A hike that offers a “Big Hike” challenge and feel to it is Guatay Mountain in Pine Valley. I have not hiked Pine Valley much but it is a beautiful area in our County east of San Diego past Alpine. The beauty of this hike among other things is no matter what time of year you hike Guatay, while the temperatures in the east County area may be much warmer, in Pine Valley due to the altitude, you can expect much cooler temperatures. I have listed below how to get to Guatay Mountain. 
The staging area at Guatay offers a good size parking lot, complete with campground style restrooms that are clean and well kept. The trick to finding the trail-head start is to first parking in the allotted concrete parking area and than back track on the rode you drove in on. At approximately the .7-mile mark look for the sharp curve/bend you drove in on and off to the left you will see the trail/path that will lead you to a gated fence. Once you find the gate you are on your way. This trail offers a lot of divers trail conditions, starting with backcountry path type composition, to hard rock; red clay and open trail compact sand and rock.
It is one of the reasons I really liked this hike. The first mile of this hike offers a strenuous climb, once you conquer this part of the trail you flatten out and start heading to the right with the peak of Guatay in site. As you approach the peak you dip down the trail and start to see one of the rewarding parts of the hike a grove of Tecate cypress trees, (Cupressus forbesii) growing on the north side of the slope. 
As you approach the very steep climb up to the peak, take heart although steep, you are soon to conquer yet another peak. After you make your way to the top of this steep climb, don’t be fooled you still have a bit of a way to the “real’ peak which you will soon find marked by a circle of placed rocks. Stop here rest, have a snack and take in the incredible views. The views many of the peaks that easy County offers are one of the main reasons East County hiking is my favorite hiking to do. 
Keep an eye on your back trail to help find your way back, and do not forget to enjoy the many native plant species along the way. Mariposa lilies, Collomia grandiflora, manzanita, ribbon wood, chamise, scrub oak, buckwheat, white sage, spineflower, penstemons, and green gentian are just a few of the species you’ll spot along the way. Once at the summit don’t forget to sign the hiking journal.
This hike is deceiving, and although barely a 5 mile hike, you feel like you have hiked much more. It is because of this that I consider Guatay Mountain a moderate to difficult hike.
That said this hike is well worth the effort, challenge and offers a great sense of accomplishment and reward. As always prepare before you hike, bring at least 2 liters of water, snacks and on this hike a lunch.
