It was an entire day of hiking and we added an extra 5 miles by going a bit off trail but it was fun. Not that hard to drive but very dusty in the summer.Pretty good driving trail. For a status on whether or not it is open, check The first couple miles once inside the gate are paved. Maps of the trails are available online, but for the most part I prefer just to ride up and explore without guidance. Off-road motorized vehicle driving is only allowed on the Main Divide Road portion of this trail.
$5 Adventure pass needed Fun ( very hard hike as I've had a knee replaced and am now 66) It levels out a bit after that though. The actual summit is undeveloped and much nicer than nearby Santiago Peak. It was open as of 01/17/18. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.'
For example, the Stop to enjoy them and catch your breath.
however at the end there amazing views of OC and the ocean on clear days.Great trail. The highest peak (and other peak in Saddleback Mountain) is Santiago Peak.
You will need a 4x4 vehicle in some areas. (May 20, 2005) FYI, Trabuco Creek Road is fairly manageable in a passenger sedan. Bring more water than you think you need. Start early because it gets hot!This was an awesome, but brutal hike!! It is named for Santiago Creek, which begins on its southwestern flank. There are parts where you walk on the fire access road.Did this trail about 6 years ago. But came back and finished today!
From here the trail actually looses about 100 feet over the course of 3/4-mile as you make your way over to Santiago. it's easy to miss!Beautiful trail and scenery. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.Related objects are relevant to each other in some way, but they don't form a parent/child relationship.
It is often referred to as Saddleback which refers to the skyline profile formed between it and nearby Modjeska Peak. However, if you would like to park anywhere inside the park, you'll need an No, you're supposed to be out by sundown. Definitely going back soon!This was a fun hike! Went slow and it took 9 hours, 41,000+ steps! Open full screen to view more. The Maple Springs route is closed for species protection during part of the year. Easy course but always fun when you can find some mud to play inA drive up for the most part but lots of views from the radio infested location.I started at Indian truck trail entry point to my ascent up to the peak. Santiago Peak HPWREN backbone site 33.71N 117.53W at about 5700 feet - real-time met data. All of Southern California can be seen, from Big Bear to San Diego, Catalina Island to Banning, EVERYTHING. I don't see those on here.If you do this hike in the summer, start early, it gets very hot. Spend some time eating lunch, and then explore the roads at the summit of Santiago Peak in order to get the best views of the Palomars, the San Bernardinos, the San Gabriels and the Santa Monica mountain ranges.
10/10I can't begin to describe the happiness this place gave me and my family.
Views are wonderful.Its a beautiful trail but not easy to follow the signs for the peak are missing so we took a 3 mile detour and ended up taking the fire road up to the summit all in all 21 some odd miles.
It climbs about 4000 feet, but really most of the trail is long switchbacks, so it’s a slow burn.
Saw almost no one on the trail, I think 4 people all day. I knew them both and they have both passed. second are the motorcycles and cars the last mile. The climb to Santiago Peak eases up for a bit around the 4 mile marker.
I hope that IF this reopens, people will respect the land.
dirt road sucks getting there..3 miles of bumpy bump rocks and gravel1st two miles is the Holy Jim Trail and then there is a sign to the falls or Great Divide Road. Nice wild flowers. Pine Creek Road (14S05) Descanso/San Diego County: Upper Open/ Lower Closed The views looking toward the west (orange county) were amazing.
While riding up the mountain on any given weekend you'll find yourself coming across many hikers and mountain bikers alike.