Santiago Peak

Looking north past Modjeska Peak to the San Gabriel Mountains.

5 NOVEMBER 2022 W6/CT-023

One star – Nothing special but I’d do it again.

Elevation:	4,689′
Route:	Drive up
Hike Distance:	n/a
Elevation Gain:	n/a
Navigation:	Easy
Steepness:	n/a
Vehicle:	SUV High clearance recommended
Road:	Forest Service dirt
Cell Coverage:	Good (Verizon), APRS Excellent

Hike basics

Lots of people crowded this “techno summit” on the Saturday I decided to activate Santiago Peak. My last trip up to this summit was on December 3rd, 1994. Access to this drive-up is via Silverado Canyon Road and forest service road 5S05 at Maple Springs Trailhead. Call the Trabuco Ranger Station of the Cleveland National Forest ahead to make sure the gate at Maple Springs is open.

As noted in my previous post on Modjeska Peak (the pair make up “Saddleback Mountain” and are usually done together), I grudgingly give these two one star for the view alone. I’m not likely to return however.

The summit is RF saturated but my FT5DR was able to withstand the sheer volume of the radio assault and make five quick contacts before bailing. The drive down was very tedious with a LOT of vehicles coming up and slow vehicles going down.