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| Hiking | 9.24 Miles |
1,541 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.24 Miles | | | |
| 1,541 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Made a needed stop to hike on the way back from a wedding in San Diego.
Started out from the Penny Pines trailhead with a slight breeze and moderate temperatures. From here, the Noble Canyon Trail meanders up and down, crossing a FS road a couple of times. The area has burned in the past few years, and head-high shrubs surround the trail. They seemed like white lilacs? They were in full flower and smelled amazing. Along the way, we noted flowering lupine, penstemon, paintbrush, and more. It was still spring.  The tall shrubs did not impede the views, since the trail ran mainly along gentle side-slopes. At this point, the views were mainly of the surrounding hills.
Picked up Indian Creek Trail, which was also surrounded by lovely flowers. This meandered up and down a little before dropping down to cross - you guessed it - Indian Creek. We easily stepped over the creek, which had a reasonable flow going. The loop we had planned can be done entirely via hiking trail, but after crossing the creek, we needed to save time by taking a short-cut. Everything up to this point had been very gentle, so it wasn't until hiking up and over the nearby ridge on a long-abandoned jeep trail that I realized how little I had recovered from the previous day's wedding festivities.  Dropping over the other side of the ridge, we picked up a dirt road that took us back to the main road, which we scurried across between traffic.
We picked up the Pacific Crest Trail at the Pioneer Mail picnic grounds and headed south. Compared to previous sections of the PCT I have been on, this was a highway - well cleared and graded. Initially, we were very close to the road, but the trail eventually worked its way out to the edge of the escarpment, providing shocking views of Anza-Borrego at least 3,000 feet below. Amazing!
Next up was a side trip to Garnet Peak. The trail was full of loose rocks, but maintained a surprisingly moderate grade all the way to the top. Views were even better from up here, but the wind had picked up considerably, making us wary of getting too near the edge. After a few pictures, we started down, hoping to gain some protection from the wind. On the way down, we saw our first hiker of the day, then 2 more, then 1 more, then 3 more. Completed the loop after some more stunning views and back to the vehicle in time to head to dinner.
This loop (minus the side-trip to Garnet Peak) would be suitable for most hikers. Nothing too steep or too loose. Due to copious signage, no real route-finding skills are needed. Wonderful views. |
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Wildflowers Observation Substantial
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Indian Creek |
Light flow |
Light flow |
| | | Based on open wetland vegetation, this creek likely has surface or near-surface flow year round. | | _____________________
| "Let it ride / Let it roll / Let it go" |
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