As seen in the Nobody Hikes in L.A. Guidebook!
Southwestern view from Modjeska Peak
Mt. Baldy from just below the Modjeska summit
Text and photography copyright 2010 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. The author does not take any responsibility for injuries sustained during hikes or walks on the routes described here. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.
Modjeska Peak
- Location: Santa Ana Mountains, eastern Orange County. From Santiago Canyon Road, turn east on Silverado Canyon Road. Drive through the tiny town of Silverado. Four miles later, you will pass through a parking lot for the Silverado Motorway trail. Leave the parking lot to the east, on Maple Springs Road. This one-lane road goes in and out of a stream before turning to dirt at 3.5 miles. There is a small turnout for parking at the hairpin turn when the road becomes dirt. A National Forest Service Adventure Pass ($5 for a day or $30 for the year) is required for parking. Click here to purchase.
- Agency: Cleveland National Forest, Trabuco District
- Distance: 10.5 miles (out and back)
- Elevation gain: 2,600 feet
- Suggested time: 6.5 hours
- Difficulty Rating: PG-13 (elevation gain, distance)
- Best season: November to June
- USGS topo map: “Santiago Peak”
- Recommended gear: insect repellent
; sunblock
; sun hat
- More information: here
- Rating: 9
Modjeska is the shorter and pointier of the two peaks that comprise “Old Saddleback”, the feature that is visible from all of Orange County and from as far away as the Santa Monica Mountains and the San Bernardino National Forest. The 5,496 foot summit, like many things in Orange County, is named after the Shakespearean actress Helena Modjeska (1840-1909). While summer temperatures in the Santa Anas can hit three digits, this trail is primarily on northern-facing slopes, and with an early start on a cool, clear day, the hike can be very enjoyable. If possible, hike on a week day, when the noise from the motorized vehicles that often use the trail is likely to be less. One thing to be careful of however are flies and bugs, which can be particularly annoying during the mid-day hours.
The dirt road climbs up the side of Modjeska, giving views of the northern Santa Ana summits such as Bald Peak and Bedford Peak. While the lower portion of the trail is exposed, higher up you enter the cover of oaks and pines. After 4 miles and 1,600 feet of elevation gain, the trail arrives at Main Divide Road. Take a left and then a quick right, past a gate, and then almost immediately pick up an obscure single-track trail climbing off to the left. A short but steep stretch (gaining 800 feet in less than a mile) takes you to another dirt road. Take a left, and walk the last quarter mile, switchbacking twice, to the Modjeska summit.
Although Modjeska is shorter than Santiago, the view is arguably better (due to Santiago’s many antenna installations). On a clear day, the visibility includes the ocean, Mt. Baldy, San Jacinto, San Gorgonio and more.
VERY COOL BLOG!
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more.
Love the southwestern view pic! Thumbs up on the blog!!
I dont understand the address. HElP Plz
Not sure what you mean, street address or web address?
Any idea if Maple Springs is open for hiking right now after the storms?
Not sure – you might need to check with the Trabuco District, or maybe Caltrans.
I am up for the challenge of Modjeska this year. I am sure to be rewarded with all you can eat sushi, right????
Better believe it!
Great blog David! Just wanted to share with others that Maple Springs is open for hiking now.
Their website still says closed but we confirmed with the park ranger. I advise anyone to do the same before planning the hike. We’ve been eagerly waiting for Maple Springs to open for over a month. Yay
Glad you like the blog. Thanks for the update too – I’m doing Modjeska again today, interestingly, and it’s good to know it’s open. It might not have been a bad idea for me to check first – that didn’t even occur to me.
Where’s my sushi, hmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
The bug situation was out of control yesterday. I think it is a spring thing and the swarms only got worse as we neared the summit. Bring your back woods super strong bug repellant and a bandanna to cover your mouth and nose if you need it! I am covered in bites when I missed with the DEET.
Thanks M Fatale! You saved us from the protein feast. Bugs love me but I came prepared and brought bug spray and bandanas.
Thanks again David! We enjoyed this hike very much. It was definitely a challenge since the steep incline started immediately. Funny enough a friend’s friend named Mo joined us and was so slow guess what he was dubbed after the hike?! Haha
There was a rattler at the peak, scary but really beautiful. Hubby got good pix. Can send you copies if you want.
Thanks for reading Kristine – congrats to you and “Mo-Jeska” and your husband and other friends for making the summit.
Climbed Modjeska yesterday, July 23rd, perfect trail directions thank you very much. It was very hot and we were the only hikers all day, lots of motorcycles. Our last conditioning hike before we do Half Dome on August 2nd. Thanks again for the great trail guides so far I have done four of your long hikes and haven’t been lost yet. We did Mount Baldy on July 2nd and I didn’t look at the difficult rating on that one and it kicked our butts but we made it to the top from Manker Flats in less than 4 hours and hiked the full distance 12.5 miles. It gave us more confidence to do Half Dome. I’ll post when we accomplish Half Dome….
Thanks for reading. Good luck on your Half Dome hike!