SA Report: Just another of our public services
Trip Date: 3/24/13
Location: Cleveland National Forest (Trabuco District)
Permit/Pass: Display Day Pass ($5), Forest Adventure Pass or National Parks Pass in car.
Directions: From the 241 Tollroad in Orange County take the E. Santiago Canyon Rd. exit heading east toward the town of Silverado. Keep an eye out for the inconspicuous left turn onto Silverado Canyon Rd. Follow Silverado Canyon to its end at the Maple Springs visitor center, where there is a gate that, when open, leads onto Maple Springs Rd. Follow Maple Springs for about four miles to where the pavement ends at a tight bend in the road. There is enough room for a few cars to park here. Be sure to hang the placard with your daypass or permit before heading up.
Trail sequence: Maple Springs Truck trail / Main Divide road / unnamed connector trail / unnamed service road / summit / unnamed service road/ Main Divide road / Maple Springs TT
Type: Out & back with loop in middle
Distance: 12.8 miles
Elevation: Min. - 2912', Max. - 5503' (listed peak height is 5496')
Profile:
Rating: Moderate/difficult (summer heat raises the challenge)
Synopsis: This hike travels mostly on truck trails so expect dusty conditions, even when there is no vehicle traffic. You meander through pleasant chaparral along canyon sides and ridges. A side trail eventually allows departure from the road and into some more pristine habitat. The peak is small and uncluttered (unlike Santiago) with terrific views on clear days.
Turn by Turn:
-- Head up the road which follows a northwesterly direction at first. It then turns and trends generally south before turning back to the west/northwest again. The road twists up the west side of the canyon heading south again until it takes a few switchbacks and hits a plateau leading to a junction with Main Divide road.
-- Hike past the Maple Springs gate and up a short rise to meet Main Divide road. Turn right (south) and walk past the Main Divide gate, watching for a steep little single-track trail heading up and away from the road to the left. Take this trail.
-- Follow the trail as it climbs in a southerly direction until it meets a junction with the service road that leads to the peak. Turn left (east) onto the road.
-- Follow the service road as it switchbacks a couple of times before hitting the summit.
-- Taking the service road back down keep an eye out for the single-track trail on your right. If you take this trail back you'll likely end up with a hike of eleven (plus) miles. Continuing on the service road to meet Main Divide obligates a thirteen mile trip.
-- After the service road junctions with Main Divide road, turn right (southwest) and follow Main Divide back to the junction with Maple Springs TT. Turn left (west) and walk past the gate onto Maple Springs trail.
-- Follow Maple Springs back to your car.
Photo gallery: Flickr