Cuyamaca Loft
Cuyamaca Loft is a retreat home located at 5,000 feet above Lake Cuyamaca in Julian, California. This is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath home that features bamboo floors, cedar walls, corrugated metal ceilings, an open loft, music/reading room, wood stove, and three view decks. The home is designed to sleep up to eight (8) adults and includes both a private bedroom (queen bed) and dormitory style bedroom with twin bunks. There is additional sleeping in the loft.
There is excellent access to both the lake and surrounding hiking trails of Rancho Cuyamaca State Park, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and the Cleveland with National Forest.
Among the local activities there are exceptional biking routes (both road and mountain), hiking trails (the Pacific Crest Trail is less than 3 miles away), and fishing (Trout, Bass, Catfish etc.) in picturesque Lake Cuyamaca.
Biking
Road bikes are a common site on the backroads of the Cuyamaca's. Rides from 40 to 100 miles or more exist throughout the backcountry with elevation gain/loss in excess of 5,000 feet. These roads range from moderate to extreme in their difficulty but all roads provide breathtaking views. Typical rides from Cuyamaca Loft include the Laguna Loop ride (50 miles, difficult), Julian Backcountry and Winery Ride (40 miles, moderate) to the Desert Drop (110 miles, extreme) in addition to any variation or combination. For more info on rides visit: www.bikely.com
Local mountain biking routes include the challenging rides throughout Rancho Cuyamaca State Park (RCSP) From RCSP you can easily access additional trails in the adjacent recreational areas of Mount Laguna (which includes the famed Noble Canyon Trail) as well as Anza Borrego Desert State Partk (ABDSP) and Oriflame Canyon, a gnarly desert descent of more than 4,000 feet! Other riding options include the Cleveland National Forest and the famed local watering holes, Three Sisters and Cedar Creek Falls.
Hiking
Hiking Trials are nearly limitless with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) leading the way in terms of history and splendor. Additionally, the Cuyamaca Peaks Hike (Middle Peak, Cuyamaca Peak, Stonewall Peak) is nearly equal in distance and elevation gain/loss as the Grand Canyon or Mount Whitney. There are, of course, easy day hikes around the lake including stops at the old Stonewall Gold Mine as well as the numerous Indian sites throughout the valley.
Fishing
Fishing may be the most popular activity in Lake Cuyamaca and the variety of fish, from Trout to Bass to Catfish and Crappie, insures year-round excitement on the water. Boats, rental gear and fishing licenses may be obtained at the Lake. Hours of operation are generally 6 am to Sunset. Please click here for more information.
