"A long quad hike day today. I started out by driving from Orange County and the drive was 2 hours and then I stopped at a vista on I-8 and the Storm Canyon one on Sunrise Highway. Then I headed up to Garnet Peak, starting at 8 AM. I passed through a section with no views, but then once I got onto the PCT views abounded, some into the flats areas and some into the deaeert valleys. Then eventually after crossing the flats and stopping to enjoy the view, I then went up the garnet peak summit trail and saw some nice views as I hiked up, and I scrambled the last bit. Then I went down and then did my second hike Big Laguna starting at 9:45 AM. Then I went through the Forest, which was boring and passsed a few junctions until I reached the meaodow. The meadow was quite nice and we passed by some views of the meadow as we went in and out of the forest. Then the lake views were amazing as we headed down to the lake’s dam, which looked straight outta Wyoming and the views into the lake are quite nice as well. Then I headed back up the trail, which passsed by many barren area of the meadow and then we passed through the forest again and then saw a nice views as I of the meadow and went the w..." — lc444 • Feb 22, 2025

"My favorite summit of the day. Quick, developed trail the whole way up. Outstanding views in every direction. Can't wait to explore the Anza Borrego desert ranges this winter." — edg • Dec 18, 2021

"Went out to play in the snow for a little while today. Drove out to meet some friends in the Laguna Mountains so we could hike Mount Laguna (Pinon Point) and Garnet Peak. Great hike in the snow. We wore microspikes for parts of the hike but regular old boots for most of it. We managed 6.51 miles total with 1556 feet in elevation gain." — Philip-Yoho • Dec 28, 2019

"Paired with Monument, this is definitely worth making your way out to. It just has the prominent shape of a peak you'd want to climb having seen it from a distance. Vast views of the desert on a craggy summit. Bonus, it crosses the PCT, which might actually be nice to work in for a longer trek. A bit rocky with scree so maybe don't bother with the poles. It's a quick jaunt from the road anyway." — JustinB • Apr 2, 2018

"Moderate hike from Penny Pines Trailhead area on Sunrise Hwy (S1), hiking along stretch of Pacific Crest Trail, reaching a junction with Garnet Peak trail, ascending the summit. Roughly 3 miles with 500' feet elevation gain." — brianpowell • Feb 6, 2016

"Spent a few days exploring Laguna Mountain while I was visiting the West Coast for a wedding! Complete change of scenery compared to New England, but a great few days of hiking! Cool to do a bit of trekking on the PCT." — matt-beard • Nov 15, 2015