3S04 - Main Divide South - Santiago Peak (aka Saddleback Mountain)

Anthony Arvizu

100

Temporary Closure

Visited: 11/19/2022

Gate at waypoint 1 locked tight.

Frank The Tank

3100

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 07/11/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

High rating just due to the easy access close to home. If I ever install any new gear on my truck this is where I go test it out. Tried out my new bike rack here where I drove a bit fast to sandbag it, tested the new lift kit here, and hell I'll probably test my new wife.. here (jokes). Some cool offshoots to try out if you are new to offroading as well so you can choose and pick your adventure. Also prepare to see some normies in their road tires here trying to get to the top of Santiago Peak, just make sure to drive fast so you don't get stuck helping the Mercedez SUV with street tires out... Good spot to just come for a day if you don't want to commit to driving out of the LA BASIN...

William Okura

950

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 06/09/2022

Great place for locals as well as folks from a far. Panoramic views in every direction in many spots. Best views from Santiago Peak. Been through many times from various directions in truck, suv, mtb, etc... There are some steep sections in this stretch with loose rocks that may be challenging without 4wd.

Rj Flores

100

Temporary Closure

Visited: 02/25/2022

Locked tight

George Deyarmond

4400

Temporary Closure

Visited: 01/30/2022

Closed and gate locked.

Cameron

100

Temporary Closure

Rated 1/5

Visited: 01/23/2022

Closed

Josh Noesser

Official Crew

110800

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 10/31/2021

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

The trail has been reopened per forest website

Jonathan Casselman

100

Open

Visited: 10/30/2021

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Gate was open as of yesterday. I wasn’t planning on going all the way up that day. Went about half an mile down the road and turned around.

Chad

100

Temporary Closure

Visited: 10/09/2021

Still closed at the south entrance past Blue Jay Campground (Long Canyon Road/Forest Rte 3S04)

Charles Quarto

700

Temporary Closure

Visited: 06/06/2021

Came through on the Main Divide Mid and the gate was closed.

Matthew Schulzki

100

Temporary Closure

Visited: 04/11/2021

Visited this morning. Entrance from North Main Divide is closed by order of the USFS in response to the Holy Fire in October 2020. Trail is officially subject to closure until October 9th 2021. Based on reviews, seems to be intermittently open. Don't bank on this trail being open consistently until October.

Derek Fox

200

Open

Visited: 03/06/2021

Trail was open and very busy! Saw a few SxS and quads. Please understand basic off roading etiquette before charging up this trail. Have fun and be safe everyone!

Kevin Weis

400

Temporary Closure

Visited: 02/20/2021

Went to try it today. Closed. I looked up the Cleveland forest area on the government site and they did say she roads were closed because of fires from last year. But I thought we would be open. :(

Dustin gilbert

100

Temporary Closure

Visited: 02/10/2021

This has been closed for at least a year. I've been wanting to take this to the peak, but evidently part is washed out. Total BS.

Tj Sleboda

3800

Temporary Closure

Rated 1/5

Visited: 01/28/2021

Gate closed. Hikers, mountain bikers, h and motos were going around the gate but its officially closed to all use. Gate said closed due to fire.

Josh Noesser

Official Crew

110800

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 01/13/2021

Reports show the trail has been reopened.

Anthony J

2800

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 12/26/2020

Trail is fairly easy, but you will definitely need 4wd to make it to the peak or lookout point. There are a about 3 routed out sections at the top but are short. My stock Jeep Gladiator did fine.

Aaron Houk

1600

Temporary Closure

Visited: 08/14/2020

Based on @Jaheep4x4's review, I tried to run his route backwards coming in from Silverado Canyon. The gate just prior to Santiago Peak (Waypoint 4) on this route was locked. If you can access this trail at all, the gate at the top is locked. You won't be able to make it to Santiago Peak using this route. You can access Santiago Peak via 3S04

ethan w

100

Temporary Closure

Rated 4/5

Visited: 08/08/2020

Still Closed, as well as most surrounding trails near the entrance, it seems.

@Jaheep4x4

600

Partially Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 07/25/2020

BEWARE - Spot 1 of this trail, the entrance, at the top of Blue Jay campground area is still CLOSED. You CAN NOT run this trail as listed here. Found out the hard way last weekend. Backtracked all the way around to Silverado Canyon and made it to the peak with no issues though. I didn't try to see how far back down towards Blue Jay I could make it though as I was short on time. SUPER CROWDED on the weekends and some real boneheads out there. Great view and an awesome spot to have a "beverage" with yer dog.

Joe

5600

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 06/26/2020

Breathtaking Trail!!! We started at 5S04 Maple Springs into the Main Divide to climb up to Santiago Peak and back down through Bedford Motorway. The trail is easy going until you start the climb into the Control Towers, that's the only section I would advise high clearance and 4x4. Otherwise, you can run this whole trail from OC to Temescal Valley in a 2WD vehicle during dry situations. It's a beautiful trail so pack lunch and make your way to the peak before noon, or at sunset cause you won't be disappointed. All gates were open during our visit ( June 27, 2020 ) and make sure to be careful around blind switchbacks because the OC side of this trail all the way to the peak is very busy with hikers, bikers & other 4x4 enthusiasts. Once you get into the middle section of the Main Divide into the Temescal Valley side, it gets nice and quiet on the trail!

sdde4n

750

Temporary Closure

Visited: 12/21/2018

I called the Trabuco Ranger District office and the closure of just about everything in this ranger district could last years, yes, years. Maple Springs and Bedford are the only things open according to this ranger. Please call to confirm before wasting your time up here. Their website is grossly out of date so calling is the only way to know for sure.

robert

850

Temporary Closure

Rated 1/5

Visited: 09/08/2018

Road is closed from Maple Springs/Bedford Rd to the west and Indian/Ortega Hwy to the east due to the Holy Fire. Only those with keys can access it for the time being, no date on reopening at this time.

Robert

Official Crew

34450

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 07/25/2018

I entered the trail from the north coming up Maple Springs. A rough road at times especially when approaching Santiago peak. There were many utility pickups using the road, some pulling trailers that were doing work on the radio towers at Santiago Peak so two wheel drive but high clearance is needed. Great views looking east and west. 78 degrees at the top so nice respite from the heatwave below..

Qaisar Iqbal

200

Open

Visited: 09/24/2017

I had my assent to the Santiago peak. On the way up i took the Maple Spring Road - Silverado Canyon - 5S04 and then took the Main Divide - Middle Section to Saddleback - 3S04 all the way up to Santiago peak. Weather was nice in mid 60s and clear view of OC and riverside county. I stayed on the peak for like an hour and then on the way down i took 3S04 - Main Divide South all the way down to Ortega pkwy 74. Being on my first trail along with my new 2017 Toyota Tacoma 2017 Off Road i enjoyed every minute of the drive. i would recommend it to every beginner.

Rob

1950

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 04/09/2017

Great little trail, especially for those living in OC or Riverside. Not a challenging trail, but the scenery is impressive, and you get very different terrain as you go, as well as different trees and shrubbery. The view from the top is spectacular on clear days. Check to make sure this is open following the Holy Fire in August 2018.

3S04 - Main Divide South - Santiago Peak (aka Saddleback Mountain)

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Trail Navigation

1. Trailhead - Southern End (0 mi)

2. Stay Left At Indian Truck Trail (7.5 mi)

3. Bear Springs (Waterfall) (9.9 mi)

4. Santiago Peak and 360 Degree View (16 mi)

5. Lookout Point (16 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Josh Noesser

3S04 - Main Divide South - Santiago Peak (aka Saddleback Mountain)

Trail Information

Highlights

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Recommended Vehicle:

Concerns:

Summary:

Community Consensus

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3 votes

0 votes

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Trail Navigation

1. Trailhead - Southern End (0 mi)

2. Stay Left At Indian Truck Trail (7.5 mi)

3. Bear Springs (Waterfall) (9.9 mi)

4. Santiago Peak and 360 Degree View (16 mi)

5. Lookout Point (16 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Josh Noesser

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