Noble Canyon Trail is a popular hiking trail located in the beautiful Laguna Mountains. The trail is known for its steep and rugged terrain, making it a challenging and exciting hike for outdoor enthusiasts…
trail running
Noble Canyon Trail in the Laguna Mountains East of San Diego
Distance: 10 – 14 miles | Hiking time: 5-8 hours | Difficulty: 7/10
The Noble Canyon Trail is located in the beautiful Laguna Mountains. Known for its steep and rugged terrain, this trail is a favorite among hikers looking for a challenging and rewarding experience. The Penny Pines trailhead is located just off the Sunrise Highway…
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Noble Canyon Trail – Hiking and Finding Relics of the Past in the Laguna Mountains
Hauser Canyon Trail
Distance: 13.5 miles | Hiking time: 8 hours | Difficulty: 8/10
The Hauser Canyon Trail hike takes you along a section of the PCT south of Lake Morena and past Morena Butte. Most of the trail is well traveled, though in the lower portion of the hike within the canyon the trail can get overgrown and difficult…
Grapevine Mountain Hike
Distance:6.25 miles | Hiking time:4-5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10
Grapevine Mountain is a prominent mountain located in northeastern San Diego County about 12 miles east of Julian in the Anza Borrego Desert.
The hike from the trailhead takes you along a cactus-strewn section of the PCT. Making the summit will require a little route-finding skill and a lot of off trail travel, including some rock 3 and 4 rock scrambling and bushwhacking through fields of cactus and thorny things. Notable sights from the summit include views of Mt. San Jacinto, the Superstition Mountains, Granite Peak, and Cuyamaca Peak.
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Grapevine Mountain Hike – Going Off-Trail from the PCT in Anza Borrego
Bell Bluff Trail: Adventures in Off-trail Bushwhacking and Scrambling
Distance: 7.2 miles | Hiking time: 4-5 hours | More trail info. Most of the trails I’ve hit recently, including Middle Peak, Pine Mountain, Lawson and Gaskill
Bell Bluff Hike
Distance:7.2 miles | Hiking time:4-5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10
Bell Bluff is one of several prominent peaks located around the town of Alpine, Ca. The trail leading to Bell Bluff starts in a quiet neighborhood where it crosses the Sweetwater River before leading you up and out of the canyon. The hike to Bell Bluff is relatively easy and the trail is well-traveled and good for hiking and trail running.
The summit of Bell Bluff is accessed by way of a small trail that leads you up the western face of the peak. Getting to the top will require a steel will, some good hiking shoes and a willingness to do some light bushwhacking and rock scrambling. Take care when attempting to summit, however, because you are exposed in some areas of the climb. A fall could be serious, and this hike should not be attempted by people who are inexperienced, improperly prepared, or not physically fit.
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Bell Bluff Trail: Adventures in Off-trail Bushwhacking and Scrambling
Garnet Peak Trail
Distance:2.4 miles | Hiking time:1.5 hours | Difficulty: 5/10
Garnet Peak is located just off the Pacific Coast Trail on the northeastern edge of the Laguna Mountains. At 5900’ in elevation, it sits at number seven on the Sierra Club’s list of the 100 highest peaks in San Diego County.
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Garnet Peak Trail – Catch a Sunrise on the Summit in the Laguna Mountains
Pine Mountain Trail: A Summit Adventure Hike in the Laguna Mountains
Pine Mountain Loop
Distance: 10 miles | Hiking time: 5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10
Pine Mountain Loop is a fun, scenic hike that uses a series of connecting trails and fire roads to circle around, and eventually past the summit of Pine Mountain. The route is frequented by hikers and mountain bikers and offers views of Cuyamaca Peak, Middle Peak, Stonewall Peak and more. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a short hike off trail to the summit for a secluded picnic in a pine tree forest.
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Pine Mountain Trail: A Summit Adventure Hike in the Laguna Mountains
Los Penasquitos Canyon East Approach
Distance: 6.4 miles | Hiking time: 3 hours | Difficulty: 4/10
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve is centrally located in San Diego and is easily accessible from the 805, 15 and 56 freeways. The focal point of the canyon is Penasquitos Creek, which runs the length of the preserve. A little over 3 miles west of the Black Mountain Road trailhead there is a quaint, quiet spot with a waterfall, perfect for a picnic lunch.
Trails are abundant on both sides of the creek and there are several creek crossings, including a couple of bridges. Hike as little or as much of the trail as you like. This suggested 6.4 mile route is just one of many possible longer or shorter routes you may choose to take along the creek.
South Fortuna Peak
Distance: 4.5 miles | Hiking time: 3 hours | Difficulty: 6/10
South Fortuna Trail is best known for the wooden stairs that lead you up the final ascent to the summit, but there’s so much more to love about this trail. If you’re in search of a fun and diverse hike with an abundance of scenery and a few worthy challenges, then the hike to South Fortuna Peak will not disappoint. Oh, and did I mention that the views from the summit of South Fortuna Peak are spectacular?
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Cowles Mountain Trail Hike: Rewarding Views are Worth the Challenge
Kwaay Paay Peak Hike: A Short, but Challenging Hike Through a Manzanita Forest to One of San Diego’s Highest Peaks
Pyles Peak in Mission Trails – a Little Known Hidden Gem
South Fortuna Trail Hike to North & South Fortuna Peaks
Take on the Mission Trails 5-Peak Challenge