kept dirt road. If you hike during the Spring or Summer months, there is the occasional snake. On one of our hikes at this location we saw a six foot adult rattle snake and then less than five minutes later, saw a baby rattle snake that camouflaged into the rock coloration of the ground. 

Once you get past the dirt part of the trail, the trail transitions to an opened brush area. Shortly thereafter, it turns into an opened meadow that is greeted by a forest area. There is ample shade during this part of the hike with stupendous views that are framed in overhanging trees and looking out across the meadow and distant valley. At the top of the peak, the geography changes once more. It is shrubbery and a few small trees. There is a hiker's box where travelers can sign in and read entries from other hikers. Some of the things written are uplifting and profound. Others are mere stamps of arrival citing travelers' names and date. I have done this particular hike twice, first time in 2018 and then in 2020. I found my original entry and noted it in my 2020 entry. it was neat to find that what I had written two years previously was still in the box. 

I recommend this hike during spring when flowers are blooming, colors are vibrant, weather is comfortable, and there is an uplifting breeze. Keep exploring!