Garnet Peak

ELEVATION: 5,909 FT
DISTANCE: 2.4 MILES
TIME: 1.5 HOURS
DIFFICULTY: MODERATE

The alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. telling me it was time to get up and get ready for this hike. This peak has the reputation of being the best place to watch a sunrise in San Diego County. We made the early morning drive along the Sunrise Highway toward the Laguna Mountains where we met up with the trailhead. The first part of the trail is level and meets up with the Pacific Crest Trail. At that point (about halfway), it begins a steady climb up to the peak.

Although I missed the coming up of the sun by about 10 minutes, the view was magnificent nonetheless. I would recommend a plan to be at the peak 30 minutes before sunrise, because the best part is the bright orange sky that reflects upon the desert peaks before the sun actually comes up over the horizon.

The peak itself is a collection of jagged rocks that truly make you feel like you are on a peak when you stand on any one of them. This peak is one of the 10 highest in the county.

Although the views are good in all directions, the view east out upon the Anza Borrego desert is the most captivating. This is because the east side of the peak drops almost straight down into the high desert, whereas the west side is part of the plateau of the Laguna Mountains. It offers a great view of the Salton Sea, Pinyon Mountains, Hot Springs Mountain, and even into Mexico.