Descanso Ranger District - including the Laguna Mountains

The Descanso District of the Cleveland National Forest extends five miles from the Mexican border northward approximately 20 miles to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and is the furthest southern district in California. The wild shrub and tree-covered mountains are remnants of a landscape that at one time covered most of Southern California, as the settling of missions, towns, cities, and suburbs scaled back much of the dense growth. The Descanso Ranger District is a haven for many species of plants and wildlife such as mountain lions, bobcats, mule deer, coyotes, gray foxes, ringtail cats, long tail weasels, opossum, blacktail jackrabbits, desert cottontails, California ground squirrels, and a variety of plants.

High elevation, cooler temperatures, dense forests, and scenic vistas define the Laguna Mountain area. A must visit. Mount Laguna boasts a large recreation area suitable for horseback riding, mountain biking, running and hiking trails. This area also receives annual snowfall of up two feet at times during the winter. Starting at the south end in Hauser Canyon and passing along through the north end of Mount Laguna runs the Pacific Crest Trail, a popular hiking choice for the serious backpacker.