Hike Santiago Peak & Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs

16 miles - Hard Effort
Or: 8 miles from dirt parking lot
7-9 Hours (Total)
3,500 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 5,689 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

If you want to bag both peaks of Saddleback Mountain, Modjeska and Santiago, the route from Maple Springs is a great option. In this guide I'll show you how to park at the end of the paved road and then hike through the heart of the Santa Anas to the summits. The first few miles of the hike are on a dirt road, but then we'll switch onto rugged singletrack. There's a lot of confusion around hiking this route, and this guide should clear it all up and make it easy.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions From Maple Springs
Parking & Road Conditions for Maple Springs
Tips & Recommendations for the Hike

Quick Links: Cleveland National Forest - Weather Forecast - Top Gear Picks (Feb 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Where is Maple Springs Trailhead?

If you've looked at other guides, there are usually multiple starting points listed for Maple Springs or Silverado Canyon. I'm going to start this guide at the spot you can safely get to with a low-clearance 2WD vehicle in all conditions. You drive to the end of the paved road and then start hiking.

Start by driving to the Maple Springs Trailhead / Visitor Center in Silverado. Use this address in your driving GPS:
Maple Springs Visitor Center, 31332 Silverado Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA 92676

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 3 — When you get to the trailhead, drive through the white gate. If the weather is bad or there is a high fire risk, this gate can be closed. Check the park website before you go. Most of the time it's open.

The point we're ultimately going to is where the pavement ends, which can be found here: 33.745171, -117.544064.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 1 — Once you drive past the gate at Maple Springs, the road becomes narrower and has sections with dips and potholes. You might have to go slow at points and avoid potholes, but it is all paved.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 4 — When you get to the hairpin turn at the end of the pavement, park on the left by the boulder. There's space for about 3 cars. This isn't a popular hike, and you should be fine parking here, but if not, there are several wide sections of road before this on the paved section where you can park.

If you have a high(er) clearance vehicle and want to cut some mileage off the hike, you can drive about 4.5 miles past this point to a large parking area (informally) known as Four Corners. The condition of the road varies over time. I believe fire crews keep the road passable; otherwise, it's not graded or maintained. I've seen Subarus do the road, and I'm sure other 2WD have tackled it as well. But if you want to play it safe, park at the end of the pavement.

Gear For the Hike

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 2 — Bugs can be intense when it's warmer. The silly bug head net will preserve your sanity.

This long hike is mainly exposed and offers no water along the way. Bring at least 3L of water.
If you're unfamiliar with the Santa Ana's, they can get very hot, sometimes into the 100Fs. The hike is best done when temps are cooler.
The singletrack portions of this hike can be slightly overgrown. Having long pants and sleeves can save you from some abrasion.

I waste my time with lousy hiking gear so you don't have to. Only the winners get onto my gear page. There's no fluff, sponsorships, or promotions. It's just gear I personally use, have tested, and recommend. Right now I'm liking my inReach Mini 2, Garmin Epix, and Lone Peak 6 shoes.
.
My February 2023 Top Gear Picks

Maple Springs to Saddleback Trail Maps

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Free Nav Tools: GaiaGPS - AllTrails

Guides to Help You Navigate

How To Use the AllTrails App (Beginners)

Hiking With Gaia GPS For Beginners

How-To: Using Routes, Tracks, and Waypoints for Garmin Outdoors GPS

How To Read a Topographic Map

Elevation Profile

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Elevation — Here's the one-way elevation profile. It's pretty much uphill to Modjeska, down to the saddle, and back up. On the return, you can skip the ascent to Modjeska.

3D Map

Maple Springs to Saddleback Hike Directions

Stay in Touch: Monthly Email - New YouTube Videos - Instagram

Video Directions

Turn by Turn Directions

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 5 — Start hiking up the dirt Maple Springs Road from the parking area.

You will be sharing the road with vehicles. Usually I'll see a few 4x4 and motocross bikes. Sometimes more, sometimes none. You'll generally hear them coming before they reach you. Do the smart thing and move to the side to let them pass.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 6 — Off to the left you'll see the hills and approach to Bedford Peak.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 7 — If you look at some maps, you'll see a hiking trail going straight up from here, intersecting Maple Springs Road in a few places. I wish it was in better shape, but it's very overgrown in some spots, and brought my pace down to a crawl. I found it easier to hike up the road.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 8 — As you climb Modjeska Peak looms in front of you.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 9 — You'll climb through some nice pines along the way, passing the lush areas of Bigcone Springs and Maple Springs (toward the top).

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 10 — The high peaks of Angeles National Forest come into view as you climb.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 11 — You'll pass another portion of the cutoff trail as you wind up on Maple Springs Road. The upper section of the singletrack here is easier than the lower section, but again, I find it easier to just stay on the road.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 12 — Soon the foot of Modjeska comes into view and you're approaching the end of Maple Springs.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 13 — Keep straight, avoiding the small spur to the right.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 14 — As you approach the saddle you'll see San Jacinto in the distance.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 15 — This is the area known as Four Corners. Hopefully when you arrive, there won't be 4x4s doing donuts here. Go straight through and make the right onto Main Divide Road.

If you choose to drive up Maple Springs Road on the dirt road, the parking is here on the right.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 16 — As you leave Four Corners you pass the gate for Maple Springs Road, which you just hiked up.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 17 — When you make the right you'll see a signpost for Main Divide Road.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 18 — Just after the gate in the last photo, look for a steep singletrack off to the left.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 19 — Now you're on decent singletrack. It's usually a little overgrown. Having long pants helps. But otherwise it's not too bad.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 20 — Views open up to the west as you hike above Main Divide Road.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 22 — Keep hiking uphill. This stretch is probably the steepest on the hike as it goes through a burn area from the 2018 Holy Fire.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 23 — There are some spots where the trail goes into shaded areas covered by oak.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 24 — When the trail spits out onto the Modjeska Peak access road, make the left.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 25 — Go straight up the road toward the peak. Notice the singletrack trail on the right, which is where we'll continue after bagging the peak.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 26 — If you are a masochist, go up the steep part. Otherwise take the scenic route to the left.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 27 — This little section of trail is one of my favorites on the hike. It's mellow with nice views.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 28 — As you twist around you'll see Santiago Peak in front of you. That's our next stop. Otherwise continue right toward the Modjeska Peak summit.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 29 — Here we are at the summit of Modjeska Peak!

This peak is named after Helena Modjeska, who lived in Santiago Canyon. Previously it was known as the "North Peak" of "Old Saddleback."

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 30 — There's sometimes a summit register or sign, but no USGS survey marker.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 31 — Soak it in and then head back the way you came to hit the next peak, Santiago.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 32 — When you get back to the junction where you came out to the access road, make the left onto the singletrack that I mentioned earlier.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 33 — Head down the singletrack toward Saddleback Saddle.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 34 — When you reach the saddle, hop onto Main Divide Road for a hot second.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 35 — And then bear left once over the saddle to start another singletrack section.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 36 — Go through the gate at the start.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 37 — And start climbing up the singletrack toward Santiago Peak.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 38 — You'll pass the wreckage of a 4x4. I believe this is the truck that rolled off the road to the peak in 1988, killing 2 people.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 39 — The trail ends at the road. Go through the gate and bear right.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 40 — Hike the short distance up Main Divide Road.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 41 — Hike through the gate,

What's up with all the towers up here? The first one went up in 1946, and today there are 20. Over the years the antennas have served different uses, from private industry to Air Force communications. Today most serve as cellular data links between Southern California. Private users pay leasing fees to the US Forest Service to use this land.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 42 — You'll pass a sign with some mileages on it. My favorite way to hike Santiago Peak is via Holy Jim.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 43 — When you get to the mess of antenna, bear right.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 44 — And then take the next right, following the main trail up.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 45 — Look for this building, the top-most one, as you climb. The summit is behind it.

Does the last photo's building look a little like a fire tower structure? The first fire tower on Santiago Peak was built in 1914, and the structure in front of you was the last iteration of a tower, built in 1951. Since then the fire tower watch area has been replaced with radio antennas, but the structure dates to that 1951 tower.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 46 — Look for the small dirt path past the building.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 47 — And here's the summit!

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 48 — Enjoy the views into the Santa Ana Mountains from the peak.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 49 — To get back, simply retrace your path up. You can probably skip the spur back up to Modjeska unless you're feeling particularly frisky.

Hike Santiago Peak Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs Directions 50 — That's it! See you out on the trails!

Related Guides

Hike Holy Jim Falls Trail

Modjeska Peak Hike

Hike the Bedford Peak Trail (Orange County)

Saddleback Mountain Hike (Santiago Peak)

Hikes In and Around Orange County

Cleveland National Forest Hiking

Hikes In and Around Riverside County

Sierra Club 100 Peaks

Popular Guides

How to Check If There Is Snow On the Trail

Backpacking For Beginners: Hiker → Backpacker

Hiking Boots or Shoes: Do I Really Need Hiking Boots?

When to Initiate a Backcountry Rescue (with Your Garmin InReach, PLB, or SPOT)

This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).

Don't Miss Out

Monthly(ish) Email Newsletter - A list of new guides and important info for hikers.
YouTube - Subscribe for new video notifications. The best way to get notified every time a new guide goes up.
Instagram - I occasionally share pretty pictures from my hikes, broadcast live from the trail, and let you know about new guides.