Cutca Trail

The first .5 mile is downhill through switchbacks. The trail then climbs back out of the small valley following the bottom of a small drainage. The trail continues west across a number of meadows and then climbs again into the Cutca Valley. After wandering north down the valley for about .5 mile, the trail turns west again and climbs into the SE corner of the Agua Tibia Wilderness. The trail climbs up the bottom of a drainage for about 1 mile and then starts a steep climb up a ridge toward Eagle Crag. The climb ends at the 4730' elevation and begins a contour west across the face of the peak to a ridge which runs northwest. The trail then descends this ridge to Crosley Saddle and its terminus with the Wildhorse Trail and Palomar-Magee Trail. The trail traverses a wide variety of landscapes including chaparral, oak woodlands, big cone douglas fir, and coulter pine stands. Animals include lizards, snakes, deer, mountain lions and much in between. Water sources are scarce. The meadow areas provide good camping (A visitor pass is required for overnight stays in the backcountry. Campfires are not permitted at any time).