The Laguna Mountain Association is a not-for-profit group of dedicated volunteers that works closely with the United States Forest Service to provide recreational and environmental opportunities for visitors to the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area (and to just have some fun with each other). But to really get to know us, take a virtual hike with us from the Sunset Trailhead at Mt. Laguna, 45 miles east of San Diego and 5500 feet above sea level.

What you see is what we are

As you walk from your car to the information kiosk that we built with the United States Forest Service, the smell of pine is refreshing. Heading out on the trail, the map in your hand, designed by LMVA volunteers, shows you that the trail winds north to Water Of The Woods. A good place to stop and check out the tracks of deer, coyote and raccoon that have recently watered there. The drainage bars across the trail are a subtle reminder that the LMVA trail maintenance crew has also recently been there, working to stop soil erosion. Continuing north, you pass a small group investigating concave

holes in a boulder, and overhear one of our interpretive naturalists explain that these are morteros, used by the Kwaaymii Native Americans to grind food. After hiking down a wooded hillside, you enter a broad valley and turn south onto the Big Laguna Trail, built by our volunteers.

Needing more water, you stop at the visitor information center, staffed by our volunteers, to refill.

The sound of children's voices in the small log building draws you inside where you see a little girl, clutching a bobcat pelt, ask if that big mountain lion above the desk bites. Restocked, you cross the road and turn south onto the Pacific Crest Trail. The stark beauty and expansive views of the Anza-Borrego desert makes the miles pass quickly. You wonder what it was

like to ride the desert route of the Butterfield Stage, a time that comes alive on Labor Day weekend each year during our Living History program. Resting in the shade of a manzanita bush, the sound of hooves precede a visit with our mounted patrol, who check to see if you have

enough water and tell you that a big storm is moving in from the west. Hiking faster now, you pass the Red-tailed Roost Volunteer Headquarters, where our group is tossing horseshoes and settling into a potluck dinner. You stand on a precipice of pine, staring 4000 feet down to the desert floor. As you reach the car, the first hail stones bounce off the windshield. You take great images with you as you leave, and decide to contact the LMVA Monday morning to see how you can put your skills to work for the community.

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