Big Laguna for little legs

This is a short, easy stroll through an open Jeffrey pine and black-oak woodland with stands of old-growth chaparral to a peaklet with outstanding views of the desert and Laguna and Cuyamaca mountains. Although Monument Peak is not very prominent when viewed from the Sunrise Highway, at 6270 feet, it is the fourth highest point in San Diego County. It is especially impressive when viewed from Mason Valley in the Anza-Borrego desert, only a few miles east but nearly 5000 feet lower.

Begin hiking on the signed Big Laguna Trail heading north, northeast, away from the Sunrise Highway as it goes through stands of tall Jeffrey pines and large black oaks with an occasional ponderosa or Coulter pine. It is an open forest, or woodland, with patches of annual grasses and abundant wildflowers. In season, these include phacelia, San Bernardino aster, yarrow, slender sunflower, and rockrose. The Big Laguna Trail ends in half a mile when it reaches the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Go left or north on the PCT for another 0.38 mile. Although there has been only a minor change in altitude, this short distance leads into dense chaparral with some quite large manzanita, scrub oaks, and mountain mahogany that have grown into small trees.

At 0.9 mile from your vehicle, the PCT takes a sharp left turn. At this point, a use trail continues straight ahead where Monument Peak, crowned with microwave antennae, can easily be seen. Follow the use trail up the shallow ravine to a firebreak bulldozed along the desert divide ridge. Continue up the firebreak toward the microwave towers to a paved road, which you can follow to the peak.

This appears to be a busy communications area. In addition to four clusters of antennae, there also is a laser facility and a helicopter pad. The road is not open to motorized vehicles other than those for the workers. While hikers can explore the peak, they must keep off the antennae and away from the laser targets. The views are the main reason to visit this peak, and they can be spectacular. Once you have finished exploring the peak, return the way you came.