With San Diego’s arid climate and history of severe wildfires, shaded hikes through significant tree cover can be few and far between. Fortunately there’s still a lot of forest to enjoy in the Laguna Mountain Recreation area, and this loop combining the Los Gatos Ravine and Chico Ravine Trails is a great way to get your fill of fresh pine scent. Continue reading Los Gatos Ravine and Chico Ravine Loop
Category Archives: Cleveland National Forest
Garnet Peak via Penny Pines
Garnet Peak is one of our favorite hikes in San Diego. It’s a fairly easy hike with fantastic views, and during the right time of year there are plenty of wildflowers to enjoy. We like this hike so much, this is the third time we’ve written it up – documenting three different ways to get there. This particular route, starting from the Penny Pines trailhead along the Sunrise Highway, is probably the most popular route (likely because of the ample free parking – no Adventure Pass is required at Penny Pines). It travels north along the famous Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) before branching off to ascend Garnet Peak. Continue reading Garnet Peak via Penny Pines
Three Sisters
Three Sisters Waterfall is one of many remote backcountry destinations in San Diego that has become increasingly popular thanks to the publicity of social media. With three successive, cascading waterfalls and pools of cool, flowing water to swim in, Three Sisters is indeed an alluring destination. But the trail to the falls has long been a bit sketchy and until recently involved a very steep descent down a heavily eroded hillside, often requiring the use of ropes. Fortunately the US Forest Service has recently cut a new section of trail that takes a much easier and more environmentally friendly route to the falls. Continue reading Three Sisters
Foster Point
Just a few hundred feet off the Pacific Crest Trail in Mount Laguna stands Foster Point, a fantastic vantage point from which to take in views of the nearby Anza-Borrego desert and many of the area’s prominent peaks. To aid you in identifying these peaks, there is a rustic direction finder that was installed by the Sierra Club. Foster Point is an easy side-trip if you happen to be hiking this stretch of the PCT, but it also makes a fun hike all on its own if you’re looking for something easy with a big payoff. Continue reading Foster Point
Cedar Creek Falls (via Julian)
Cedar Creek Falls is one of San Diego’s most popular back country day hike destinations. Once a little-known place, the rise of the Internet and social media has turned this into a heavily trafficked, must-see selfie spot. There is good reason for this popularity, waterfalls are few and far between in arid San Diego, and not only is this one of the area’s more consistent and dramatic falls, it also has an idyllic pool perfect for swimming. Continue reading Cedar Creek Falls (via Julian)
Laguna Meadow Loop
Meadows and pine forests can be hard to come by in San Diego County, but the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is one spot where there’s plenty of both. This loop takes the Big Laguna Trail around the edge of the expansive Laguna Meadow and Big Laguna Lake, passing in and out of mature pine trees. Continue reading Laguna Meadow Loop
Monument Peak
Monument Peak in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area may not be the most pristine peak, topped with numerous antennae and towers – not to mention a satellite laser facility – but it is still a beautiful destination. The peak sits along the edge of the Laguna Mountains, with the Anza-Borrego desert lying below to the east. Continue reading Monument Peak
Indian Creek Loop
The Laguna Mountain area is one of our favorite hiking destinations in San Diego because it has so many interconnecting trails that can be combined into different hikes. The Indian Creek Loop combines segments of several different trails (Noble Canyon, Indian Creek, and the PCT) which we’ve explored before into an 8.7 mile loop with a wonderful variety of landscapes to enjoy. Continue reading Indian Creek Loop
Kitchen Creek Falls (via Kitchen Creek Road)
One of the best parts about writing this blog is hearing from readers who are just as big of hiking nerds as we are. We have learned considerable amounts of great information from people who take the time to email or leave comments discussing different trails and routes. After our post on the hike to Kitchen Creek Falls from Boulder Oaks Campground last year, we got an email from a reader who basically said, “That looks great, but wouldn’t it be easier to start at Kitchen Creek Road and go south on the PCT?” A quick look at the topo map confirmed that yes indeed, the southbound route would be a mile shorter and have less elevation gain, so another hike was added to our to-hike list! Continue reading Kitchen Creek Falls (via Kitchen Creek Road)
Love Valley Meadow
Love Valley lies near the base of Palomar Mountain just west of Lake Henshaw. Seasonal ponds, a rustic old barn, and an oak-lined meadow make for a pleasant stroll. The valley is still currently used at times for cattle grazing. While we didn’t encounter any cows on our trip, be aware that you might have some four-legged companions on your hike.
From the trailhead off of East Grade Road, we stepped past the gate and set off along the hard-packed dirt road.
Almost immediately, we spotted a single track trail branching off on the right. We turned and followed this trail through the trees.
The trail descended towards the valley below.
Wildflowers were beginning to dot the grassy trailside.
We passed through a short section of overgrown ceanothus.
Around .28 miles we crossed a narrow stream.
We followed the thin stream of water for a short stretch.
We passed through some more oaks and crossed a damp muddy patch before emerging on the edge of the meadow. The trail bent south, heading towards an old, dilapidated barn.
We followed the trail as it passed by the barn, allowing us a close look at the ramshackle building. It was constructed of rusty sheets of corrugated metal that groaned loudly in the wind. I personally found the “No Trespassing” signs unnecessary, as the likelihood of contracting tetanus was enough to keep me out.
Continuing past the barn, we took in the beautiful meadow on our right. Water filled several of the depressions in the field.
At .6 miles we came upon a “T” junction. The road straight ahead led back to our starting point and would be our route out. For now, we turned right to explore more of the valley.
The old road traveled south. On our right was the open expanse of the meadow, and on our left were tall oak trees. As we continued, we caught some glimpses of Lake Henshaw through the trees.
We got some better views of the small pond in the middle of the meadow.
We also spotted a number of these cement cylinders near the road, which immediately made me think of fire rings. We hypothesized that the area may once have held a campground, but I haven’t been able to find any confirmation of that.
We encountered increasing numbers of small yellow flowers.
The old road turned west and slowly began to fade away, overgrown with grass.
By the time we reached the 1.4 mile point, the trail had pretty much disappeared. It would certainly be possible to forge your own path around the meadow and loop back to the rusty barn, but we decided to just turn around and retrace our path back to the last junction.
At the junction, we turned right and began to climb up the dirt road.
Before long we got some fantastic views of Lake Henshaw in the east.
We also found we had some nice views of the Valley behind us.
The ceanothus on the hills surrounding us was beginning to bloom.
We continued along the road as it wound around. Then suddenly, rounding a bend as the road turned sharply northward, we found ourselves back at the gate where we had started.
Directions:
From the junction of Highway 76 and East Grade Road (S7), head north on East Grade road for approximately 3.3 miles to the Love Valley Meadow trailhead on the left. Park in the large dirt turnout. map
| Total Distance: | 2.95 miles |
| Difficulty: | Easy – Moderate |
| Total Ascent: | 396 feet |
| Dog Friendly?: | Leashed dogs allowed |
| Bike Friendly?: | Bikes allowed |
| Facilities: | None |
| Fees/Permits: | None |
For more information, visit:
View route or download GPX from CalTopo