Santiago Peak (saddleback mountain?)

[Drunk tank]

Can someone give me directions on how to get to santiago peak? I'm planning on takin a girl im seein up there this weekend just for a nice cruise in the hills. But I dont know where the trail head is at.

Also, isnt santiago peak the same as saddleback mountain?

Also heard theres a gate there... not sure if its closed or not. Pretty sure my USGS key will open it though.

Any other southern OC trails your all would suggest to take a fine lady on a cruise on? Probably have a picnic at the summit or somethin


Thanks Ya'll!

 

[karstic]

Theres a couple of way to get to Santiago Peak, if the gates are open right now.

The FS website currentl shows everything on the Trabuco District as CLOSED.

Good Luck!!!

 

[HWY H8R]

You could always take her to the Wildomar OHV area. It shoud be open and is right next to Saddleback Mtn. I am not sure where you live but assuming that you live North of Irvine take the 5 South until you reach the 74 (Ortega Hwy)and take Ortega almost to Lake Elsinore. You will pass a ranger station on your right and just past this station you will see a cross road going left or right. Go right and follow the signs to the OHV park.

 

[Drunk tank]

you could always just look next to my name to find out where I am. :laugh3:

I never knew there was a OHV area on the orterga highway! Do you happen to know the name of the area???

 

[johnnyc]

The only way I know to get to the peak is to drive out to the end of Silverado Canyon Rd. There is a gate, but you say you have the key.

I've driven up there once and mountain biked to the peak twice. Why? Because it's there.

Santiago Peak and Modjeska Peak together make what they call Saddleback, because the two peaks look like a saddle.

 

[Drunk tank]

Well Im gonna hit up wildomar OHV area sunday and see how it is.... I'll check some gates on the way and see if they work for CNF

 

[MJR]

I think Santiago Peak is open from April - October but they close it for a week or so after rain so that the road isn't damaged. I can run up there on Wed to see if the gate is open at the end of Silverado Canyon if you want (right by where I work). This is a great place to go when the weather is clear because you can see from Pendelton to north of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and watching the sunset is spectactular. Here's a few photos and a link to the rest at the bottom.

http://www.gotgroceries.net/SantiagoPeak404and1204/index.html

 

[BrettM]

wheelin dates are the best

 

[Drunk tank]

I think Santiago Peak is open from April - October but they close it for a week or so after rain so that the road isn't damaged. I can run up there on Wed to see if the gate is open at the end of Silverado Canyon if you want (right by where I work). This is a great place to go when the weather is clear because you can see from Pendelton to north of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and watching the sunset is spectactular. Here's a few photos and a link to the rest at the bottom.

I'd really appreciate it if ya did! figure that would be a fun time.

BTW.... what time do you get off work? Maybe we could meet up and head up there

 

[MJR]

I'd really appreciate it if ya did! figure that would be a fun time.

BTW.... what time do you get off work? Maybe we could meet up and head up there

I'll check it out. Around 5:30pm. So I should bring the Jeep and not the bike? I was going to check it out on my lunchtime with the bike.

 

[Drunk tank]

oh... nevermind then. For some reason i automatically assume everyone uses their xj as their DD

Let me know what you see out there. Also, do you know any directions off the top of your head on how to get there?

 

[MJR]

oh... nevermind then. For some reason i automatically assume everyone uses their xj as their DD

Let me know what you see out there. Also, do you know any directions off the top of your head on how to get there?

5 freeway nouth exit El Toro Rd and turn right take it all the way till it turns into Santiago Canyon Rd (maybe 12 miles) and then to Silverado Canyon Rd and turn right all the way up to the gate. It's not a problem if you want to go jeeping after work.

http://mappoint.msn.com/(chpvhh55mru2pb55yzjnm245)/directions.aspx?&EndName=Silverado%2c+Orange%2c+California%2c+United+States&EndLocation=33.74755,-117.63847&StartName=El+Toro+Rd%2c+Laguna+Hills%2c+CA+92653&StartLocation=33.61279%2c-117.71281&DataSetLangID=USA&RouteType=Quickest&RouteUnit=Miles

 

[karstic]

According to the FS phone recording all the roads are closed because of rain damage. Maple Springs Road (the extension of Silverado Canyon) is closed yearly from April 1 to August 30 because of the Arroyo Toad.

 

[MJR]

According to the FS phone recording all the roads are closed because of rain damage. Maple Springs Road (the extension of Silverado Canyon) is closed yearly from April 1 to August 30 because of the Arroyo Toad.

I think it's open from October-April. I just went up there to look and the gate is closed. There used to be a sign stating when it was closed on the gate but although the sign is there the face has been wiped clean. I have been there in April when the gate was open prior to the date listed on the sign. Like Steven said it's for the Arroyo Toad so they can mate and reproduce that they close it annually. There are at least 4 ways up. One through Siverado Canyon, one from Ortega, and two that I have taken from the 15 Fwy.

From the 5 Fwy El Toro Rd exit it is approx 19 miles to the gate in Siverado Canyon. Here are directions with mileages.

Exit the 5 Fwy at El Toro Rd and head toward the hills, at 7.5 miles El Toro Rd will turn into Santiago Canyon Rd (at Cook's Corner), then at 13.4 miles turn right onto Silverado Canyon Rd, at 14.3 miles there is a sign for the Cleveland Forest which will tell you if the gate is open or closed, and at 19.2 miles you will be at the gate.

The rest are here. http://www.gotgroceries.net/SilveradoCanyon505/index.html