Cuyamaca Mountains

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Cuyamaca Mountains
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Location of Cuyamaca Mountains in California [1]
Highest point
Elevation 1,761 m (5,778 ft)
Geography
Country United States
State California
District San Diego County
Range coordinates 32°56′31″N 116°36′14″W / 32.942°N 116.6039°W / 32.942; -116.6039Coordinates: 32°56′31″N 116°36′14″W / 32.942°N 116.6039°W / 32.942; -116.6039
Topo map USGS Cuyamaca Peak

The Cuyamaca Mountains, locally the Cuyamacas, are a mountain range in San Diego County, California.[1] The mountains run roughly northwest to southeast. The highest elevations are Cuyamaca Peak at 6,512 feet (1,985 m) and Stonewall Peak at 5,700 feet (1,700 m).[2] The San Diego River and the Sweetwater River both rise in the Cuyamacas. The Cuyamaca Reservoir lies adjacent to the east side of the range.

The mountains are part of the Cleveland National Forest and contain Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

Julian lies north of the range[3] and the towns of Descanso, Pine Valley and Guatay lie to the south.[4]

Interstate 8 passes through the southern part of the Cuyamaca Mountains. State Rt. 79, known as the Cuyamaca Highway, runs north–south along the eastern part of the mountains.[3][4]

Gold rush

Gold was discovered in the Cuyamacas in 1870 and the mountains were subject to a gold rush. Towns and encampments of Coleman City, Branson City, Eastwood, Julian, and Banner sprang up to support the miners. First a mining camp called Stonewall(1873-1876), then the company town of Stratton (1887-1888), renamed Cuyamaca City (1888-1906),[5] at its peak had a population of 500 and served the Stonewall Mine. The town was abandoned after mining operations ceased, and few traces of it exist.[6] The site of the town now lies within Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.[7] Other gold mines were supported by the town of Julian, which celebrates its mining history with an annual festival called Gold Rush Days.[8] The Eagle-High Peak Mine, no longer productive, is now a museum and gives daily tours.[9]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Cuyamaca Mountains". Geographic Names Information System, U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2009-05-04. 
  2. ↑ Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Borrego Valley, California, 30x60 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1982
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 El Cajon, California, 30x60 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1979
  5. ↑ Frickstad, Walter N., A Century of California Post Offices 1848-1954, Philatelic Research Society, Oakland, CA. 1955, pp. 147-158
  6. ↑ Pourade, Richard, The History of San Diego, Chapter 4, The Mountain that Sprouted Gold
  7. ↑ Sampson, Michael, Recent Archaeological Investigations at the Stonewall Mine Site
  8. ↑ San Diego Union Tribune, June 13, 2010
  9. ↑ juliangoldrushdays.com
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