Garnet Peak - Peak #18
Garnet Peak
Elevation: 5,909′
Mileage: 2.4
Agency: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Dates Hiked: 10/18/2009, 11/24/2016, 02/15/2017, 05/17/2018
Trailhead: Garnet Peak Trailhead
Peakbagger.com Page
For those interested, here is a list of my gear that I have found works well for me. This is, of course, an affiliate link and your enjoyment of these may vary:
10/18/2009
Today was a family day. All three of us drove out to Mount Laguna to enjoy the warm weather and great outdoors. The whole family was going to go to Garnet Peak and then I was going to run the 3/4 miles up and down Garnet Mountain, so that I could complete two of my 100 Peaks in one day, as well as complete two peaks from the Sierra Club's Hundred Peaks Section peak list.
It's a fairly easy hiking trail with some moderate elevation gain.
Garnet Peak Trailhead
The heat rose, making it hard to believe that it was almost November. We made it to the trailhead, already seeing the effects of the Cedar Fire from 2003. Some of the trees were already making a return, but others looked like they weren't ever coming back. Once again, shade was scarce along the trail to the peak.
Signs of Fire along the Garnet Peak Trail
We made our way up the mountain, passing the Pacific Crest Trail along the way. The trail cut into the northern side of the mountain and we could hear the Harley Davidsons opening up the engines along the Sunrise Highway. We passed some friendly hikers along the way, and were suddenly climbing a trail to the right and we were on the peak.
Looking south from Garnet Peak to Monument Peak
Storm Canyon Mountain and the Sawtooth Mountains from Garnet Peak
Sophia on the top of Garnet Peak, Age 1
Family time atop Garnet Peak
This peak had a similar view as Monument Peak; a nice view into Borrego Valley and views north and south along the Mount Laguna ridge line. We enjoyed the panorama and made it down the way we came.
Garnet Peak Trail Map
Hang time from Garnet Peak - 2009
Hang time from 2016
Wonderful afternoon light from Garnet Peak in 2016
Garnet Peak Selfie in 2017
Panoramic ridgeline view from Garnet Peak in 2018 (Click to enlarge)
