Location: Orange County, about 11 miles south of Corona, 58 miles from Los Angeles

Maps

Auto Club: Los Angeles and Vicinity, Orange County

Forest Service: Cleveland National Forest

USGS Topo: Santiago Peak 7½

HPS: Route(s), waypoints and explanation of usage

Nearby Peaks: Santiago Peak

Distance: 2 miles one way on road and trail

Gain: 500'

Time: 3/4 hour one way

Rating: Class 1

Original: Charlie Knapke, September 1991

DRIVING ROUTE 1

• See the Santiago Peak guide.

HIKING ROUTE 1

• From the summit of Santiago Peak, hike down the road about 0.25 mile to a junction with the Main Divide road. Turn right (east, towards Holy Jim trail) and go a short distance to where the road widens at about 5400'.
• An unsigned and not very obvious trail leaves the road on the left. Shortly the trail becomes more obvious. Note: This trail can become overgrown if not maintained regularly.
• Follow this trail northwest to saddle 4988' where the trail meets the Main Divide road, then continues to the right of the road.
• Continue on the "Modjeska Peak trail" for about 0.5 mile to a junction with an old road.
• Turn right (northeast) on the road and follow it to the summit. It saves some distance to shortcut the road, taking a use trail on the right (east) of the road which runs northeast to the summit.

NOTES

Alternate (avoiding the trail): Turn left (northwest) on the Main Divide road and follow it for about 3/4 mile to saddle 4988', then continue about 3/4 mile to a junction with an old road going to the right (northeast). Follow the old road to the summit, or take the use trail shortcut.

The direct route from saddle 4988 to the summit is (obviously) quite brushy.

If you return to Santiago Peak, there is 700' gain. If you return to the road going to Holy Jim Trail, it's 450' gain.