The hike up the Noble Canyon Trail is a hike of transitions. The trail starts in the desert, with scrub and cacti lining the trail, high above Noble Creek. As you climb, you move into old oaks, riparian zones, and the pines of San Diego's high mountains. This hike ends at a viewpoint of the iconic PCT, where you can see for miles from the desert divide.
We're going to start the Noble Canyon Trail in Pine Valley, about 1 hour east of downtown San Diego. We're going to start a short ways up the trail, cutting off the beginning three miles of desert in favor of some incredible views later. The parking can be found marked on Google Maps at: Noble Canyon Mid-Way Exit and Parking, Pine Creek Rd, Pine Valley, CA 91962.
You don't need a parking pass, and there are no facilities here.
Gear Recommendations
This is a backcountry hike, and you should plan accordingly.
The weather can be extreme. In the summer, it's better to give the hike a skip; the temperatures can climb into the 100Fs. In the winter, there can be snow in higher elevations. Spring and early winter are the sweet spots to do this hike.
Bring insect repellant.
I'd recommend a satellite communicator; there isn't much cellular service.
Noble Creek isn't always flowing, but if it is, you can refill water along the hike if you filter or treat it. There's also a water spigot at Penny Pines, about halfway through the hike.
Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.
Garmin InReach Mini 2Hit SOS or just tell loved ones that you're running late where your cell phone has no service. Review here.
Topo MTN RacerAggressive and fun with a wide toe box (=no blisters). Get them wet, they dry quickly. Lots of cushion and comfort.
Osprey Hikelite 26Lightweight, carries all your gear, and your back doesn't get sweaty. Oh yea, it's also one of the most inexpensive packs you can get.
If you look at other guides for the Noble Canyon Trail, you'll notice they all describe it from top to bottom. I prefer to hike it as described here, from bottom to top and back.
Hike Notes
Noble Canyon was designated a National Recreation Trail (NRT) in 1982. An NRT trail designation is reserved for the highest-caliber trails and was established under the National Trails Act of 1968.
It's said that the trail was developed initially by miners in the 1800s and then better established in the 1930s by the CCC. The trail fell into disrepair until 1982 when it was revitalized and received its NRT designation.
Noble Canyon is named after the Noble brothers, who came here in 1870 and started mining. There were many claims throughout the valley, and according to newspapers in the 1930s, the Noble Mine was one of the leading gold mines in the country. Today you can see the ruins of some of the mines in the area. None are on the trail, but their locations are on USGS topographic maps.
Noble Canyon Hike Directions
The burn area is from the Valley Fire of 2022. It won't last long, don't worry.