Pine Valley & Guatay

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There are almost 1,000 households with the estimated annual incomes of $76,000.

Guatay is a small town not far from Descanso on Historic Route 80. It has a few restaurants that serve homemade meals at bargain rates. They fit in with the rural character of the community. Next to Guatay is Pine Valley, surrounded by the beautiful Cleveland National Forest. Located about 25 miles east of El Cajon, Pine Valley is at the base of Mount Laguna with an elevation of about 3,700 feet.

As of 2007 there were almost 1,000 households in the Pine Valley and Guatay area. The estimated median household income is almost $76,000. Many of the almost 2,200 residents currently in the region of this primarily “bedroom community” work in San Diego, although some trek daily to El Centro in Imperial County.

Clean air and definite seasons attract visitors to Pine Valley in winter and summer. Brief white blankets of snow during the coldest months draw visitors to Pine Valley from around San Diego County. Cabins and condos are often full during pleasant, lazy summer days.

An old-fashioned ice cream and hamburger stand is in the town center. Pine Valley also has several restaurants with substantial meals at affordable prices. Other commercial enterprises include a local dentist and a store that sells gasoline. Shopping isn’t rushed, because Pine Valley businesses take time to deal individually with customers.

Much of the daily activity centers around the Pine Valley branch of the San Diego County Library. The branch started in 1975 in what was then the Hobart House Hotel. A wall between two adjoining rooms was removed to provide enough space. The current site, opened in 1996, includes a community room, an outdoor deck with guardrail, an extended workroom, and a decorative rail with an overhead trellis.

Other activities include the popular yearly car run, with no set date on the calendar, and the big Pine Valley Days annual celebration during the last weekend in July. A parade and a deep pit barbecue in the park, a band, dancing and games highlight that event. The early inhabitants were the Kumeyaay Indians, the Spaniards and later the Emery family.

Noble Canyon National Recreation Trail

A key feature of the Pine Valley area is the Noble Canyon National Recreation Trail, which begins along Pine Creek Road north of Pine Valley. It winds through scenic chaparral, woodlands with water and forested areas. Popular with hikers, horseback riders and mountain bicyclists, the 10-mile trail ranges in elevation from 3,740 feet at the Fine Creek Trailhead to 5,420 feet at Oasis Spring. Motorized vehicles are prohibited. The trail ends at the Pacific Crest Trail near Oasis Spring in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.

Noble Creek in the area was important to gold miners in the late 1800s. The remnants of an old flume and ore grinding mills, known as arrastras, can be seen along the trail. All artifacts are protected under the Federal Antiquities Act, so they must be left undisturbed. The Noble Canyon National Recreation Trail is one of 47 national recreation trails in the national forests of California. The National Recreation Trails system was established by Congress in 1968 to promote public enjoyment and appreciation of the nation’s great outdoor areas.

Designated as a National Recreation Trail in 1942, parts of the trail were built by miners and ranchers in the late 1800s. The U.S. Forest Service took over management of the trail in 1908. In 1980, it was relocated to avoid private land.

Along the trail:

Camping is permitted with a free camping permit. These permits are available at any Forest Service office.
Campfires, barbecues and hibachis aren’t allowed. Solid or liquid fuel stoves can be used in cleared areas.
Carry all the water you will need. There is no drinkable water along the trail.
Pack out what you pack in. If you can spare the time and have the room, it would also be appreciated if you would pick up items that careless campers neglected to carry out.
Follow trail etiquette ---- horses have the right of way.
Control your speed at all times, and expect someone coming around the bend as you approach turns. Reckless driving and high downhill speeds are not appropriate.