Pine Mountain Loop

Cappie’s Scoop: We like to hike this trail in November because it’s usually fall in Mount Laguna and there are lots of yummy crunchy leaves at the trailhead. There is also a very interesting tree that mom likes to show our friends. I don’t know why she thinks it’s cool because it has a lot of holes in it. She said it’s because an Acorn Woodpecker makes a hole and then stuffs an acorn in it for winter food. I’m sure those squirrels that always tease me by running up the tree are not happy! The trail begins across the highway so we are very careful when crossing the road. We should return back to the highway and do one big loop but mom took a wrong turn once and we ended up on the Indian Creek trail. That’s also a great loop hike but it’s over 8 miles and I told mom that we didn’t bring enough treats for that. So she pulled out the map and got us on the right trail again headed back to the car. I still made her stop one more time so I could crunch on some leaves and she could look at her holy tree. Don’t hesitate to add YOUR scoop in the comments below!

Tips: To pick up the trail, walk up the road to Sunrise Highway and cross it at the crosswalk. Trail starts on your right side. You will return on the road if you do a loop. The Pine Mountain trail stays on the east side of the mountain. There is a large population of pine trees in this area which gives the mountain its name. After about 2.3 miles into the hike, you’ll come to a 4-way junction called Champagne Pass where you can take a small detour up to a scenic overlook.

Directions: Take I-8 E to the Sunrise Highway. Head north on Sunrise Highway into Mount Laguna to the Pioneer Mail trailhead, just past mile marker 29 – it will be on the right. Park at the picnic area.