Big Laguna Trail – Best of Loop

In This Guide	Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the Big Laguna Trail Loop Parking for the Big Laguna Trail What To Look For on the Hike & Recommendations
Total Distance (?)	12 miles (19.3 km)
Hike Time	5-6 Hours (Total)
Difficulty (?)	Moderate
Total Ascent (?)	1,740 feet (530m)
Highest Elevation	6,271 feet (1911m)
Fees & Permits	Parking Permit
Dogs Allowed	Leashed
Alerts & Closures (?)	Cleveland National Forest
Park Phone	619-445-6235

This “best of” loop on the Big Laguna Trail offers a little bit of everything, and is one of my favorites. You’ll get scenic a mountain meadow and lake, a peaceful oak and pine forest, glimpses of the highest peaks in San Diego County, a climb to a mountain summit, a stretch on the PCT, and incredible views into the desert and high mountains beyond. Even though the hike is only about 12 miles through the Laguna Recreation Area, you’ll feel like you covered more ground because of the tremendous variety.

Where is the Big Laguna Trail?

The hike starts in the Laguna Recreation Area, a section within Cleveland National Forest close to Mount Laguna. It’s off Sunrise Highway, also known as State Route 1 (SR1), a National Forest Scenic Byway. Use this trailhead address:
Penny Pines Trailhead, 12000 Sunrise Hwy. Pine Valley, CA 91962

You’ll need a National Parks Pass or Adventure Pass to park at the trailhead.

Snow Closed Road — In the winter, SR1 can be closed because of snow. Check for any closures before you go.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 4 — There are two parking areas at Penny Pines. This is the parking area on the east side.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 1 — And this is the larger area on the west side that usually fills up first.

There are no bathrooms at the trailhead.

Don’t confuse this Laguna Mountain Recreation Area, where this hike takes place, with the other Laguna Mountain Recreation Area, which is run by the BLM and located in the Coastal Range between Big Sur and Fresno. Double-check your car GPS or you might be adding on 8 hours of driving.

Gear For the Hike

As you might imagine from the distance, this is a proper hike and you will be best served by proper hiking gear. I bring 3L of water. A section of the hike takes smaller use trails, which can be overgrown, and having long pants will help protect your legs from scratches. Also trekking poles and good footwear will help through this part. If you don’t feel comfortable on these smaller trails, you can also skip them. I’ll tell you how in the directions section.

Altra Lone Peak 5
For most people, the Altra Lone Peak is a solid choice that will leave your feet feeling great at the end of any hike. The feel is cushy and light, and if it had a car equivalent, this would be a Cadillac or Mercedes Sedan. The grip is great and they’re reasonably durable for this type of trail runner, which I think is better in most conditions than a hiking boot, and here’s why. The downside of this shoe is that it won’t last as long as something like the Moab 2 (see alternate footwear choices at the bottom of my gear page). I’ve been using mine for many miles and my feet always feel great. Watch my video explaining why they are a great shoe here.
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Latest Price on Women’s Shoe – REI | Amazon
Latest Price on Men’s Shoe – REI | Amazon

Stay Safe Out of Cell Phone Range
If you’re not familiar with the Garmin InReach technology, it allows you to send and receive text messages where you don’t have cell phone signals. You can also get weather reports and trigger an SOS to emergency responders. Even if you don’t have an emergency, sending a quick message telling a loved one that you’re okay or are running late is well worth the cost. The Garmin InReach Mini (REI | Amazon | My Review) fits in your palm and weighs next to nothing.

Gaia GPS Mapping App
Smartphones are not backcountry instruments, but almost everyone has one today. And they all have GPS onboard. So I recommend getting a good GPS hiking app like Gaia GPS that supports offline maps. Just make sure to put your phone in airplane mode so the battery doesn’t drain. GaiaGPS not only has smartphone and tablet apps, but also an online planning tool. You can drag the GPX hike tracks from my (or any) guides into the online map and they will sync to your phone. You can also check for wildfires, weather, snow, and choose from dozens of map types with a premium membership (HikingGuy readers get up to 40% off here). Note that I also carry a paper map with me in case the phone dies or gets smashed.

Here’s my complete gear list that I personally use, have tested, and recommend, updated July 2021.

My July 2021 Top Gear Picks

No company pays me to promote or push a product, all the gear you see here is gear I use and recommend. If you click an a link and buy gear, I get a small commission that helps keep the website ad and promotion free. There is no cost to you.

Big Laguna Trail Maps

First off, on this loop, we’re not technically on the Big Laguna Trail the whole time. We’ll take it through some of its more scenic spots, and then loop back on a spectacular stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). For the most part, all of the trails are well-marked and easy to follow. There is one stretch, a detour to Monument Peak and Hays Peak summits, where the trails are more primitive and harder to follow. The trails are there, and you can definitely see them, but they are not the well-worn thoroughfares that the PCT is. Having the GPX on your GPS unit will help.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

If you try to download the GPX file and your browser adds a “.txt” or “.xml” extension to it, simply rename it as a “.gpx” file.

How are you going to navigate this hike?
To start, you should always have a paper map and compass. And it helps to print this guide out or save it on your phone. I highly recommend a GPS as well. I use the Garmin Fenix 6 Smart GPS watch ( REI | Amazon | My Review) with maps (or the more affordable Garmin Instinct). The GPS smartwatch is nice because it’s rugged, works if your phone dies, and also has a billion other features like sleep tracking, workout recording, etc.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 2 — How cool is this? The trails in this part of Cleveland National Forest have their own badges!

Big Laguna Trail Directions 3 — I know it’s tempting to hike up to the lake and check it out, but to protect the delicate meadows, please stay on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Big Laguna Trail Elevation — Even though you hit a mountain summit, the climbing is minimal on this hike. Overall it feels flat with some rolling terrain.

Landmarks on the Hike

Landmark	Distance	Elevation
Laguna Meadow	1.2	5540
Big Laguna Lake	2.5	5420
SR1 Crossing	6.0	5700
Monument Peak	7.5	6271
Hays Peak	8.0	6163
Foster Point	10.0	5750
Penny Pines Trailhead	12	5450

3D Map

Hike Brief

Laguna Meadows 1931 — The view you get as you enter Laguna Meadows is pretty much exactly the same as it is in this photo taken in 1931. Today there are less pines. It’s not because of any fire, but rather because they were cut down to make room for cattle ranchers. Photo UC Berkeley

We’re hiking through the most southwest forest of Coulter and Jeffrey pine in California.
If you do this hike in the spring (March-May), you’ll probably see a lot of northbound PCT hikers, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Most hikers have covered the 45 miles or so to this point in 2-4 days. Many of them did their first resupply at the Mount Laguna General Store, a fun place to stop for a bite. Say hello and wish them luck.
The area was originally populated by the native Kumeyaay, who would summer up here in the mountains, and then winter down in the lower elevations.
The cabins that you see as you drive in are leased for ten years at a time to private owners by the Forest Service. If you want to stay longer and explore this beautiful area, check out the lodge or one of the campgrounds. It’s a great place to spend the weekend.

Big Laguna Trail Hike Directions

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Video Directions

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Turn by Turn Directions

Big Laguna Trail Directions 5 — From the northwest end of the parking area, head down onto the trail.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 6 — You’ll pass the trail board for the Noble Canyon Trail, which we’re on for a few minutes. Noble Canyon is a great hike and one of the National Recreation Trails.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 7 — There’s also a water fill here that works intermittently.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 8 — The trail is easy to follow as you get going.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 9 — And soon we’ll leave the Noble Trail behind and go left to hike the Big Laguna Trail.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 10 — The Big Laguna is well marked with its own badge.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 11 — There’s a little up and down and you wind through the scrub.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 12 — When you get to the junction with this connector trail, stay straight.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 13 — And shortly after that you’ll come to the northern end of Laguna Meadow. There are two trails, one down the east and one down the west side of the lake. Make the right to take the trail down the west side.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 14 — Again, the trail is very well marked and a pleasure to navigate.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 15 — As you head west you get nice views right down Laguna Meadow, the same as the earlier photo I shared from 1931.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 16 — At the west side of the meadow, bear left to stay on the Big Laguna Trail, leaving the Sunset Trail to the right.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 17 — Hike down along the west side of the meadow. You’ll see a lot of old fences here. This used to be cattle ranching area.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 18 — Hike by Big Laguna Lake.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 19 — And at the end, make the hard left.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 20 — Cross the lake on the dam built by ranchers.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 21 — There are epic views up the lake from here.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 22 — After you cross, you’ll wind north up the other side of the lake.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 23 — This section can be tricky, there are a lot of use trails. Stay on the well-worn main trail.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 24 — And you’ll wind around to the east, away from the lake. Stay right on the main trail. To the left the east side trail rejoins us.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 25 — Keep staying right, avoiding the trails on the left, as you head up a small meadow area.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 26 — When you get to the split, make the right and cross the wood platform.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 27 — And shortly after that stay straight past the gated trail to the left.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 28 — Now the hike changes character. You’ll wind through an area of shaded pines.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 29 — When you get to the wide clearing, make the left.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 30 — And the trail is a trail again, complete with Big Laguna Trail marker.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 31 — At the split, take the left, leaving the Aqua Dolce Trail on the right.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 32 — The trail starts to tilt uphill as you hike through the pine forest.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 33 — When you get to the road, cross over.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 34 — And right after that you’ll pop out on another dirt road. Go straight down the dirt road in front of you, which is the Big Laguna Trail.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 35 — You’ll have a section on the wider dirt trail, which although wide, is still pleasant.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 36 — As you climb, you’ll get views of Cuyamaca Peak, the second-highest in San Diego county.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 37 — Look for the trail marker signaling the left turn off the wide dirt road.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 38 — You’ll get nice views of Hot Springs Mountain in front of you, which is the highest point in San Diego County.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 39 — And as you wind down toward the road, you’ll see the radio towers on Monument Peak.

There are 33 officially named “Monument Peaks” in the USA.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 40 — Cross the road.

Big Laguna Trail Directions 41 — And you’ll see the trailhead. Go straight through.

The water bottles you see here are left for PCT hikers to resupply. The people who leave the bottles are called “trail angels” and the water is called “trail magic.”