Monument Peak, Garnet Peak, Big Laguna Lake Loop in Cleveland National Forest, CA

Hike Monument Peak, Garnet Peak, Big Laguna Lake Loop Cleveland National Forest, CA

Class 1 14.6 miles 2200 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Apr 13, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Located on the eastern edge of Cleveland National Forest, the region surrounding the tiny dwelling of Mount Laguna overlooks the Colorado Desert. It's a forested and gorgeous landscape elevated from the heat below. The Pacific Crest Trail was planned well here, creating a great section that follows the rim for many miles. It felt silly to hike Monument Peak and Garnet Peak as short out-and-back hikes when I could instead enjoy this gorgeous stretch of the PCT. However, once traversing between the two peaks I'd have to return the same way, less ideal. Fortunately, there's a great trail system in the vicinity of Big Laguna Lake. This addition would tack on only a few miles to make a full loop, which made sense to me!

I parked where I did because I wanted to do Monument Peak first, but you could also park at the Garnet Peak trailhead here (32.91154, -116.46123). I started up the Big Laguna Trail, which met with the PCT shortly after. I was only on the PCT for a short time before a social trail forked toward the summit of Monument Peak. The trail was a bit steeper than the rest of the hike would turn out to be, and the views were excellent. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but the rim was more impressive than I anticipated.

Rather than backtrack to the PCT, I continued along another social trail following the rim and up to a lump dubbed Hays Peak. Just a short add-on and with great views, I was happy with the decision. The social trail became more faint on the northwest side of Hays Peak, but soon I was back on the PCT. I followed it for a few miles, greeting the many through-hikers heading north and not envying their heavy packs. On the way I checked out Foster Point, a nice lookout spot with a peak identifier landmark.

The PCT parallels the Sunrise Highway for a time before ascending toward Garnet Peak, a section I found to be the most beautiful portion of the hike. Garnet Peak's cliffy form poked up ahead as Monument Peak fell behind in the distance. I took the Garnet Peak spur trail to reach its summit, but couldn't hang out due to some very intense wind. I backtracked along the Garnet Peak Trail to reach Sunrise Highway.

The first leg of my loop done, it was time to leave the sweeping desert views and exposed chaparral rim and now enter a more forested setting to check out Big Laguna Lake. Following the road led me to the Penny Pines Trailhead, where I picked up the Noble Canyon Trail for a short time. Keeping left at a junction with the wide Big Laguna Trail, I gained some gradual elevation through the forest. The trail then descended slowly into the basin housing Big Laguna Lake. Initially the basin was a wide meadow, but later on I reached the northern edge of the lake itself.

The trail followed the eastern perimeter of the lake basin for a few miles until reaching its southern end. A confusing trail junction leads east, sticking along the Big Laguna Trail. High rains this year meant I had to hike through a boggy mess, but normally I assume this is more of a pretty meadow section. The Big Laguna Trail had a lot of nice variety here as the meadow faded into forest. The trail crossed over a couple of creeks, followed a dirt road for a short time, and otherwise just wandered up through the hills and back to the trailhead where I'd parked my car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Monument Peak
6271 ft
351 rise
2
Hays Peak
6160 ft
80 rise
3
Foster Point
5640 ft
40 rise
4
Garnet Peak
5880 ft
440 rise

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Starting from the Big Laguna Trailhead.
Starting from the Big Laguna Trailhead.
Monument Peak first, seen top left. The trail met the PCT for a short time.
Monument Peak first, seen top left. The trail met the PCT for a short time.
I left the PCT to head up a nice social trail toward Monument Peak.
I left the PCT to head up a nice social trail toward Monument Peak.
Monument Peak ahead.
Monument Peak ahead.
Monument Peak summit, view southeast along the rim.
Monument Peak summit, view southeast along the rim.
Monument Peak summit, view northwest toward Garnet Peak, seen on the right.
Monument Peak summit, view northwest toward Garnet Peak, seen on the right.
Onward along the rim to Hays Peak rather than backtrack to the PCT.
Onward along the rim to Hays Peak rather than backtrack to the PCT.
Hays Peak, view back toward Monument Peak.
Hays Peak, view back toward Monument Peak.
Down from Hays Peak on a faint social trail to rejoin the PCT.
Down from Hays Peak on a faint social trail to rejoin the PCT.
On the PCT, view back toward Hays Peak.
On the PCT, view back toward Hays Peak.
Along the rim as I follow the PCT for a few miles.
Along the rim as I follow the PCT for a few miles.
Signed turn-off for Foster Point.
Signed turn-off for Foster Point.
Foster Point ahead, a nice view with a peak identifier.
Foster Point ahead, a nice view with a peak identifier.
Foster Point, view back toward Hays Peak.
Foster Point, view back toward Hays Peak.
Back on the PCT, Garnet Peak seen center.
Back on the PCT, Garnet Peak seen center.
The PCT wanders along the rim.
The PCT wanders along the rim.
Image 16 from gallery
Ascending toward Garnet Peak along the PCT.
Ascending toward Garnet Peak along the PCT.
View back toward Foster Point (left).
View back toward Foster Point (left).
Image 19 from gallery
The PCT continues along the rim.
The PCT continues along the rim.
View back toward Foster Point.
View back toward Foster Point.
Garnet Peak coming into view ahead.
Garnet Peak coming into view ahead.
Garnet Peak ahead! The PCT wraps around its base on the left.
Garnet Peak ahead! The PCT wraps around its base on the left.
Junction with the Garnet Peak Trail.
Junction with the Garnet Peak Trail.
View back along the Garnet Peak Trail.
View back along the Garnet Peak Trail.
The Garnet Peak Trail makes a nice ascending wrap up the west slope of the peak.
The Garnet Peak Trail makes a nice ascending wrap up the west slope of the peak.
Garnet Peak summit ahead.
Garnet Peak summit ahead.
Garnet Peak summit, view northwest along the rim.
Garnet Peak summit, view northwest along the rim.
Garnet Peak, view along my rim traverse back toward Monument Peak (top left).
Garnet Peak, view along my rim traverse back toward Monument Peak (top left).
I headed to the road via the Garnet Peak Trail. This is a view back toward Garnet Peak.
I headed to the road via the Garnet Peak Trail. This is a view back toward Garnet Peak.
After hiking along the paved road for a bit, I reached the Penny Pines Trailhead and followed the Noble Canyon Trail a short time.
After hiking along the paved road for a bit, I reached the Penny Pines Trailhead and followed the Noble Canyon Trail a short time.
Then I took the Big Laguna Trail, which ascended slowly. You can see Garnet Peak in the distance along the way.
Then I took the Big Laguna Trail, which ascended slowly. You can see Garnet Peak in the distance along the way.
Along the big Laguna Trail as it heads up and over a lump and into the basin of Big Laguna Lake.
Along the big Laguna Trail as it heads up and over a lump and into the basin of Big Laguna Lake.
Entering the basin that houses Big Laguna Lake. The northern reaches are mostly meadow.
Entering the basin that houses Big Laguna Lake. The northern reaches are mostly meadow.
Gorgeous meadow!
Gorgeous meadow!
View back as I hike along the Big Laguna Trail.
View back as I hike along the Big Laguna Trail.
Portions of the trail head through forest, but it mostly just heads along the meadow perimeter.
Portions of the trail head through forest, but it mostly just heads along the meadow perimeter.
The northern reaches of Big Laguna Lake.
The northern reaches of Big Laguna Lake.
Another shot back toward the sweeping meadow.
Another shot back toward the sweeping meadow.
Approaching Big Laguna Lake.
Approaching Big Laguna Lake.
Image 41 from gallery
The trail alongside Big Laguna Lake.
The trail alongside Big Laguna Lake.
Image 43 from gallery
I followed the Big Laguna Trail east and away from the lake.
I followed the Big Laguna Trail east and away from the lake.
Entering meadows, boggy during my visit.
Entering meadows, boggy during my visit.
Nice light on the meadows.
Nice light on the meadows.
A creek crossing.
A creek crossing.
The Big Laguna Trail ascends through forest after leaving the meadows.
The Big Laguna Trail ascends through forest after leaving the meadows.
A short section along a dirt road. The trail is well-marked.
A short section along a dirt road. The trail is well-marked.
Final bit of light ascending through forest before the Big Laguna Trail descends to the trailhead where I parked.
Final bit of light ascending through forest before the Big Laguna Trail descends to the trailhead where I parked.

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