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…
Related posts:
Noble Canyon Trail – Hiking and Finding Relics of the Past in the Laguna Mountains
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.
Related posts:
Grapevine Mountain Hike – Going Off-Trail from the PCT in Anza Borrego
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.
Related posts:
Pine Mountain Trail: A Summit Adventure Hike in the Laguna Mountains
Distance: 6 miles | Hiking time: 3 hours | Difficulty: 6/10
The hike up Middle Peak in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is like walking through a history lesson of San Diego County’s wildfires. In 2003, the Cedar Fire decimated the park’s population of centuries old sugar pine trees. The effects of the destruction are still clearly visible along every step of the trails surrounding Middle Peak.
Today, the habitat is recovering. Young oak trees and pine saplings are beginning to take hold, as are the manzanita trees that are so prevalent in Southern California. Wildlife is beginning to return to the area as well. Deer and large birds of prey are a common sight on the trails leading up Middle Peak. From what I hear, even the occassional bald eagle makes a stop in Cuyamaca.
Despite the destruction, the views from Middle Peak are still the primary attraction of this hike. The main trails, Milk Ranch Road and Middle Peak Fire Road, are frequently used by both hikers and mountain bikers. The smaller adjoining trails, Sugar Pine Trail and Black Oak Trail, are accessible only on foot and offer a more secluded feel.
Related posts:
My Cold Weather Clothing System Tested on Cuyamaca and Stonewall Peaks in the Snow
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.
Distance: 6 miles | Hiking time: 3 hours | Difficulty: 6/10
Standing at 6512 feet, Cuyamaca Peak holds the top spot on the Sierra Club’s 100 Peaks of San Diego County list, and is officially the second highest point in the county. During the winter, Cuyamaca is one of the few places in San Diego that’s almost guaranteed to get snow. Aside from the views along the way, hiking the paved road to the summit isn’t that noteworthy. But if you don’t mind putting in the work to get there, the views from the summit are better than anywhere in the county.
Related posts:
My Cold Weather Clothing System Tested on Cuyamaca and Stonewall Peaks in the Snow
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?
Related posts:
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
Distance: 7.2 miles | Hiking time: 3.5 hours | Difficulty: 6/10
Overlooking Lake Hodges and located along the Coast to Crest Trail in San Dieguito River Park is Bernardo Mountain. The vast number of wandering trails that wind their way around the lake and over the surrounding hillsides make the park a popular destination for hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers and birdwatchers. Bernardo Mountain is a fun, moderately challenging hike that is sure to please, regardless of your reason for going.
Related posts:
Bernardo Mountain Summit Trail – a Scenic Hike with a View of Beautiful Lake Hodges
Distance: 6.4 miles | Hiking time: 3.5 hours | Difficulty: 6/10
The “short trail” up Iron Mountain is a family friendly hike that will leave you invigorated and inspired. Get started early to beat the crowds, bring plenty of water, and you are certain to embark on a hike that you won’t soon forget.
Related posts:
Iron Mountain Trail Hike: Soaring to New Heights on the “Short” Trail
Distance: 7.25 miles | Hiking time: 4.5 hours | Difficulty: 7/10
Potato Chip Rock, resting near the 2894 ft. summit of Mt. Woodson, attracts people from around the world. It has a celebrity-like status among visiting hikers due to the massive amount of attention it has received in social media over the last few years. Everyone wants a picture taken of them standing atop the iconic rock, and for good reason, they earned the right by simply getting there.
Related posts:
Mt Woodson Trail Hike to Potato Chip Rock: Challenge Yourself and Take a Bite of the Chip
