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Laguna - Monument Peak

GPS Track

Panoramic view north from Monument Peak.  Foreground ridge over Hayes Peak (left of center) can be traversed without much problem; Garnet Peak behind, center.  Anza Borrego Desert Park center right

January 18, 2024

Monument Peak is a bump along Mount Laguna Ridgeline that drops to Anza Borrego Desert on east side. It is included in Sierra Club 100 peak list. Hike itself is fairly easy; if you just wanted to run up Monument and back it can be done in ~1.5hrs (return) from Big Laguna Trailhead on Sunrise Highway. Wanting to extend a day, after poking on maps and some Internet sites I devised a loop that allowed longer time enjoying iconic Pacific Crest Trail followed by off-trail ridgeline traverse north across Hayes peak.  Stats in Abstract are given for this variation.

After parking at Desert View past Laguna Village (Fee, or Inter-Agency Pass required), drop east past picnic benches and intersect PCT;  turn left.  PCT is then followed for about an hour to Monument Peak junction,  crossing 2 service roads and Big Laguna Trail along the way.  Monument trail is slightly overgrown with Manzanita trees (see Gallery) to summit area that has NASA Laser Tuning / Research facility. This sounds quite fancy, but in reality is just fenced area with bunch of containers, while summit itself has bunch of telecom towers.   On my Jan '24 visit there was also visitor register tucked in small cairn at highest point.  Optional extension on return follows Laguna ridgeline north across Hayes Peak.  Faint trail disappears just past summit cairn, but PCT can be spotted in the valley below.  This off-trail descent is not difficult but hiking poles with help.  360 Panoramic Views are outstanding to say the least.   Upon reaching PCT (Waypoint "4 - PCT", GPS download top of Page) turn left and hike back to Desert View. This is recommended trip with huge scenic reward for very modest effort.

Gallery