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Saddleback Mountain Hike (Santiago Peak)

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated January 19, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance: 15.8 miles
Time: 7-10 hours
Total Climbing: 4200 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Crowds: Quiet
Dogs: Leashed
Gear: What I Use
Weather: Latest Report
Park: Cleveland National Forest

Hiking Saddleback Mountain takes you to the highest point in Orange County, Santiago Peak. It's also the highest point in the Santa Ana mountains at 5,689 feet. This hike takes the scenic Holy Jim Trail, the shortest route to the summit. Still, this is a long and challenging hike. Don't try this hike without a good level of fitness.

How to Get to the Saddleback Mountain Hike

Saddleback Mountain Hike Map — The trailhead is about 30-45 minutes from most populated spots in Orange County, CA.

Use this address to get to the trailhead: Holy Jim Trailhead, Holy Jim Canyon Rd, Corona, CA 92883

Saddleback Mountain Hike Drive — The last few miles to the trailhead follow Trabuco Creek Road, which is paved in spots but otherwise dirt. The road has potholes, rutting, and some light stream crossings. That said, I've seen low-clearance vehicles many times at the trailhead, so it is doable with a car, but you'll have to pick your way through the rough patches.

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.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 1 — The parking area is massive and you shouldn't have to worry about a spot. The trail board is at the eastern side.

Gear for the Hike

Santiago Peak is a proper backcountry hike, and you should be prepared with emergency gear and, ideally, a satellite SOS device. Trekking poles are helpful on the slopes. When it's warmer out, the temperatures can soar here in Cleveland National Forest, so ideally, pick a time in the winter to do the hike. I find 3L of water is enough, but when it's hot out, you'll want to cache more on the way up. Insect repellant helps keep the bugs away. There is usually a decent amount here when it's warmer out. The upper parts of the hike rarely get snow, but it can happen.

There is an unreliable water source at the end of the Lower Holy Jim Trail at Bear Springs. Expect some water in the spring and early summer, but otherwise, it's usually dry.

Essentials I’m Using Now

Garmin inReach Mini 2: Reliable SOS Everywhere on Earth
Sawyer + CNOC Water Filter: Easy & Reliable Safe Water
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp: Running late? Get home safe
AllTrails Plus (30% off): Good All-Around Hiking App
Full October 2025 Gear List →

Saddleback Mountain Trail Maps

There are mountain bikers on all these trails, so keep your eye out and give them the right of way, especially on the narrow sections of the Holy Jim Trail.

Click to activate map

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Saddleback Mountain is actually two peaks, Santiago Peak and the lower Modjeska Peak. Saddleback Mountain can be seen from most of Orange County and dominates the skyline. It's called Saddleback Mountain because the two peaks look like a saddle from most of Orange County. This hike goes to the higher Santiago Peak, but you can also hike to the lower Modjeska Peak.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 4 — At the end of the cabins you'll see the official trailhead. Go through the gate and hike up along Holy Jim Creek.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 5 — When you get to the junction for the spur trail to Holy Jim Falls, make the left uphill toward Main Divide Road.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 6 — Start the climb. From here on up it's pretty much uphill.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 7 — Over the next few miles you'll navigate switchbacks along the climb.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 8 — When you reach Main Divide Road, make the right onto it.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 9 — Walk up Main Divide Road for about a half a mile.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 10 — After about 0.5 mile you'll reach a saddle. Look for a small overgrown trail back and to your left. Sometimes there's a cairn marking the location. It helps to have electronic navigation here.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 12 — Follow the smaller Upper Holy Jim Trail uphill along the switchbacks for about a mile.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 13 — When you reach the wide flat area, it's Main Divide Road again. Make the right and the quick left to continue toward the summit of Santiago Peak.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 14 — You'll follow Main Divide Road for about a mile toward the summit.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 15 — Go through the gate at the summit area.

path to summit on saddleback — So the summit can get a bit tricky. There are a lot of roads and tower areas. This satellite map shows you the path to the summit marker.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 16 — Look for a small dirt trail to the actual summit.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 18 — In addition to the views, there's a survey marker.

Saddleback Mountain Hike Directions 17 — That's it! From here just go back the way you came.

For an easier descent, skip the Upper Holy Jim Trail and just continue down Main Divide Road until you reach the intersection of Lower Holy Jim Trail.

Originally published July 29, 2023

Related Guides
Hike Santiago Peak & Modjeska Peak From Maple Springs – 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.
Hike the Bedford Peak Trail (Orange County) – If you're looking for a hidden gem, the Bedford Peak Trail is for you. You'll get an excellent workout climbing about 2000 feet in 3 miles, and at the top, you have gorgeous views of the Santa Anas, Angeles National Forest, Catalina, and on a clear day, the higher peaks of SoCal. Overall it's an underrated gem.
Sitton Peak Hike – Although not one of the high peaks of Cleveland National Forest, Sitton Peak is one of the more popular ones to bag. The hike to Sitton Peak is challenging but not too harsh, and at the top, you are treated to panoramic views from Catalina to the SoCal high peaks. You'll also get to explore the San Mateo Wilderness, a protected area of unique and lush chaparral, oak woodlands, and coastal sage.
Modjeska Peak Hike – 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.
Beeks Place Hike From Black Star Canyon – The Beeks Place hike takes you to the ruins of an old cabin compound built at a scenic spot high in the Santa Ana Mountains. From Beeks Place, you can see from San Gorgonio to Mt Baldy to Catalina. The hike is challenging, taking you 2000 feet up fire roads through the mountains, and along the way, you get epic views, hidden pastures, and even a Native American settlement. While Beeks Place might not be a big-name peak bagging experience, it is a nice long mountain hike that you can do all year.
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