Boucher Hill Lookout Trail

The Boucher Hill Lookout Trail ascends to the highest accessible point in Palomar Mountain State Park, reaching an historic fire lookout tower perched atop Boucher Hill at 5,438 feet above sea level. The 1.5-mile out-and-back hike climbs 300 feet through mixed conifer forest to deliver one of the most expansive panoramic views available anywhere in San Diego County, encompassing a sweeping vista that extends from the Pacific Ocean on the west to the Salton Sea and the Colorado Desert on the east.

The Boucher Hill Fire Lookout is a historic structure dating to the era when a network of manned fire towers monitored the forests of Southern California for smoke, and the building has been preserved as part of the park's cultural heritage. On clear days, the view from the lookout encompasses an extraordinary range of landscapes, including the Channel Islands offshore, the urban sprawl of the San Diego metropolitan area, the mountains of the Anza-Borrego Desert, and on exceptionally clear days, glimpses of Baja California to the south.

The lookout summit is an outstanding birdwatching vantage point, particularly during spring and fall migration when raptors, swallows, and various passerines move through the mountain pass in significant numbers. The trail climbs steadily on a well-maintained path through old-growth cedars and firs. The $10 per vehicle park entry fee applies. Leashed dogs are welcome. Wind can be strong and temperatures considerably cooler than at lower elevations, so bring extra layers even in summer.