Laguna Mountain Recreation Area

  The Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is located Descanso District of the Cleveland National Forest just 50 miles east of San Diego.  It was designated a National Recreation Area by Presidential proclamation in 1926. Most of the trails are very nice buffed single track with picturesque scenery.  The trail system out here is for a great place to introduce beginners to "real" trails.   Additionally the trail system is great for connecting other trails together for some truly epic rides.  The Laguna/Noble route, and the Cuyamaca to Noble route are the two prominent ones.  

Click on the image to the left for a map of the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.  

For a higher resolution version of the map click here (1MB)

Download the TOPO! file here

 

Hazards:  This place is hot in the summer.  Watch out for other trail users as this is a popular area.  

Directions: There are a couple of ways to check out the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.  They mostly involve an out and back ride on the the Big Laguna Trail (aka BLT). Starting from the south end of the area is more of an intermediate ride, while starting from the north end is better for novice rider.  If do the entire route shown on the map, out and back, it is about 24 miles with the more difficult sections in the southern part of the area.   So if your a novice rider start at the north end.

To start from the South End of the Recreation Area: From San Diego, take I-8 east 45 miles to the off ramp for Sunrise Highway. Take Sunrise Sunrise Highway and go up the mountain.  About 1/2 mile after entering the Laguna Recreation Area you will see a Wildlife Information Kiosk off the right side of the road.  Park somewhere along the side of the road here.

A National Forest Adventure Pass is required  

To start from North End of the Recreation Area:  Follow the same direction above but continue on Sunrise Highway past the Kiosk for about 6 miles to the Penny Pines/Noble Canyon Parking area.

A National Forest Adventure Pass is required  

Ride Report: 

    This ride was done as part of a combination Laguna and Noble Canyon combination ride which I describe at the bottom.  We rode the entire Laguna route described here, but instead of coming back we connected with Noble Canyon.  Here we are parked on the side of Sunrise Highway by the first wildlife kiosk on the right.    

 

Just up the road from the wildlife kiosk there is an old paved road off to the left.  (I think there is a gate with a "bike-around" across it).  Head down this way.   The road quickly crumbles away and below long it bends to the right and follows along Los Rasalles Ravine as you start a very gentle climb.  (My route description through this area is a little shaky, but the route on the map will get you there)  After climbing for a while you will see a well used single track off to your right.  Take this single track.  It is smooth but your climbing efforts will intensify a little.   This single track works its way up and around a hill.  It will eventually join up with a double track at the apex of a turn (on the double track)  You will take double track straight/left (uphill).  (This double track is show as "Old County Road" on the map.)  This double track quickly narrows as you work your way towards Los Gatos Ravine.  Near here you the trail will cut through a meadow that offers some stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests.  

       

After some cruising through the trees for a while you come out in the Laguna Meadow proper. 

The Laguna Meadow

The trail is well defined as it skirts along the meadow we did a little side loop (Lightning Ridge) that shortly brought us back to the main meadow were we continued along the Big Laguna Trail.

Another meadow pan shot.

       

Eventually the Big Laguna trail leaves the meadow and weaves through the pine trees.  After going through a horse gate you join up with the Noble Canyon trail.  About 75 yards up the trail to your right is Sunrise Highway and the upper trailhead for Noble Canyon.   You will have around 12 miles of riding under your belt at this point.

	Q: Anybody know what critter is doing this ?
	A: I finally got an answer to question from a website reader in the know.  Woodpeckers make these holes an then jam the acorns in the hole as a way to store them up for the winter.

 

The Penny Pines/Upper Noble Canyon trailhead parking area.   There is a water faucet beside the trail just below the trail head.  Make sure your water is topped off before you head back. 

 

If you cross sunrise highway there is a quick 200 yard hike from the upper trailhead over to the Pacific Crest Trail 
which offers a stunning view of the Anza-Borrego Desert below.

Laguna to Noble Combination Ride

Read my Noble Canyon review then you can use the map and profile below.  It is technically difficult with narrow single track, gnarly rocks and tight switchbacks.  Combining these two areas gets you some nice cross country riding coupled with the demanding thrill of a technical downhill ride.  You will need two cars to do this ride as it is a point-to-point. Simply do the Laguna Ride starting from the south end and then instead of going back the by you came take Noble Canyon into Pine Valley where your other car waits.

Here is the map and elevation profile for the Laguna to Noble Canyon version of this ride.  

Download the TOPO! file here

 

Hazards:  This place is hot in the summer.   Technical single track with some very nasty rocks  all over the place. 

Directions: From San Diego, take I-8 east to the off ramp for Pine Valley. Exit the highway and turn left.  Travel north for .3 miles to Old Highway 80.  Turn right and travel about .3 miles and you will see the General Store on your left.  Park the shuttle car in the parking lot.  With the other vehicle, continue on east on Old Highway 80 to the intersection on Sunrise Highway.  Turn left onto Surise Highway and go up the mountain.  About 1/2 mile after entering the Laguna Recreation Area you will see a Wildlife Information Kiosk off the right side of the road.  Park somewhere along the side of the road here. 

2005 Update

The Laguna Mountains have been exceptionally pretty this year with all of the winter rains that we had. Here are a few shots taken in July of 2005.

Big Laguna Lake (It was dry last year)