Cleveland National Forest
12 miles
See Photos
This is a great hike in the Laguna Mountains in Cleveland National Forest. It is about 12 miles and took me around five hours, though it could probably take anywhere between 4 and 7 hours, depending on how fast you walk.
To get started, park at the Penny Pines parking area just south of the 27.5 mile marker on the Sunrise Highway. I started out by heading east on the Noble Canyon Trail, but you could certainly do the loop in reverse. Follow the Noble Canyon Trail for a few miles, then go north on the Indian Creek Trail, then Northeast on the Pine Mountain Trail. In these areas there are some spectacular views, right where the Indian Creek Trail meets the Pine Mountain Trail, you can see for miles in every direction. If you look west you can see Cuyamaca Peak, and beyond that down to the ocean on a clear day.
Keep following the trails and at about the seven mile mark you will cross the Sunrise Highway where you then meet the Pacific Crest Trail, and more spectacular views, this time of the desert and even the Salton Sea to the east.
This is probably one of the most enjoyable hikes I've done, and wasn't too difficult, but enough elevation change to feel like you did some climbing.
View from Noble Canyon Trail
Great view of Cuyamaca Peak from Indian Creek Trail
Looking southeast
Looking southeast
Looking north from Pacific Crest Trail
View of desert to the east from Pacific Crest Trail
Canyon from Pacific Crest Trail - Barely see Laguna Observatory upper left
Another canyon photo - Laguna Observatory upper left
