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
Category Archives: Pacific Crest Trail
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
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
Oasis Spring
Oasis Spring was once a source of water for several camps and cabins in Mount Laguna, but is now an all but forgotten side trip off the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The Spring lies at the end of an old, overgrown road, which is slowly fades into an overgrown and unmaintained trail. The trail leads to a lush pocket of vegetation on the edge of the desert, and an old metal pump house is situated among the dense growth. Continue reading Oasis Spring
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)
Desert View Nature Trail
The Desert View Nature Trail is a short interpretive trail that begins and ends at the Burnt Rancheria Campground in Mount Laguna. The trail overlaps a small segment of the Pacific Crest Trail, and as it name implies, provides some nice views of the Anza-Borrego Desert. In addition to the views, a printed trail guide is available that provides educational descriptions about numbered exhibits that can be found along the trail.
Since this was a rather short trail, we made a day of hitting several of the shorter interpretive trails in the area. After hiking the Wooded Hill Nature Trail and the Kwaaymii Trail, we headed over to the Burnt Rancheria Campground to finish up with the Desert View Nature Trail. From the Day Use parking lot, we set off east along a paved walkway through a canopy of Black Oaks.
We quickly came upon the campground amphitheater.
We followed the path as it wrapped around to the right. As we approached some bathrooms, we spotted a wooden sign that read “Desert View Trail” pointing us to the left, and we dutifully followed.
We made our way along the trail through the campground, admiring the golden orange leaves of the transitioning Black Oak trees.
We crossed a couple of roads and finally came to the outer edge of the campground, where we found a “Y” junction and a “Desert View Trail” sign in the middle of the two paths. Having absolutely no indication of whether we should turn right or left, we decided to head down the path on the right and see what happened. We later came to find that both paths eventually connect, so pick whichever route you like.
We followed the right fork for a short ways before it bent to the left, taking us towards the PCT. We came upon a pair of benches, strategically placed to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Around .45 miles our trail converged with the PCT, and we started up a small hill.
It was perfect hiking weather, sunny, but not too hot, and a gentle breeze kept us comfortable.
To the right, we had a fantastic view of La Posta Creek Valley.
The surrounding foliage was a beautiful mix of chaparral, oaks, and pine trees.
As we continued away from the sloping canyonside, the density of the trees increased.
At 1.1 miles we came upon a working drinking fountain, or “water drinker” as the accompanying plaque called it. Nearby, an unmarked path on the left appeared to lead back towards the campground. We continued straight.
As we started climbing uphill again, we spotted a small gopher snake hanging out on the trail ahead of us. He posed nicely for some photographs, and we then gently encouraged him off the trail so he’d have the safety of better camouflage in the surrounding grass.
As we continued up the hill, we began to get some of the promised desert views.
We were also able to spot the white orb of the Laguna Observatory in the north.
Around 1.4 miles, we came upon a “Y” junction where the Desert View Trail split off from the PCT. We turned left to start making our way back towards the campground.
We found a lovely log bench under a shady oak tree. This would be a great out of the way spot to relax for a little while.
The trail wound through more oak and pine forest.
Before long we met a paved road in the campground, and the end of the trail.
The trail ended a fair distance from our starting point, with no real indication of how to get back to the campground entrance. We basically just kept going right until we found ourselves back at the day use parking area. Based on the map it looks like it would be quicker to turn left at the end of the trail and from there follow the road the entrance. It’s a beautiful campground though, so whichever way you go it will be an enjoyable walk.
Directions:
From I-8 east take the Sunrise Highway exit and turn left onto Sunrise Highway (S1). Follow Sunrise Highway for approximately 9.5 miles to the Burnt Rancheria Campground on your right. Turn left at the fee station and follow the road a short ways to the day use parking area on your right. Park in one of the marked “Adventure Pass” parking spots. map
| Total Distance: | 1.7 miles |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
| Total Ascent: | 222 feet |
| Dog Friendly?: | Leashed dogs allowed |
| Bike Friendly?: | Bikes not allowed |
| Facilities: | Water and restrooms at campground |
| Fees/Permits: | Adventure Pass required |
For more information, visit:
Laguna Mountain Recreation Area Map
View route or download GPX from CalTopo
Big Laguna/PCT Loop
Of the many hikes in San Diego we’ve done, this 10 mile loop through the Mount Laguna Recreation Area might just be my favorite. The first half traverses the Big Laguna Trail, which takes you through some beautiful pine tree forests that are becoming so hard to find in San Diego after the many devastating wildfires of the past decade. It passes the wide, open fields of Big Laguna Meadow and the sometimes wet Big Laguna Lake. Eventually it meets up with the Pacific Crest Trail which traverses the boundary of the forested mountains and the arid Anza-Borrego desert below. If you’re lucky enough to hike it at the right time of year (late spring or early summer), you will enjoy colorful displays of wildflowers along the way. It really showcases the wide variety of landscapes in San Diego. Continue reading Big Laguna/PCT Loop
Kwaaymii Point
Kwaaymii Point is a popular hang-gliding and star gazing spot just off of the Sunrise Highway in the Laguna Mountains. While its possible to just drive to Kwaaymii Point, a much more enjoyable adventure can be had by hiking a short stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from the Pioneer Mail Picnic Area. Here, the PCT follows an old stretch of the Sunrise Highway that used to traverse the edge of the mountains before being re-routed to its less exciting present course. This stretch of trail offers breath taking views of Cottonwood Canyon and the Anza-Borrego Desert beyond. Continue reading Kwaaymii Point
Lucky 5/PCT Loop
The Lucky 5 Ranch area is a relatively recent addition to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, thanks to the efforts of the Anza Borrego Foundation. The land lies on the western edge of the park along the Sunrise Highway, so its actually more mountainous than desert. Its location between Anza-Borrego, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, and the Cleveland National Forest makes it an important wildlife corridor. Continue reading Lucky 5/PCT Loop