Cuyamaca Mountains
The Cuyamaca Mountains (Kumeyaay: ‘Ekwiiyemak), locally the Cuyamacas, are a mountain range of the Peninsular Ranges System, in San Diego County, southern California. The mountain range runs roughly northwest to southeast. The Laguna Mountains are directly adjacent to the east, with Palomar Mountain and Hot Springs Mountain more distant to the north.
| Cuyamaca Mountains | |
|---|---|
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Cuyamaca Peak |
| Elevation | 1,985 m (6,512 ft) |
| Geography | |
Cuyamaca Mountains Location of Cuyamaca Mountains in California Cuyamaca Mountains Cuyamaca Mountains (San Diego County, California) | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| District | San Diego County |
| Range coordinates | 32°56′31.174″N 116°36′14.070″W |
| Topo map | USGS Cuyamaca Peak |
Most of the range consists of extensive oak forest and chaparral, part of the California montane chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, interspersed with pine forests and lush riparian zones, featuring year round creeks and waterfalls. The San Diego River and Sweetwater River both have their headwaters in these mountains, which flow over 50 miles to the ocean. The pine forests were extensively burned by the 2003 Cedar Fire, along with many large areas of chaparral and oak woodland, which has since experienced slow and steady regrowth.
The high elevation results in snowfall throughout the winter months. Cuyamaca Peak, at 6,512 feet (1,985 m), is San Diego County's second highest, after Hot Springs Mountain.