Monument Peak Hike

Monument Peak is a 3-mile hike in the Laguna Mountains just two hours northeast of downtown San Diego. This hike provides a glance into the great ecological diversity of San Diego County. The trail begins in a cool plateau forest ecotone, and it slowly ascends to the summit through a pine forest that in turn gradually fades to chaparral. At the peak hikers are rewarded with panoramic views as the mountainous landscape sharply descends into the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. On a clear day the view stretches as far as the Salton Sea.

To get there, begin hiking east on the Big Laguna Trail at mile 25.2 along the Sunrise Highway. In around a half-mile, turn left onto the Pacific Crest Trail. In approximately another half-mile, keep right at the fork to follow a trail through the manzanita forest. Soon after, the path widens and turns into a gravel road that ascends to the summit.