Orange County High Point Trip Report

Date: February 25, 2002
Author: Hans Haustein

I left Pasadena at about 6:00 am to drive up Santiago Peak. I had no problems with the traffic, but going into the city it was bad. Made it down to the Indian Truck Trail exit about 7:30 am and was up to the top by 9:30 am. The road was in good shape until about 2 miles from the top when it became pretty rocky and rutted in places. One could probably drive to the top with a high clearance vehicle without 4WD. All I can say is the views were awesome from the top. I could clearly see (smog wasn't thick yet) Mts. San Antonio, San Gorgonio, and San Jacinto, I can't wait to get back to southern CA to climb those peaks! There was quite of bit of low clouds and fog along the coast so I couldn't see the ocean or islands. I drove back down and was back to the freeway by 11:00 am.