Monument Peak

Monument Peak ©

June 16, 2012, Joel Hawk

I’ve learned this lesson so many times yet somehow I just can’t remember how painful it is to not have everything staged the night before my hikes.  Ultimately, I always forget something and am running around in a panic trying to get organized before my ride arrives.  At least I haven’t forgotten my Cheetos yet, but I did forget to pack my morning snacks this time.  We had to pull over to fix that gnawing hunger that had already started down low.  My hiking buddy is Jack “Motor” DeFranco.  I’ve dubbed him Motor because once he gets going; I have to hustle to keep up.  Occasionally, I will holler out to make sure he’s still in the same zip code as I am.  He’s always there though.  Anyway, we both had a rough start on the day, but we also knew we would get through it and have a fun day of hiking.  The rewards of walking, climbing, scrambling are so pure and we get the feeling of satisfaction we’re doing something good for ourselves instead of sitting on a sofa all day.  Not saying sitting on a sofa isn’t fun sometimes, but to be out breathing the sweet smells of forest air and pushing ourselves a little in getting some exercise sure seems to be the way to go.  And the scenery…oh man!  It’s just different to be out there standing on a rock somewhere and seeing our world in such splendor.  It’s so interesting….but back to the hike.

We reach our destination around 7:00 a.m. and it’s already starting to get hot.  There is a strong wind blowing similar to a Santa Anna.  Once parked and loaded, we started off on our way to Monument Peak taking a road at first, but then traversing across open country.  We didn’t park at the correct trailhead (told you we had a rough start), but with Garmin as our guide, we knew we’d figure it out across the meadows and run-offs. 

After only a few hundred yards off the road, my shoes were filled to the brim with foxtails.  This is a very dangerous plant for dogs since the burrs get into their noses and ears and have to be removed by a Vet (unless you know what you’re doing).  For us, they are just plain painful and when they get buried on/in your clothes and socks/shoes so you’re pulling them out forever.  I had to don my leggings instead of just going with shorts to help keep these things out.  I would need them later on in the day for our other hikes anyway.

We traveled in the direction Garmin told us and viola, came right up onto the trail.  We followed this trail on our return and found the real trailhead explained in the directions and numbers below.  Anyway, once on the trail we were surprised at how well-traveled it was.  In ½ mile, we intersected with the Pacific Coast Trail.  Since this was the start of the hiking season, the PCT was well worn with all those aspiring to conquer the 2650 miles or so from the Mexican Border to the Canadian Border. 

We traveled the PCT for a short bit and soon saw our trail off to Monument Peak.  This part of the trail was not as well-worn naturally and was a little overgrown.  Be sure to wear good hiking shoes/boots, long sleeves and long pants.

After a short ascent, we came upon the USAF satellite/radar station (I think that is what it was).  You could see a number of towers, microwave stations, etc., along the ridge line.  We set off along an asphalt road for the large white ball where we thought Monument Peak was, but quickly found out Garmin was telling us to go a different way.  Motor said something along the lines of, “It’s not my fault – it’s the asphalt.”  Monument Peak is actually just above the USAF area so we walked along the road the rest of the way up. 

Once we reached the summit, we could tell this was the highest point in the immediate area.  So we set out to find the bench mark.  We climbed over every rock up on the summit looking for the bench mark only to be disappointed.  We did find the register, but no BM.  So after a few pictures of the surrounding area, we set off on our descent. 

I saw this lizard and although the colors didn’t come through in the picture, the grayed out area on his body were actually a shade of intense blue.  He wasn’t afraid of me and posed for a long time until I had taken enough pictures to have a good one.

Walking away in defeat and after only 50 yards or so, I saw a group of rocks we had not climbed.  Although these were significantly lower than the peak, I told Motor that maybe the bench mark was up there on these rocks.  Glad I thought of that possibility.

Renewed with our stroke of luck in finding the BM, we set off for the trailhead and a new adventure.  On our way down, we realized it was in the middle of June and the flowers were still so beautiful and the manzanita bushes were so green and thick.  The meadows are cool to be walking through (while on a trial and not through the foxtails).  We were fortunate to experience a nice comfortable temperature and breeze for our hike.

This is the real Trailhead and I’d recommend parking here vs. parking where we did and then hiking through the open country.

We were on our way to Sheephead Mountain and drove past the Laguna Tavern.  It was closed on our way up, but now on the way back down, that place is packed!  Go Mountain People….and it’s only about 9:00 a.m.

We saw this lone chimney standing along the roadside and wondered what had happened in the past.  We weren’t sure if it used to be a large home or some type of public lodging facility.  Whatever it was at one time, nothing remained other than this marvel of days gone by.  We thought of others sitting around the fire back in the day feeling the warmth and glow of fires long since put out.

Be safe, enjoy living and appreciate our lands.   ~ Joel

Directions and the numbers:

Travel East on I-8 and exit on Sunrise Highway.  Travel to mile marker 25 and look for the Big Laguna Trailhead on the East side of Sunrise Hwy in a couple hundred yards.  This is in the Cleveland National Forest, so displaying an adventure pass is required or you risk getting ticketed.  An annual pass is only $30 or so and a daily pass is only $5.  For the joy we get in return, it’s a worthwhile investment.  Total round trip is appx 3.5 miles with a 686 total ascent with a max elevation of 6244 ft.   Overall this took me about 1 hour and 19 minutes.  This is a very easy hike for the family. 

Latitude/Longitude (WGS84)
32° 53' 33'' N; 116° 25' 14'' W
32.892378, -116.420653 (Dec Deg)
554186E 3639505N Zone 11 (UTM)