Driving Main Divide Road to Santiago Peak in California

Santiago Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.734m (5,689ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Orange and Riverside counties in the U.S. state of California.

Can you drive to Santiago Peak in California?

The road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called Main Divide Road. This is a fairly simple trail, though narrow with some loose, uneven surfaces. Your stock 4WD should do a good job here but most SUVs or trucks could drive the trail with no problem.

Is the road to Santiago Peak in California steep?

The road to the summit is very steep, hitting a 22% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at Ortega Highway, the ascent is 24.94km (15.5 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 1.006 meters. The average gradient is 4.03%.

Is the road to Santiago Peak in California open?

Set high in the Santa Ana Mountains, within the Cleveland National Forest, to the south of Modjeska Peak, the road is subject to closure depending on weather and fire danger level. During some winters, snow has fallen on the peak.

Is the road to Santiago Peak in California worth it?

Tucked away in the southern part of California, the drive offers stunning views spanning from Catalina Island to Orange and Riverside counties. On a clear day, when you reach the summit, you will have views clear out to the ocean (sometimes even Catalina Island) and all the way out to the San Jacinto mountains and Orange and Riverside counties at the same time.

What’s on the top of Santiago Peak in California?

The top of the peak is crowned with many microwave and telecommunication antennas. The peak is frequently referred to as Saddleback Mountain by locals.

How long does it take to get to the top of Santiago Peak?

To drive the back country road without stopping will take most people between 1.5 and 2 hours. The peak, Orange County's highest Summit, is named after Santiago Creek.

Pic: Joel Sartain