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Spotlight Trail: Noble Canyon
Release Date:
Spotlight: Noble Canyon Trail
Photo Credit: Leslie Kehmeier
|
Elevation Change |
2350 |
|
Distance |
10 miles one way/15 miles one way with BLT connection |
|
Pets Allowed |
Yes |
|
Fees |
None |
|
Hike/Ride Time |
Full day |
|
Difficulty |
Extremely Difficult/Strenuous |
|
Best Seasons |
Fall, Spring, Winter |
|
Location |
Can be accessed from the Penny Pines Trailhead on Sunrise Highway, or Noble Canyon Trailhead off Old Hwy 80. |
|
Ranger District |
Descanso Ranger District - (619) 445-6235 |
The Big Laguna Trail to Noble Canyon connection, is largely hailed as one of the best rides in Southern California. Those who have not experienced this unique single-track trail, with its challenging inclines and scenic vistas, are missing out on one of the premier recreational opportunities in Southern California. Popular with mountain bikers, trail runners, and hikers alike, the skill level can vary from easy to difficult depending on the chosen connecting trail. On its own, Noble Canyon stands as one for the more ambitious rider or hiker, with nearly 10-miles (one way) of ledge hugging switchbacks, steep slopes, and jagged rocks, finishing the ride can occasionaly require some walking. Noble Canyon intersects the Big Laguna, Sunset and Pacific Crest Trails extending to the El Prado Campground, Laguna, and Burnt Rancheria Campgrounds (depending on your starting and ending location) for the outdoor and overnight enthusiast. For an easier route, users can begin at mile marker 19 and trek through Sunset Trail before hitting the fork to Big Laguna and eventually Noble Canyon.
Special Features: With 3 distinct topography ranges, Noble Canyon is one of the few areas to offer vast Anza Borrego Desert views, wide stretches of open meadows, and crisp air atop the Laguna Mountain, all while touring shrub-covered backcountry, jagged peaks, and an abundance of wildlife activity. An hour’s drive from San Diego proper, this solitude-inducing day trip provides more than a killer leg workout, it is also hailed as one of the premier riding destinations in the country, making it a popular destination for mountain bikers everywhere. Completing the entire loop from Big Laguna to Noble Canyon and back spans approximately 30 miles.
Difficulty: With its intense incline, steep slopes, and heavy rock coverage, the trail can be very technical and challenging, reserved for the more advanced or adventurous rider. The elevation can change from 3700 to 5500 and certain sections, like the one known as "Stairway to Hell," require good speed and weight distribution, making the battle between skill and fitness an interconnecting element imperative to the trek forward. While Noble Canyon demands much from the recreational user, intermediate riders need not be scared off. Though certain sections require some finesse, those who don't frown on a little walking and are up to the challenge should be able to complete it.
Fees: Currently, no fees are being assessed if parking on the south end of the trail alongside Sunset Highway or at the Penny Pines trailhead. It should be noted that there are no amenities usually accompanied with Adventure Pass permit areas, such as a parking lot, bathrooms, trash cans, or running water. At the Noble Canyon Trailhead in Pine Valley at the bottom of the trail (southern end) a $5 adventure pass is required. This can be purchased in advance at the local General Store (on Old Hwy 80 in Pine Valley) or online at Recreation.gov.
Camping: Several local campgrounds can be found local to the Noble Canyon Trail, with more options through connecting trails depending on starting and stopping point. All campgrounds provide amenities for both tent and RV camping such as drinking water, grills, trash cans, showers, campfire rings, and a flush toilet. Since Noble Canyon intersects the Big Laguna, Sunset and Pacific Crest Trails, the El Prado Campground provides a convenient location just West of the Mount Laguna Campground area, both with a shared entrance off of Sunrise Highway. El Prado is great for larger groups and connects directly to the Spur trail that drops users down into Big Laguna. Both offer convenient connectors to many trails that link to Noble Canyon and beyond. Campsites cost varies from $18 to $20 per night depending on size and are offered on a first come first served basis. For those seeking a more rural outdoor experience, remote camping is available from the southern end of the trail, Noble Canyon Trailhead, to the Pine Creek Road crossing, outside of the Mt. Laguna Recreation area.
Points of Interest: In addition to the magnificent vegetation and topography changes from a pine and oak forest to dense Manzanita and yucca trees and finally to dessert scrub and cacti, the trail also offers plentiful connections for length, a large open meadow featuring an abundance of wildlife and occasionally free-roaming cattle, and during certain seasons, a large body of water with Big Laguna Lake. The Noble Canyon trailhead on the southern end provides a great picnic spot for lunch under the shade of tall Oak and Jeffery Pine trees and many people find this a good place to end the day.
Photo credit: Jose Galaz. Compliments of the San Diego Mountain Biking Association
Directions: Located off the I-8 at exit 47 (Sunrise Hwy 1), the Penny Pines trailhead is 13.5 miles off the freeway, providing direct Noble Canyon Trail access. For those looking to shuttle (going one way only on the trail), the lower Noble Canyon trailhead can be found off Old Hwy 80 and dropped off at the top at Penny Pines. Current construction on Pine Creek Road will force driver onto Pine Blvd to Valley View Trail as a slight detour. For those looking for a shorter drive, a longer trail, or the other end in which to shuttle, the trail can also be accessed via Sunset and Big Laguna off Sunrise Hwy at mile marker 19, a couple miles short of Penny Pines.
For additional resources, please see some of our partners below. Their sites provide a more in-depth look at the Noble Canyon Trail:
For a list of more trails to explore in your area, please see our Recreation Trail Guide. You can also visit the The Noble Canyon Recreation Page