INDIAN CREEK LOOP REVIEW (8.8 miles) Let's begin with 100% of hikes in Mt. Laguna or that includes the PCT will be an ethereal experience. Many say you can create, shape and mold reality. Others will say manifest and it will come. And then there are some that are just bah humbug. I always revel in God's imagination and creativity when he created these mountains. And then gave the gift of ingenuity to humans to work to create pathways and trails for us to enjoy and simply relish in gratitude and awe the entire hike. I'm a real hiker. Real backpacker. Real camper. And real glamping. I hike 2x a week for more than a decade. This is only to give you perspective of this review. This is my first time doing the full loop that included Pacific Crest Trail,Pine Mountain Road,Indian Creek Trail,and Noble Canyon Trail AKA "Indian Creek Loop." And today was wonky. Some parts were hard, some parts were easy, same parts were as if my body never has done hiking before. It was a doozy. I would likely do this hike again within the next couple of weeks. Because in my imagination, I'm an amazing hiker and that did not show today when I was struggling. I love taking photos and there was about an hour where I was trying to manage my breathing and focus and trek poles that I took no photos. Yep, I let the mountain win, smh. On this day, spectacular hike with alternating elevation, endless greenery, and blooming plants. Walking the legendary PCT, passing the "Canada" sign, and glimpsing Anza Borrego's desert floor was unforgettable. From rocky paths to meadows and mountain views, every turn offered something new. No one on the trail until the final half mile where bikers were on trail. I started at Piney Pines. Next time I'll go counterclockwise. GOOD TO KNOW *Att network excellent reception the entire trail *I felt safe as a solo hiker but I still get the quesies. I carry a few safety thins. Shhh. Don't tell *Hike time: 3 hrs, 3 minutes *90% exposed hike. *At the 4 mile marker, shade, benches and toilets. The toilets are unsanitary. I don't want to vomit and make it worse so I do my thing in nature. *When you start there's a point where you just have to finish *You can break this up to build up your mileage over time THIS HIKE IS NOT FOR: *Newbies, there's elevation involved *Whiners, complainers, or scaredy cats *Those who I have only done Cowles Mountain and think this is the next level "Life can be limited and you miss out. But create your own unlimitedness and you must do this hike." read more

See all

This review is for the Garnet Peak via Pacific Crest Trail which was a 4 mile round trip that took about 2 hours to complete. The trail for the most part was easy to follow and completely exposed to the sun. A good portion of the trail was rocky which could make your foot a bit uncomfortable. There were also a few instances where you could go off trail for a bit to check out the desert views! Short video of the hike for those interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htU3_t3cDMI read more

See all

Garnet Peak was beautiful! The eastern most side of Cleveland National Forest meets the western edge of Anza Borrego Desert. It is a daily short hike at about 1.7 miles one way and only 500' elevation gain from the parking lot. You are amongst the highest peaks in San Diego County and can see the Salton sea from there. In the winter you even get snow! read more

See all

Beautiful hiking trail located in the Cleveland National Forest. This was my first time here and I'm already planning my next trip back (especially since the PCT runs through here). Despite the hot and dry weather the tail was a mix of beautiful fall colors mid-December. The trail was moderate and the views were beautiful. Tips for a successful trip: - wear long pants; shrubs are prickly -buy and adventure pass - parking at the trail head looks like a regular turn out but the trail name is stamped on a rail - bring water - bring snacks to eat at the top - read/leave encouraging notes at the GeoCache box at the top Enjoy! read more

See all

Maybe it's unusual to Yelp about nature, but everyone deserves to know about a little fresh air and natural scenery. Located near Mount Laguna, you can easily make this trek within 1 hour if coming from central San Diego. Parking consists of two turnouts on either side of the road which can fit maybe 5 cars each. You can hike the Noble Canyon Trail and Big Laguna Trail across the street or proceed to a portion of the famous PCT at Penny Pines. Hiking North leads you on the PCT towards Garnet Peak, while going South will eventually take you to Monument Peak. A hike to Garnet Peak is a happy distance at a very easy 4.2 miles roundtrip. The trek up beyond the base is a constant 0.5mi incline and a bit rocky, but definitely doable. I took my senior Lab on this hike and she finished it like a champ (although sore later). We went on a foggy day in the mountains, so we couldn't see much but still caught glimpses of the Anza Borrego and Salton Sea every now and then. Fantastic outing and will return! read more

Pacific Crest Trail At Penny Pines - The Salton Sea through the thick of fog - Hiking Near Me - Pine Valley, California

See all

Hiked Saturday August 15, 2015 Penny Pines to Garnet Peak Mileage: 4.4 miles Time: 2+ hours First off, there is no shade on this trail. NO SHADE AT ALL. Wear plenty of sunblock and bring water! We hiked it in 95 degree weather. It was hot, very hot. Directions: We camped at Laguna Campground, so this hike is just down the street from here. When you come out of Laguna Campground go left, you pass the lookout to the right and keep going. Watch out for the mile markers, once you pass mile 27.5, go a little further and Penny Pines will be on the right. If you go pas mile marker 27, you've gone too far. From what the ranger station told us, you don't need an adventure pass to park on the side of the street. I wasn't too sure, so I still put my year pass on display. Trail: So you do probably a little under 2 miles one way on the PCT and you will get to the Garnet Peak Trail on the right hand side. Once you get to that point, it's pretty much a straight shot up to the peak. It was so hot when we went, I was going so slow! Great views at the top though of Anza Borrego! Not a very long hike, but it's a nice one and it's part of the PCT! read more

See all

Wow. Went on an 11 mile loop that took us through golden fields, past lakes, through snowy meadows, and up and out to a desert overlook, with a view of the Salton Sea. Went on March 1, and I think we probably caught the last snow of the season out there this year. The weather was absolutely perfect- it started out a bit chilly, but walking along for a bit, you warm up and surprise yourself to be in a tank top in the snow and feeling great. This is a great trail to bring dogs on as well- they adore the big wide open fields, taking a few splashes in the lake, and holy moley, dogs love snow! I have never seen dogs go so wild over snow in my life. It's a pretty mellow hike- there definitely is elevation getting up to the desert overlook, but it's such a gradual incline that you don't really notice it too much. We started our hike near the main road at Penny Pines, bypassed the camping area, and wound our way about to the Pacific Crest Trail to the overlook point. We also took a swing by Foster's Point, which also offers great views of the desert. This part of the trail was truly breathtaking. The desert stretches on for miles, and the golden sand and dust contrasts intensely with the bright, clear blue sky. Great place to bring your camera. You could see Garnet Peak from where we were, and we considered checking it out as well, but in the end, 11 miles was enough for one day for us. Going at a relaxed pace with lots of stops to enjoy the views and fuel up with snacks and water, we hiked for about 6 hours. Definitely bring hearty snacks and plenty of water-- you will need sunscreen and a hat for sure, sunglasses highly recommended, especially if there is still snow on the ground. Wear comfortable hiking shoes, and take a look at the map before you head out on your trail, as there are lots of possible trails to take, and you could easily get lost if you're not paying attention to where you're going. Buy an adventure pass for parking- it's only $5 a day, or something like $30 for an annual pass. Definitely one of the best hikes I've done in San Diego. It is absolutely worth the drive to get out there and hike! Do not miss this one! read more

Started at penny lane trail head and hiked to garnet peak and back . Some of the most amazing views and thousand feet drop offs :) We did this on a Sunday in October , weather was perfect and it took us 3 hours because we like to play around and investigate everything . Had a great snack break at the top of garnet peak , which is a little bit of a climb up at 5,000 ft elev. but nothing harsh. Get your pass at the Mt Laguna lodge before you hike $5 read more

See all

3.5 stars The PCT at Penny Pines is one of the better hikes in San Diego. I highly recommend taking the trail to the top of Garnet Peak. Once you summit, you'll be treated to amazing views of the underlying desert & much more. I went on a Saturday morning in May & it was fairly crowded- especially at the top where there is only a small amount of room to sit and relax. Also, I would recommend combining this hike with another one in the Laguna Mountain area as I found the jaunt to Garnet Peak to be on the quick side. If you like to hike, you will enjoy PCT at Penny Pines and Garnet Peak. read more

Awesome hike. Although you do need to buy a forest adventure pass...the nearest one to the trail is at the lodge about 5 miles before you get to the trail head. Otherwise you'll get ticketed by the rangers (we almost made that mistake). But definitely the quietness of this trail is something you can't find everywhere around here. read more

Amazing hike and unlike many in San Diego, there are not truckloads of people on the trail. You may run into one or two who are beginning the PCT journey which is super interesting. The trail meets them about 50 miles into their 1300 mi journey south to north. read more

See all

This is breathtaking. The Pacific Crest Trail itself is awe inspiring in its entirety, but this section on Mount Laguna is spectacular. You can travel North or South (though I recommend North) and have spectacular panoramic views of the desert below. The trail is exceptionally well maintained, and rises and falls gently for a about 13 miles north before it descends into the Anza Borrego State Park below. The views from the Penny Pines trailhead are of Anza to the East. You can see Split Mountain, the Vallecito Mountains, and though they are far away, the Carrizo Badlands. On a clear day the Salton Sea is visible as well. There is a potable water source on the west side of Sunrise Highway here, as well as many trails on that side as well (Laguna Meadow and the top of the Nobel Canyon Trail). You will need an adventure pass to park here, but the turnouts on both sides of the Highway are large and accomodate many vehicles. Adventure Passes are available at the Laguna Mountain Store and are good for an entire year. Quite a deal if you take advantage of it. read more

Phenomenal hike, definitely go, it is a true hidden gem! Very manageable drive from San Diego or Orange County. Incredible views in every direction, and in particular of the desert floor below (few thousand foot drop offs). It is an "out and back" hike, so feel free to hike out as far as you'd like before returning. On the way in, it is easy to pass by the trailhead at Penny Pines. Get ready to pull over and park on the side of the road when you reach mile marker 27 on Sunrise Highway (note: it is a lot less than 27 miles once you get off the 8 at Sunrise Highway). Pick up your $5 adventure pass at the Laguna Mountain Lodge (will be on your left as you go through the mountain "village" of Mt. Laguna). Make sure to hydrate well, the altitude is around 5,000 feet, but did not bother us at all. The trail is fairly easy - gradual inclines and descents. Would highly recommend checking out Garnet Peak, it is a few hundred feet of elevation gain from the main Pacific Crest Trail. Great opportunity to take pictures up there. On a Saturday afternoon in early September it was not crowded whatsoever, we only saw five people the entire day. We will definitely go back again soon! read more

Pacific Crest Trail At Penny Pines - Hiking Near Me - Pine Valley, California

See all

We did Garnet Peak trail hike last Saturday, Nov. 15th, 2014. The length and difficulty are just right for a big group with kids (11, 13), the view is fantastic! The kids have a lot of fun playing around on big rocks, and because there are no trees block the view, the grown ups can spot the kids easily on the trail :) The most memorable thing is, the lady who works in the visitor center lent us 2 jackets for the day, we did not have enough jackets. We felt the warm welcoming and kindness. read more

Love this hike! This is called "Garnet Peak Hike" at the trailhead and it's only like a mile up but it's worth checking out even though it's short because the view at the top is truely beautiful. One side is Mount Laguna mountains with all the green trees and the other side is desert. We had a little picnic up top and there weren't too many people there. Will be back soon! read more

Fabulous hike. Amazing views on a clear day of Anzo Borrego. Buy an adventure pass ($5) at the visitor center. To do about a 10 mile hike add in the Laguna Trail. After putting in the hard work, on your way back to SD, stop in Alpine at the Alpine Brewery for some great BBQ and beers! Pure "Hoppiness" :) read more

This is a great, relatively easy hike with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains, desert, and Salton Sea. You don't need an Adventure pass if you're parking at Penny Pines; however, I would recommend picking up a $2 map at the Mount Laguna Lodge Store. You'll see the parking lot area on both sides of the road ~4 miles from the Lodge Store (look for the cattle guard). Tack on the 1/2 mile climb to Garnet Peak and then continue along the PCT to the Pioneer Mail picnic area. There's another restroom area (nothing fancy--just pit toilets) and picnic tables. Takes approximately 4 hours total for the entire hike (7 miles + Garnet Peak) if you're walking at a brisk pace. In late October, you can feel the crisp mountain air, which is a welcome change from the summer record heat. As others have mentioned, I would make sure to bring hiking boots, layers of clothing, sunglasses/hat, sunscreen, water & snack food. read more

So close to San Diego but it feels like you are really in nature. The hike is fun but open to any skill level. My dog loved it!

Someone messaged me saying the $5 pass is no longer needed... check into it before you go!

You do NOT need an adventure pass to hike here. Thanks to a lawsuit by a hikers group, the government can no longer charge people just to hike in the Cleveland National Forest. You can also look this up on the US department of agriculture website. The sign citing the adventure pass requirement has been removed from the parking area as well. The trail was easy to find, and didn't really branch off, so easy to stay on. I took the Garnett Peak ascent, maybe another half mile to the summit, pretty much all uphill. Great hike, great views of the area, even without taking the GP summit trail. If you are leery of heights as I am, the first section where you can see the desert is a bit more narrow than the rest, as it goes along a ridge with a long dropoff. But what's a hike without a little adventure. Went out Sunday afternoon around 2-4, didn't see anyone else until I was almost back. Was a hotter day in town, around 80, but with the wind, and later day sun, not too hot. Great hike! read more

Awesome hike! So may different trails to take!

Went on a Tuesday in mid Nov. A bit windy, but certainly not uncomfortable. Used the PCT then the spur trail to Garnet Peak, which is a must. The drop offs from the top are breathtaking. The top most rock had bird guano, most likely from a vulture, and you know those birds only like the top. Saw two deer (yea). returned down to the Penny Pines start using the trail marked "Sunrise Highway", which was fast, but had to back track to my car. It is a great quick hike and challenging enough. read more