Tag: Laguna Mountain Recreation Area

Monument Peak

So, I had planned to try fully summiting The Thimble today, but the weather forecast was crazy windy with up to 50 mph gusts. So, instead, I decided to summit several peaks out in the Lagunas. First up was Monument Peak.

This was a 2.87-mile hike to the peak. It was windy! I knew I made the right choice not to attempt The Thimble. I did find the tiny benchmark and left a new register in the can.

Unlike the first time, I had no route-finding issues coming back. Coming back down I had a nice chat with two European PCT hikers. Another four hikers passed me on their NOBO journey. Soon I was back at the car and off to peak #2, Garnet Peak.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest. 

Manza Benchmark

Looking to summit another peak in the Lagunas before any weather hit, so I opted to hike out to Manza Benchmark.  This time I was joined by my good friend James. We parked just off Sunrise Highway, right near the Sunset trailhead. We followed the main trail for a bit before locating a use trail heading across the meadow.

The trees were still showing some bit of fall on them. We knew that the trail was going to descend into a drainage area, before climbing another ridge to the actual summit. Carefully checking our maps and route, we navigated down through the brush. Bits of poison oak were spotted along the sides of the trail, so some extra care was taken as we began ascending.

Once we reached the ridge, we began passing through thickets of manzanita and over several false summits, until at the end of the ridge our goal was sighted.

With some minor rock scrambling, we found the benchmark and signed the register. As we rested, the views were surprisingly nice. After soaking up some sun and the quiet, we began our trek back to the trailhead. We again were careful as we worked our way down the drainage ravine, as it was a steep descent. Soon we found ourselves back at the car and off for a cold beer at Alpine Brewery and a tasty burrito.

A few months later, I was hiking with Derek up to Whale Peak, and our conversation turned to what my favorite peak had been so far. Although I had some really enjoyable summits out in Anza-Borrego, the summit was my answer. It was a nice blend of scenery, a bit of challenge, and adventure.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest. 

Sheephead Mountain

On the advice from another 100 Peak Challenger, she suggested that I might want to attempt this peak in case the access road to the trailhead is closed by the Forest Service. So, with that Sheephead Mountain became my next peak to summit. The trailhead is about a mile down Kitchen Creek road just off Sunrise Highway. The first part of the trail gently headed west among the pines.

But before long, the trail turned south and down through a ravine. Once at the bottom, you will intersect a dirt road. I continued following this road southward through a small valley. The trail to the peak skirts very near some private property, so I was on high alert for the proper route. It was still hunting season, I did not want to cause an issue.

So I followed a small use trail to the north of the road that ran parallel to it. Checking my map and GPS, I found about where the trail should be to begin the ascent. It took some hunting, but I found the faint trail that quickly led up the mountain.

I pushed my way through the growth and eventually reached the summit. Although not as windy as Derek’s summit, there was a bit of a breeze. 

I found the benchmark, but no register. I work my way back down the mountain with little trouble. Funny, how it is so much easier to see the route on the descent…

I missed the turnoff from the road back to the trail up the ravine, so my GPS track has an extra leg on it. Soon, I found myself back at the car and heading home.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest. 

Wooded Hill

My third summit of the day was the nature trail of Wooded Hill. I have been trying to tack this peak on to the end of my other hikes in the Lagunas, but time constraints always seemed to nix it. The trail is not too far off the 8 along Sunrise Highway.

As I pulled into the parking area, there was one family getting ready to hit the trail as well. If you are looking for a fun mountain hike with the kids, this one should be on your shortlist.

The trail is easy to follow, quite the change from the day’s first two hikes. Along the route, there are numbered markers that you can use the brochure to learn more about the plants and wildlife. Once at the high point, again you are rewarded with some lovely views.

I continued the loop and quickly found myself back at the car.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest. 

Garnet Mountain

Our second summit of the day. This summit is just a short walk from Kwaaymii Point. Ben came along the trail with me but opted not to venture through the brush to the summit.

The winds had picked up and it was fun feeling them race up from the desert floor. There is no benchmark here, but a register can is tucked in the rocks.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest. 

Pine Mountain

This was another two summit day. First up was a hike out to Pine Mountain. My son Ben agreed to tag along. We head out toward the summit, talking about his new role on the USY Board, what his last summer at Camp Ramah would be like, and his final two years of high school. All in all, some nice father-son time.

The actual summit is not easily reachable, so we settled for the trail junction as our ‘summit’.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest. 

Garnet Peak

My second summit of the day (Monument Peak was the first). Just up the road from the Monument Peak Trailhead is the trailhead to Garnet Peak. If you are looking for a longer hiking day, you could hike between them.

The trailhead is denoted by a metal pole, then heads off across a lovely forest meadow. After a bit, you will intersect with the PCT. It is here that the climb will begin in earnest.

The trail works its way up the east and then north side of the peak, all the while your lungs remind you that you are not a sea level.

Once at the summit, you are rewarded with a sweeping view of Anza-Borrego.

On the way back I saw some 20 hikers making their way northward on the PCT for a day hike. We chatted for a bit and then went our separate ways.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest. 

Monument Peak

This was the first of two summits this day (the other being Garnet Peak). Starting from Sunrise Highway, I quickly noted that the rains from the winter had left the trail a tad overgrown as a made my way across the forest floor. The trail then joins with the PCT for a bit, before breaking off to the summit and the communication towers.

The views from the Lagunas are always so impressive. The expanse of Anza-Borrego is stunning. I found the marker and began to head back to the car.

You might notice on the map, a rouge section of red. Remember, how I said the grasses were a bit high, and the trail was a touch overgrown? Well, I missed the turn and was following the slightly more used trail. I decided to double back and return along the same route. Mostly since I did not want to walk along the road to the car.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.