Santa Anna Mountains

My first summit of Santiago Peak. At 5,687 it is the highest point in Orange County. We set off on our 22 mile run in April of 2006.

2009-02-16T21:28:12Z

socaltrailgirl
My first summit of Santiago Peak. At 5,687 it is the highest point in Orange County. We set off on our 22 mile run in April of 2006.

This sign directs you from the parking area to the Holy Jim Trailhead.

2009-02-16T21:25:48Z

socaltrailgirl
This sign directs you from the parking area to the Holy Jim Trailhead.

Not sure the name of this road. You need to run it briefly and pass some houses/cabins before reaching the trailhead.

2009-02-16T21:25:50Z

socaltrailgirl
Not sure the name of this road. You need to run it briefly and pass some houses/cabins before reaching the trailhead.

This is maybe Holy Jim Creek?

2009-08-11T00:23:48Z

socaltrailgirl
This is maybe Holy Jim Creek?

Trailhead marking

2009-02-16T21:27:57Z

socaltrailgirl
Trailhead marking

Me, Autumn & Lisa ready for a long day on the trails.

2009-08-11T00:43:46Z

socaltrailgirl
Me, Autumn & Lisa ready for a long day on the trails.

Tricky crossing if you don't want to get wet

2009-02-16T21:28:07Z

socaltrailgirl
Tricky crossing if you don't want to get wet

Remember to duck

2009-08-11T00:40:33Z

socaltrailgirl
Remember to duck

Trail marking. If you run the Twin Peaks ultra this is where you'd turn left unless you want to add some unnecessary mileage. Turn right if you are out for a casual run or hike and want to ...

2009-02-16T21:23:43Z

socaltrailgirl
Trail marking. If you run the Twin Peaks ultra this is where you'd turn left unless you want to add some unnecessary mileage. Turn right if you are out for a casual run or hike and want to ...

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-02-16T21:23:10Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-02-16T21:25:22Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-02-16T21:24:05Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Lisa and one of the many switchbacks on the way up to Main Divide Road.

2009-02-16T21:25:35Z

socaltrailgirl
Lisa and one of the many switchbacks on the way up to Main Divide Road.

Rocky terrain near the top of Holy Jim

2009-02-16T21:28:08Z

socaltrailgirl
Rocky terrain near the top of Holy Jim

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-02-16T21:27:28Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Some of the trail gets a little rough near the top. We saw some hikers coming down from the summit around this point that must have left REALLY early. It was only around 9AM here I think.

2009-02-16T21:25:02Z

socaltrailgirl
Some of the trail gets a little rough near the top. We saw some hikers coming down from the summit around this point that must have left REALLY early. It was only around 9AM here I think.

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-02-16T21:25:24Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-02-16T21:27:55Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Section of Holy Jim only a few hundred meters from the top.

2009-02-16T21:28:07Z

socaltrailgirl
Section of Holy Jim only a few hundred meters from the top.

We made it to Main Divide Road but still had 3 miles of climbing ahead of us which we walked mostly.

2009-02-16T21:23:12Z

socaltrailgirl
We made it to Main Divide Road but still had 3 miles of climbing ahead of us which we walked mostly.

Lisa and Autumn making their way up Main Divide

2009-02-16T21:26:23Z

socaltrailgirl
Lisa and Autumn making their way up Main Divide

Running into the fog

2009-02-16T21:25:22Z

socaltrailgirl
Running into the fog

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-02-16T21:26:01Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Main Divide Road stretches for many, many miles across the mountain range

2009-02-16T21:27:25Z

socaltrailgirl
Main Divide Road stretches for many, many miles across the mountain range

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-02-16T21:25:51Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Down there is Lake Elsinore in Riverside County on the other side of the mountain range.

2009-02-16T21:25:45Z

socaltrailgirl
Down there is Lake Elsinore in Riverside County on the other side of the mountain range.

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-02-16T21:28:47Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-02-16T21:27:44Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Through the fog you can see the radio towers that make the summit.

2009-02-16T21:24:28Z

socaltrailgirl
Through the fog you can see the radio towers that make the summit.

Finally at the summit! We ran into a couple guys here who told us not to tell them we ran up or it would make them look bad. Oh well :)

2009-02-16T21:27:34Z

socaltrailgirl
Finally at the summit! We ran into a couple guys here who told us not to tell them we ran up or it would make them look bad. Oh well :)

This is the view looking out over Orange County from the top. Apparently we picked a foggy day.

2009-02-16T21:25:56Z

socaltrailgirl
This is the view looking out over Orange County from the top. Apparently we picked a foggy day.

View from the top.

2009-02-16T21:25:49Z

socaltrailgirl
View from the top.

The summit is littered with radio towers

2009-02-16T21:27:28Z

socaltrailgirl
The summit is littered with radio towers

Lisa talking to her kids. It was FREEZING up here! I'm guessing the temp was in the 30's and guess who forget her gloves in the car?

2009-02-16T21:24:13Z

socaltrailgirl
Lisa talking to her kids. It was FREEZING up here! I'm guessing the temp was in the 30's and guess who forget her gloves in the car?

Proof we made it. You can kind of see us through the fog. Though I guess we could have taken this picture anywhere :)

2009-02-16T21:21:24Z

socaltrailgirl
Proof we made it. You can kind of see us through the fog. Though I guess we could have taken this picture anywhere :)

Coming down from the summit. Our legs and fingers were frozen. Autumn took a spill along this section that later required stitches but she toughed it out! We ran into those guys again at ...

2009-02-16T21:23:19Z

socaltrailgirl
Coming down from the summit. Our legs and fingers were frozen. Autumn took a spill along this section that later required stitches but she toughed it out! We ran into those guys again at ...

Coming Down

2009-02-16T21:27:56Z

socaltrailgirl
Coming Down

Still coming

2009-02-16T21:26:04Z

socaltrailgirl
Still coming

Don't know how he died, but this is sad.

2009-02-16T21:26:19Z

socaltrailgirl
Don't know how he died, but this is sad.

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-02-16T21:26:21Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Looking over a cloudy Orange County

2009-02-16T21:25:38Z

socaltrailgirl
Looking over a cloudy Orange County

Examining her big stick. This will beat off a mountain lion :)

2009-02-16T21:21:46Z

socaltrailgirl
Examining her big stick. This will beat off a mountain lion :)

After the mountain lion scare was over and we were a mile or two down the trail, Lisa reluctantly left her stick here.

2009-02-16T21:26:27Z

socaltrailgirl
After the mountain lion scare was over and we were a mile or two down the trail, Lisa reluctantly left her stick here.

Leaving the forest which means we are also almost at the end of our run.

2009-02-16T21:24:38Z

socaltrailgirl
Leaving the forest which means we are also almost at the end of our run.

A week after summiting Santiago Peak I was back up in the Santa Anna Mountain trails. This time climbing the very steep Modjeska Grade Road to get to the Santiago Trailhead.

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
A week after summiting Santiago Peak I was back up in the Santa Anna Mountain trails. This time climbing the very steep Modjeska Grade Road to get to the Santiago Trailhead.

This gate makes the entrance to Santiago Trail

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
This gate makes the entrance to Santiago Trail

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

The trail is mostly singletrack with some wider sections.

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
The trail is mostly singletrack with some wider sections.

Modjeska Canyon

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
Modjeska Canyon

The trail here is the start for the Harding Truck Trail.

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
The trail here is the start for the Harding Truck Trail.

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Santa Anna Mountains

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains

Vulture Craigs

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
Vulture Craigs

Top of the trail known as "The Luge"

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
Top of the trail known as "The Luge"

Looking down the Luge

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
Looking down the Luge

Santa Anna Mountains - The Luge

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains - The Luge

The Luge drops you onto Live Oak Canyon Road

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
The Luge drops you onto Live Oak Canyon Road

Santa Anna Mountains - The Luge

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
Santa Anna Mountains - The Luge

Looking up toward Vulture Craigs

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
Looking up toward Vulture Craigs

On Santiago Trail looking toward Harding Truck Trail - October 2006

2009-02-16T22:30:38Z

socaltrailgirl
On Santiago Trail looking toward Harding Truck Trail - October 2006

Looking across Modjeska Canyon

2009-02-16T22:27:41Z

socaltrailgirl
Looking across Modjeska Canyon

Looking back on Santiago Trail toward the hazy coast

2009-02-16T22:29:58Z

socaltrailgirl
Looking back on Santiago Trail toward the hazy coast

Looking toward the coast

2009-02-16T22:25:38Z

socaltrailgirl
Looking toward the coast

Modjeska Canyon - nestled in the Santa Anna Mountains

2009-02-16T22:27:48Z

socaltrailgirl
Modjeska Canyon - nestled in the Santa Anna Mountains

Harding Truck Trail seen from Santiago Trail

2009-02-16T22:28:18Z

socaltrailgirl
Harding Truck Trail seen from Santiago Trail

More of the Harding Truck Trail snaking its way up the mountainside

2009-02-16T22:29:57Z

socaltrailgirl
More of the Harding Truck Trail snaking its way up the mountainside

Harding Truck Trail

2009-02-16T22:26:49Z

socaltrailgirl
Harding Truck Trail

Harding Truck Trail

2009-02-16T22:30:20Z

socaltrailgirl
Harding Truck Trail

Santiago Trail Singletrack section

2009-02-16T22:25:00Z

socaltrailgirl
Santiago Trail Singletrack section

I live just to the left of the closest lake in this picture

2009-02-16T22:28:53Z

socaltrailgirl
I live just to the left of the closest lake in this picture

Going up. Much of the Santiago Trail is uphill. There are a few breaks along the way.

2009-02-16T22:29:37Z

socaltrailgirl
Going up. Much of the Santiago Trail is uphill. There are a few breaks along the way.

The ridge just before you start to see houses is part of Oneill Park

2009-02-16T22:28:45Z

socaltrailgirl
The ridge just before you start to see houses is part of Oneill Park

Turn around. This is just after our last uphill and turnaround. Heading down toward "the luge" trail and into Trabuco Canyon.

2009-02-16T22:27:33Z

socaltrailgirl
Turn around. This is just after our last uphill and turnaround. Heading down toward "the luge" trail and into Trabuco Canyon.

This is where we parked for our 22 mile trail run on 11/4/06

2009-08-08T05:22:10Z

socaltrailgirl
This is where we parked for our 22 mile trail run on 11/4/06

Waiting to run and a bit chilly. Jeff and Greg.

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Waiting to run and a bit chilly. Jeff and Greg.

Waiting to run. Nattie, Lisa, Jeff and Greg

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Waiting to run. Nattie, Lisa, Jeff and Greg

Up on Santiago Trail. Views of the fog.

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Up on Santiago Trail. Views of the fog.

Fog covers Modjeska Canyon

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Fog covers Modjeska Canyon

Nattie running up Santiago Trail

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Nattie running up Santiago Trail

Fog

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Fog

Fogjavascript:void(0);

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Fogjavascript:void(0);

And more fog...

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
And more fog...

Pete up on flag hill (or whatever its called)

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Pete up on flag hill (or whatever its called)

Me and the flags

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Me and the flags

Beautiful views of the Santa Anna Mountains are all along this trail. H

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Beautiful views of the Santa Anna Mountains are all along this trail. H

Trabuco Canyon and O'Neill park are down there just under the marine layer.

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Trabuco Canyon and O'Neill park are down there just under the marine layer.

Pete and Nattie walking up Santiago Trail

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Pete and Nattie walking up Santiago Trail

Ahh the views...

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Ahh the views...

Pete looking at our next destination - all the way up!!

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Pete looking at our next destination - all the way up!!

Nice mostly shaded section before Old Camp

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Nice mostly shaded section before Old Camp

This is Old Camp. 8 miles in from the Santiago trail head.

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
This is Old Camp. 8 miles in from the Santiago trail head.

There is a trail in here somewhere...

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
There is a trail in here somewhere...

Fall in the mountains. See - we "sorta" have season in Southern California :)

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Fall in the mountains. See - we "sorta" have season in Southern California :)

More from the Joplin Trail

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
More from the Joplin Trail

View from Joplin

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
View from Joplin

Pete climbing up one of the many "fun" section of this trail

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Pete climbing up one of the many "fun" section of this trail

At least the trail had some great scenary!

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
At least the trail had some great scenary!

Joplin trail comes out on Main Divide Roadn ear the top of this photo

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Joplin trail comes out on Main Divide Roadn ear the top of this photo

Another view from Joplin

2009-08-08T05:22:11Z

socaltrailgirl
Another view from Joplin