Most of the range consists of extensive oak forest and chaparral, part of the California montane chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, interspersed with pine forests and lush riparian zones, featuring year round creeks and waterfalls.

The pine forests were extensively burned by the 2003 Cedar Fire, along with many large areas of chaparral and oak woodland, which has since experienced slow and steady regrowth.

Cuyamaca Peak, at 6,512 feet (1,985 m), is San Diego County's second highest, after Hot Springs Mountain.

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, with California oak woodlands habitat, is located in the range.

[5] Alpine, a more populated town with some dense residential development, lies directly to the west of the range, bordering the Lakeside and El Cajon areas.