Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden San Diego follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!
32.869587, -116.413954
Dog Friendly: Yes  Kid-Friendly: Yes
Hike: 5.5 miles  Level: Moderately easy
Elevation gain: 1000 feet
Monument Peak sits along the edge of the Laguna Mountains, with the gorgeous views of the Anza-Borrego desert lying below. The trail head is at the Desert View Picnic Site.
Look for the trail head signs. You will actually walk along the Pacific Crest Trail for a moment! When we went there was a lot of fire damage evidence along the hike.
There will be a point during your hike where you pass a paved road. You can either walk up it and get to the peak quicker or walk across it and continue on the dirt path.
We chose to continue on the dirt path. From what I was seeing online, Monument Peak is one of four sites that NASA has been seeking out for one of their next NASA Space Geodesy Networks.
And here we are! Monument peak has radio towers at the top, just an FYI. We visited the peak next to it (5 minute walking distance between the two) during the day then drove back later at night along the paved road to photograph from the true Monument Peak.
The sunset was magnificent!!