Distance: 4 miles (one way; from junction with Noble Canyon Trail and the W. boundary of Laguna Recreation Area)
Hiking time: 2 hours
Users: Hikers, equestrian, mountain bikes
Elevation gain/loss: 650ft loss
Difficulty: hard
Best time of year: year-round
Potable water: no
Access points:
1. Penny Pines trailhead (mile marker 27.3 on Sunrise Highway)
2. Pioneer Mail trailhead (mile marker 29.3 on Sunrise Highway)
Description:
This is a delightful "linker" trail, that provides a great way to put several
interesting and relatively long loop hikes together. Starting at Penny Pines,
follow the Noble Canyon Trail for 2.4 miles, then turn right onto Indian Creek
Trail. Descend west through pines, oaks and high chaparral almost one mile. Here,
the broad, shallow Indian Creek Canyon comes into view. Indian Creek carries a
bit of water most of the year, and small herds of cattle grazed in the tall grasses
of the meadow during the summer. After the trail crosses the creek and ascends
1 mile across an east-facing slope devoid of trees to arrive at Champagne
Pass, which marks the halfway point. At 0.10 mi further, the trail intersects
the Pine Mountain Trail.
You now have three options for your return trip.
First, continue on Indian
Creek Trail for 2 miles until it ends at the western boundary of the Laguna Recreation
Area, and then return as you hiked in (total 12 miles round trip). Second option,
turn right (east) on Pine Mountain Trail and follow it for 2.5 miles to Sunrise
Highway just N of the Pioneer Mail Trailhead (mile marker 29.3). To make a loop
back to your car, cross through Pioneer Mail picnic area to pick up the Pacific
Crest Trail on east side and proceed S for 4 miles to arrive at your starting
point at the Penny Pines Trailhead (total is 11 miles round trip). Note: mountain
bikers, use Sunrise Highway to return, instead of the PCT. A third alternative
is to proceed W on Indian Creek Trail and link up with the Harvey Moore Trail
in Cuyamaca State Park to Sweetwater Bridge on Highway 79, about 4.5 miles (total
is 10.5 miles).
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