Location: San Diego County, 13 miles southeast of Temecula, 112 miles from Los Angeles

Maps

Auto Club: San Diego County

Forest Service: Cleveland National Forest

USGS Topo: Vail Lake 7½, Boucher Hill 7½, Aguanga 7½

HPS (updated): National Geographic Topo!

HPS (old version): Route(s), waypoints and explanation of usage

Distance: 26 miles round trip on trail, road, and cross-country

Gain: 4900' total, 4200' out plus 700' on return

Time: 11-12 hours round trip

Rating: Class 1, very strenuous

Navigation: Intermediate

Leader Rating: "I", normal conditions

Original: Alan Coles, February 1994

DRIVING ROUTE 2

• Take I-15 south to Temecula.
• Go east on SR 79 (this is the second SR 79 exit) for about 10 miles, cross a narrow bridge and turn right to Dripping Springs Campground. Park in the lot on the right near the entrance (no fee) or in a campsite ($7 a day).

HIKING ROUTE 2

• Walk to the south end of the campground where a sign and trail register are located. Sign the register, then proceed across a seasonal stream (flooded after heavy rains). Just past the "Agua Tibia Wilderness" sign, the trail reaches a trail junction with the Wild Horse Trail on the left and the Dripping Springs Trail on the right.
• Turn left and go 7 long miles as the trail contours 200' above Arroyo Seco then ascends the east shoulder of Wild Horse Peak passing through the saddle west of Agua BM, and then descends to a former dirt road.
• Turn left and descend about 1/4 mile to a switchback on the right, which leads to a seasonal stream. Cross the stream and a very distinct cow trail and ascend the south side to a road at 2800'. From here to Crosley Saddle the trail is likely to be very vague and difficult to follow.
• Cross the road (private property in both directions) and pass through a gate. Continue 3 miles on the former Crosley Truck Trail (now a trail) to Crosley Saddle (3931') and a signed junction with the former Palomar-Magee Truck Trail (now a trail). The right fork leads to Agua Tibia Mountain and the Dripping Springs Trail.
• Turn left and go 1.5 miles (1/4 mile past the saddle at 4468') to a small gully on the right sometimes marked by a duck. Continue up this gully as in Route 1.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The Forest Service is planning a seasonal closure of the Dripping Springs Campground because of the endangered green toad. This may prevent the use of Routes 2 and 3 during closure periods. Please contact the Palomar Ranger District Office at 760-788-0250 for current closure information.