Modjeska Peak Hike

15 miles - Hard Effort
8 Hours (Total)
4,820 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 5,499 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

The Modjeska Peak hike is challenging - long, steep, and sometimes primitive. The hike climbs to the second highest point in Orange County, Modjeska Peak. Modjeska Peak, at 5,499 feet, is the lower peak in Saddleback Mountain. The highest peak (and other peak in Saddleback Mountain) is Santiago Peak. The actual summit is undeveloped and much nicer than nearby Santiago Peak. This is a challenging hike. Don't try this hike without a good level of fitness.

In this Guide:

Modjeska Peak Hike Directions
Modjeska Peak Trail Maps
Directions to the Hike

Quick Links:
Parks Pass - Park Website - Weather Forecast - My Apr 2024 Gear

Oh, and Modjeska Peak was named after the famous Shakespearian actor, Helena Modjeska. She emigrated from Poland, won acclaim in the USA, and eventually passed in Newport Beach in 1909.

Some folks are getting a ticket when parking at the trailhead in this guide (and others are not). I'll post an update to this guide shortly, but for now, to avoid a ticket, try parking at Cook's Corner and taking this route to the summit. Or hike Modjeska from Maple Springs.

Getting to Modjeska Peak

The trailhead and parking is a little tricky, there's not a clean Google Maps address.

Use this address in your GPS: 31647-31741 Trabuco Creek Rd, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679.

Here's the actual latitude and longitude link. You are going to park at the junction on Trabuco Creek Road.

There are some small parking areas along the side of the road here. It's not a popular trailhead, and I've never seen it full. There's a concrete barrier to get to the trail now, just cross over it after you park.

You need a parking pass for the Cleveland National Forest. I use the affordable National Parks Pass, which gets me in every national park, national monument, and national forest. You can also use an (Southern California only) Adventure Pass, or buy a $5 day permit from the ranger's office.

Gear for the Hike

This is a long, tough, backcountry hike. You should bring at least 3L of water, more if it's hot out. This hike has shady sections but can get very hot in the summer. I would also bring insect repellant, bugs can be intense in the summer months.

If you want to camp, there's a fire pit on the summit of Modjeska Peak, a nice clearing, and great views. It's obvious that people have done some backcountry camping here.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Modjeska Peak Trail Maps

Most maps have an incorrect path for the Joplin Truck Trail, the main trail for this hike. The GPX file in this hike has the correct route.
There are more mountain bikers than hikers on the Modjeska Peak hike. Give them a wide berth, the trail is narrow.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Modjeska Peak Hike 3d map — There's a ton of climbing as you basically go straight up to one of the tallest peaks in the Santa Ana mountains.

Modjeska Peak Hike elevation — The hike to Modjeska Peak is generally very steep. There's a short downhill section in the middle where you can catch your breath. Be careful on the downhill return. The steepness is extreme at parts. I strongly advise using hiking poles.

Modjeska Peak Hike Directions

Modjeska Peak Hike parking — There isn’t a parking lot, but you can park anywhere on the side of the road. The trailhead starts on the left hand side of the dirt road, in an area popular with 4x4s.

Modjeska Peak Hike trailhead — The hike starts where the dirt road goes off to the left, across the road from where you parked. Hike through the 4×4 area and make the immediate left to start the hike.

Modjeska Peak Hike trail — The 4×4 road climbs sharply. Keep an eye out for trucks that wrecked off the road (look closely on the right of this picture). This area is popular with off-roaders, but you'll be away from any craziness shortly.

Modjeska Peak Hike trail goes straight — At about 0.7 miles, ignore the 4×4 road to the left and keep hiking straight.

More wrecked trucks litter the side of the trail.

Modjeska Peak Hike trail passes memorial — At about 1.6 miles, you pass a memorial. The trail is pretty steep.

At about 1.8 miles, after a particularly steep stretch, you reach the intersection with the Joplin Truck Trail. Hike to the right on this trail.

Modjeska Peak Hike trail intersection — At about 3.3 miles, you reach an intersection. Go straight through and start to descend towards Old Camp on the Joplin Truck Trail.

At the bottom of the descent, the trail reaches the remote Old Camp. Continue hiking through the camp.

gps watch — If you have a GPS map, you might notice that the trail doesn’t match up with the official trail path. Just continue on the trail, some official maps are incorrect on this stretch. My GPX has the corrected route.

Modjeska Peak Hike views — The trail is very steep. Don’t forget to stop and look behind you as the views open up.

There’s one section of the trail that goes through some gnarled trees. It's pretty cool.

main divide road — After about 6.1 miles, you arrive at the Main Divide Road. Mountain bikers call it "Pain Divide Road." This section is a saddle between Modjeska Peak and Santiago Peak. Take the right turn here. It's away from Modjeska, but trust me.

view from Modjeska Peak Hike — Catch your breath by taking in the views. You earned it, the hike up is pretty intense.

If you miss that last turn, you're heading to Santiago Peak. Not that it's a bad thing. And if you want to bag both peaks of Saddleback Mountain in one day, you go straight here, bag Santiago, and then come back.

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.

Modjeska Peak panorama view — Here you are at the summit at Modjeska Peak, which has some incredible 360 views. I just wanted to stay here for the night. It's on the list...

fire pit on Modjeska Peak — There’s a firepit if you want to camp. Or drive your 4×4 up here and knock down a case of cheap light beer. You've got options.

cris hazzard on Modjeska Peak — To finish the hike, hike back down the way you came. It’s a tough hike down, with lots of steep sections, so stay focused and use your hiking poles to stay upright.

Related Guides

Saddleback Mountain Hike (Santiago Peak)

Hike Indian Truck Trail to Santiago Peak

Hike Santiago Peak & Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs

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Cleveland National Forest Hiking

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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!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.