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Laguna Mountains
Banner02.jpg
Chaparral, riparian, and grassland habitats.
Highest point
Peak Cuyapaipe Mountain
Elevation 1,944 m (6,378 ft)
Geography
Laguna Mountains is located in California
Laguna Mountains
Location in California
Country United States
State California
District San Diego County
Range coordinates 32°48′30.187″N 116°26′57.061″W / 32.80838528°N 116.44918361°W / 32.80838528; -116.44918361
Parent range Peninsular Ranges
Topo map USGS Mount Laguna

The Laguna Mountains are a mountain range of the Peninsular Ranges System in eastern San Diego County, southern California. The mountains run in a northwest/southeast alignment for approximately 35 miles (56 km).

The mountains have long been inhabited by the indigenous Kumeyaay people.

Geography

The Laguna Mountains are bordered by the Cuyamaca Mountains area on the west and the Colorado Desert on the east, where the mountains form a steep escarpment along the Laguna Salada Fault. To the north the Laguna Mountains are bounded by the Elsinore Fault Zone and to the south by Cameron Valley and Thing Valley.

The highest point is Cuyapaipe Mountain at 6,378 feet (1,944 m). The mountains are largely contained within the Cleveland National Forest. Snow falls on the highest peaks several times a year. Mount Laguna is a village in the Laguna Mountains with a population of about 80.

The headwaters of three perennial streams begin in the Laguna Mountains: Noble Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and Kitchen Creek.

The Laguna Mountains extend northwest about 35 mi (56 km) from the Mexican border at the Sierra de Juárez range. The Sawtooth Range and In-Ko-Pah Mountains are adjacent to the east. The Santa Rosa Mountains lie further to the northeast. The Cuyamaca Mountains are adjacent along the west.

The southern section is in the Mountain Empire region of San Diego County, and the northern section is in the East County region.

Cuyamacas-Stonewall from Lagunas
Laguna Mountain's chaparral habitat in foreground, Cuyamaca Mountains in background.
SoCal Coast
Laguna Mountains (lower right/east), and other Peninsular Ranges in Southern California.
Laguna Mountains, California, observation area 2015
Cleveland National Forest observation deck in the Laguna Mountains.
Inspiration Point Laguna Mountains
Inspiration Point view, east towards Anza Borrego Desert State Park (right), Vallecito Mountains (left), and Santa Rosa Mountains (left background).

Recreation

The Laguna Mountains are a popular recreation area in the Cleveland National Forest. They comprise the southernmost crest along the Pacific Crest Trail.

Their relatively high altitude induces the highest snowfall in San Diego County making it one of the few local places to offer snow activities like sledding and snowshoeing.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Montañas Laguna para niños

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