Santiago Peak via Maple Springs Road and Silverado Canyon Road
Overview
This is a strenuous trail to Santiago Peak that starts on Maple Springs Road but transitions to trail and road a couple times before the last fire road walk up to Santiago Peak. There's an easy side trip to Modjeska Peak for those who wan to back both peaks which comprise Orange Counties famous Saddleback Mountain. The total mileage is 14 miles made longer (17 miles) if you have to part at the Maple Springs Visitor Center. The map here shows the incorrect starting point far down Silverado Road before the gate. The track beyond the gate at the hairpin showing the ridge trails is here: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/0t6xIOrq6ph3E5eCrtUYUkM0
The trail starts on the dirt fire road until the first hairpin turn where it exits the road on the right side to climb up a ridge trail that cuts across Maple Springs Road a couple times before reaching the top. The trail is in poor shape with a deep ditch in the middle and is fairly overgrown. Press on through, and you'll be rewarded with a shorter trip with great views of the surrounding hills are you rise up and up until you reach a small stand of Coulter Pines. FYI, Coulter Pines have the heaviest pine cones of any pine tree. Caltrans workers in Coulter Pine groves are required to wear hard hats. Their resinous and spikey cones are pretty neat and are adapted to burst only when fires push through the area.
The Trail meets the top of Maple Springs Road right where it joins with the Main Divide Road. Head up and right for 20 years until you see the trail leaving the left side of the road up the hill. The next section is lovely and shaded until the trail hits the trail up to Modjeska Peak. Head up the trail a few tens of yards, and you'll see the trail to Santiago leaving to the right. Take that trail, or, if you want bonus miles, continue another 1/2 miles to Modjeska Peak. Return back to the Santiago Trail and continue down for another 1/2 miles until the trail drops down to the fire road. Continue on the fire road to the top and savor your accomplishment. Then turn back and retrace your steps back. You can avoid a bit of up and down by taking the fire road to the Maple Springs/Main Divide Junction.
Getting Started
The trail has two potential starting points. One can start at Maple Springs Visitor center at the Gate at the end of Silverado Canyon Road, or, if the seasonally closed gate is open, one can drive down the paved road for another 1.5 miles to a hairpin turn right were the pavement ends. There's parking there for 4 to 6 cars. It saves you 3 miles walking on a paved road (which is however, very pretty.)
To get to the trailhead(s), exit the 5 fwy at Jamboree and head north to Santiago Road. Go right until you reach Silverado Canyon Road. Take Silverado canyon road until you reach the Maple Springs Visitor Center. If the gate is open, proceed through and continue another 1.5 miles (approximate) to the hairpin turn where the pavement ends. Be courteous and squeeze your cars as closely as possible.
Taking Children
Children and dogs can do this hike. It is however strenuous with significant route-finding in the overgrown portions.
Sights to See
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