Indian Creek Trail

Features: Intermittent stream crossing, link to Cuyamaca State Park.

Length: 4 miles one way, from Noble Canyon Trail to the State Park boundary.

Elevation gain/loss: -650'.

Hiking time: 2 hours.

Users: Hikers, equestrians, mountain bikes.

Difficulty: Hard.

Best time of year: Any time except during storms.

Potable water: None.

Access points: Noble Canyon Trail, Pioneer Mail picnic area.

Description: Indian Creek Trail leads from the Noble Canyon Trail several miles from the Penny Pines trailhead, intersects with the Pine Mountain trail, and continues westerly to the boundary of Cuyamaca State Park. This is a delightful "linker" trail, that provides a great way to put several interesting and relatively long loop hikes together. Starting at Penny Pines, follow the Noble Canyon Trail for 2.4 miles, then turn right onto Indian Creek Trail. Descend west through pines, oaks and high chaparral almost one mile. Here, the broad, shallow Indian Creek Canyon comes into view. Indian Creek carries a bit of water most of the year, and small herds of cattle graze in the tall grasses of the meadow during the summer. After the trail crosses the creek, it ascends 1 mile across an east-facing slope devoid of trees to arrive at Champagne Pass, which marks the halfway point. At 0.10 mi further, the trail intersects the Pine Mountain Trail.

You now have three options for your return trip.
First, continue on Indian Creek Trail for 2 miles until it ends at the western boundary of the Laguna Recreation Area, and then return as you hiked in (total 12 miles round trip). Second option, turn right (east) on Pine Mountain Trail and follow it for 2.5 miles to Sunrise Highway just N of the Pioneer Mail Trailhead (mile marker 29.3). To make a loop back to your car, cross through Pioneer Mail picnic area to pick up the Pacific Crest Trail on east side and proceed S for 4 miles to arrive at your starting point at the Penny Pines Trailhead (total is 11 miles round trip). Note: mountain bikers, use Sunrise Highway to return, instead of the PCT. A third alternative is to proceed W on Indian Creek Trail and link up with the Harvey Moore Trail in Cuyamaca State Park to Sweetwater Bridge on Highway 79, about 4.5 miles (total is 10.5 miles).