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 Reporter |
Summary: This trail takes you over an ancient route with a view of the ocean on clear days and multitudinous wildflowers in the Spring. The "vultures" that roosted on the conglomerate cliffs and minarets were California Condors. Like the last wild California Grizzly -- who died five miles away at the mouth of Trabuco Canyon -- the condors who nested here were exterminated by farmers with guns and poisoned carcasses. The ridgeline trail to the crags is unshaded: bring a hat and sunscreen. Look for fossils in the rocks on the north-facing cuts and on the trail itself. Watch out for mountain lions and oblivious trail bikers. Trailhead: From Interstate 5, take the El Toro Road exit in Lake Forest. Head North/Northeast up El Toro Road towards the mountains. At Cook's Corner, take the left fork. Proceed to your second paved right which is Modjeska Grade. Park near the bottom of the hill and walk up to the Santiago Truck Trail gate. (Lat:33.7025 Lon:-117.6355) Trail Guides for Vulture Crags Santiago Trail, Cleveland NF: Best Easy Day Hikes Orange County by Randy Vogel (Falcon Publishing Company) Afoot & Afield in Orange County by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Horses, Ranger Contact: Trabuco Ranger District, Cleveland NF, 909-736-1811 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Joel Sax, who has posted 51 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 2 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by ZN on 1/13/2008 This trail has been closed for use after the recent wildfires. Please check with the ranger office before planning to visit. 
Reviewed by JJ on 2/27/2007 A fun hike, definitely recommended. Perfect for a clear winter day, I could see out past Catalina and Palos Verdes. The ridge route is overgrown in a couple of places, but not hard to follow - plus you won't be listening for mountain bikes on the rougher bits. Regarding BP & SP's comment below, that was Harding Truck Trail from Modjeska Canyon, not this hike!
Reviewed by JZR on 5/20/2006 Good trail, plenty of wild flowers made it interesting. A little too much marine fog to see the ocean, but on a clear day I wouldnt doubt its there. Watchout for those bikers. 
Reviewed by B.P. & S.P. on 12/12/2004 Well maintained route thought not much of wilderness should be expected. We could not see the ocean though. May be the next reviewer can add from what point one could see the ocean! There is a small museum and a small wildlife sanctuary at the begining of the trail. Nice and quite,not visited by even a few..
Reviewed by Klemmer on 7/16/2004 Have hiked this several times in the last year. Obviously, we like it. It can get hot in the summer, and about two years ago, a hiker died on the trail on a very hot day (possibly due in part to dehydration). For a more intereresting hike, go left near the start, toward the electrical towers, which will take you over the hill tops, rather than around them. Keep taking the steeper trails off the fire road - they all meet up again after the hills. Lots less bikers, better work out. Fire road down is what we usually do. Will add climb & descent, but not distance. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Orange County Hiking, Orange County Trails, Orange County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||