Things to do |

Take in Southern California’s expansive backcountry in the Laguna Mountains

This 10-mile hike in the Laguna Mountains is one of the best ways to take in Southern California’s expansive backcountry.

Located within the Cleveland National Forest, about an hour drive from central San Diego, the Big Laguna Trail offers views of the Anza-Borrego Desert along with distant peaks like San Jacinto and San Gorgonio. Hikers more interested in their immediate surroundings won’t be disappointed, though: the Laguna Mountains feature shady oak and pine forests, open meadows and the sparkling Big Laguna Lake.

Plus, hikers get to walk along a section of the Pacific Crest Trail, the 2,650-mile hike from the U.S.-Mexico border to the U.S.-Canada border.

Note that hikers will need to purchase an Adventure Pass to park in the Cleveland National Forest; daily passes cost $5 and annual passes are $30.

The loop can begin at a few different points, but I chose to park at a lot located just northwest of mile marker 25 on the Sunrise Highway. Mapping to the “Big Laguna Trailhead” on Google Maps should direct you there, as well.

Begin hiking on the trail that leads northeast.

It follows a flat and winding path before intersecting with the Pacific Crest Trail. Here, hikers will go left — heading north — to continue on the renowned trail.

Despite a few gradual inclines and rocky sections, the trail is mostly flat as it passes by manzanita bushes.

After a little less than a mile on the Pacific Crest Trail, hikers will reach a ridgeline where they can see views of the Anza-Borrego Desert below.

After taking in the vast desert, continue on the trail. There are a few intersections to navigate, but the goal is to stay on the Pacific Crest Trail as it heads in a northwesterly direction. The path does veer briefly to the south in some sections, but the goal is to reach the Sunrise Highway, which can be found northwest of the starting point.

Consult an app like AllTrails or bring a map as a guide.

Hikers will pass by the trail for Foster Point, a lookout just a couple hundred feet off the main trail with sweeping views of the area.

Eventually, hikers will start heading in the direction of the Sunrise Highway before hiking parallel to the road for a couple miles.

Around 5 miles, hikers will turn off the Pacific Crest Trail and carefully cross the Sunrise Highway. There, find a water spigot and a picnic table — a perfect halfway point for lunch.

From here, follow signs for the Big Laguna Trail. Hikers will pass through meadows and pine forests before coming to the Big Laguna Lake, which they can admire from afar.

Around 7.75 miles, hikers will pass near the Laguna Campground. There are a few additional intersections to navigate after this, but be sure to stay on the Big Laguna Trail.

At roughly 9 miles, the flat trail begins to head up but levels out before descending down a final hillside. The parking lot where hikers started will come into view.

Cross the Sunrise Highway once more to return to the lot.