An afternoon saunter to Sawmill Mountain

After climbing Strawberry Peak in the morning, I drove over to hike the Mt. Pinos-Sawmill Mountain combo. I pulled into another nearly empty parking lot, broke out my camp chair, and enjoyed a tri-tip sandwich I bought at the local market (along with the firewood for later). Properly fueled up, I set off under the shade of the pines toward the first peak, Mt. Pinos. The section is a pleasant stroll up toward the high point of Ventura County. Soon, the familiar communications tower appeared. I grabbed a few photos from the summit and continued on. Just a short distance later is the Tumamait Trailhead and the Condor Viewing area. After briefly enjoying the panoramic view to the southwest, I continued on.

The trail now began descending, with some helpful switchbacks, down to a saddle and losing just under 500 feet of elevation. Here began the climb up to Sawmill Mountain. The temperatures were pleasant, and the light breeze felt great as I regained almost all the elevation I had just lost. The marker for the turnoff of the main trail was just as I remembered, and soon the tall rock cairn came into view. Unlike Mt. Pinos, which did not have any signs, Sawmill had two. I had a snack and some electrolytes before snapping more photos. Although I technically finished my SoCal Six Pack of Peaks Challenge with the summit of Strawberry Peak, I have a goal for myself to climb all 12 on the list this year. Just 5 more to go! The hike back to the car went quickly, even with the section down and up from that saddle. The entire hike took me 2:58, and covered 7.35 miles with a 1,427 feet of gain. All told for the day, I hiked 14.19 miles in 6:19 with 3,222 feet of gain.

Thankfully, I wasn’t driving back to San Diego then. Instead, I was camping at the Mt. Pinos campground. I was able to get the same spot as last year. After unloading and setting up the Luno mattress, I got the fire going. The breeze had picked up, so it was a tad cool. I only brought a fleece, so I did feel it more than I would have liked to. After a nice steak dinner, I watched the fire for a while before dousing it and turning in for the night. I had accidentally left my tripod back at the trailhead, so no real astrophotography on this trip. I awoke at first light and quickly made breakfast and then broke camp. I drove back to the trailhead to see if the tripod might be there, but no luck. Next up was hiking up Tecuya Mountain before driving home.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Sweating on Strawberry Peak

I pulled into an almost empty parking lot at Red Box Gap to begin a multi-peak adventure. It was just a bit before 8:30, and I could feel the day warming up. Thankfully, I knew that Mt. Lawlor would be providing some shade during the first part of the hike. I cruised along the trail, filming bits and pieces of it. Once I reached the Lawlor Saddle, the real effort was about to start. The climb went well, as I was about 25 lbs. lighter than the last time I hiked this peak. I pushed past those annoying false summits until the true summit came into view.

Sadly, upon reaching it, I saw the registers open and their contents scattered about. Some graffiti also adorned the rocks. I looked around to find the summit signs, of which this peak always had several, were missing. I found some shade on the west side of the peak and had a snack and some much-needed electrolytes. I did not linger, as the entire descent back to the saddle would be in full sun. Once past the saddle, I still had stretches of shade to bring me some relief from the ever-warming day.

Back at the trailhead, two women were sitting under the shade of a tree with fully loaded backpacks beside them. I chatted with them a bit and learned they were hiking the entire Gabrielino Trail. I wished them well on their adventure and headed to my car. My Govee, a Bluetooth thermometer that I usually have on my pack, said the temperature was 88° F! I believed it. I drank some ice water, and then set off to my next stop, Sawmill Mountain. My ascent of Strawberry was done in 3:21, covered 6.84 miles, and had 1795 feet of gain.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

A “Monument”-al hike

After helping Ted knock out a few peaks on his 100 Peak Challenge list, it was time to help Becca with a couple. First up was Monument Peak out in the Laguna Mountains. She had never been out there, so the drive up Sunrise Highway was fun. We pulled into the empty parking area and headed out. We sauntered along the trail until it reached the Big Laguna Trail and took it a short distance until we turned northward on the PCT. It was long past the “season” for northbound hikers, but it is still fun to think of all those hikers and their stories passing through. Our time on the PCT was short, and we turned onto the trail that would take us up to Monument Peak. It was certainly a bit overgrown, and I would not recommend wearing shorts.

The communications towers came into view, and we soon were strolling up the road to the summit. Becca kept gazing at the vast green forests to the west as we approached the summit. Then at the summit, she turned to the east and was completely blown away by the sweeping view of the desert! I mean, really taken aback by that view. It is quite something, and I understand the grandeur of it all. After snapping some photos, we began our descent.

I missed the slightly overgrown junction just after we left the road and we found ourselves headed toward a small knob to the south of Monument Peak. OnX Backcountry showed a trail of some sort leading down from the summit back to the PCT, so I was game to trek on. Plus, we were talking about 1/2 mile of “adventure”, so I had no worries about a little exploration. We followed a use trail to the top of this unnamed knoll and again enjoyed a nice view. I found the descent trail and began a slightly steeper route back to the PCT. Along the way, we met two hikers working their way up. Turned out they missed the turn to Monument Peak earlier, and when they saw us descending, they decided to head up. After chatting a bit, we parted ways. This was Becca’s first time doing some light bushwhacking. I let her know to just wait, as there is some more type-2 fun to be had on other peaks. Once back on the PCT, we cruised back to the car. Our adventure was 3.4 miles, and we did it in 2:04 with 537 feet of gain.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Up Battle Mountain

Battle Mountain is a quick but steep little hike, and since Ted needed it and we needed to kill a bit of time before lunch, it was a perfect choice. I grabbed only my poles, and Ted grabbed his and a small bottle of water and set off.

The trail climbed up and around the slope of the hill until it reached the top. It was warm under the bright June sun, and I was glad we were not tackling anything bigger this late in the morning. At the summit, two Canadians visiting for a wedding were also enjoying the view. We snapped their photo and took a few of the scenery before heading back down. We picked up some trash along the way, as well. Back that car, we changed into dry shirts, stashed our gear, and headed to Mi Ranchito for lunch. The hike up Battle Mountain was all of 0.5 miles with a healthy 267 feet of gain.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

A loop around Double Peak…

After climbing Denk Mountain, Ted and I made the short drive to hike up Double Peak. We opted for the shorter route from the Ridgeline trailhead instead of from Discovery Lake. When we arrived, the lot was completely full. Thankfully, two hikers had just finished, and we were able to grab their spot. The day was warming up, as the June Gloom was starting to burn off. We set off down the well-groomed trail toward the peak. Soon we came to the junction with the steep use trail to the summit and began powering our way up. I remembered this section from the last time I hiked it and could tell the difference in my fitness, as I drew close to the top.

At the top, we passed by the amphitheater and headed to the main viewing section. Some other hikers were milling about, as were some who simply drove up. After quickly taking in the views, Ted asked if there was an alternative route down, and I said yes, but it is a bit longer. We took the trail west down a steep, but much shorter section to the sidewalk. From there, we left the sidewalk and joined the trail we had been on earlier. We cruised along it until we returned back to our starting point. Skipping that descent was fine by me. This lollipop hike was 2.91 miles in 1:06 with 623 feet of gain. Better still, it gets Ted another peak closer to his 100! Since it was still early, we decided to make the short climb up Battle Mountain before lunch.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Denk Mountain via Copper Creek

I have climbed Denk Mountain twice before, but from the western side. After watching Rick’s video of hiking from the Copper Creek trailhead, I decided to go that way next time. Since Ted was restricted on how long he could go hiking, I suggested we stay in town and work on some of those peaks he needed on the 100 Peak Challenge list. Since Denk Mountain was still on his unclimbed list, this would be a perfect opportunity to explore the eastern and southern sides. We found parking near the entrance to a large building and set off along the trail. The June Gloom was strong, and thus the air was humid. We hiked past the buildings, and then came to a locked gate and a nearby kiosk. The trail followed Copper Creek toward the southwest, crossing over it several times. A small weir had been built in a narrow part of the canyon; however, access to it was restricted.

Soon, we came to the Whiptail Loop Trail and saw the edges of the fire that had burned here about a month or so ago. We decided to continue on to the Horned Lizard Trail and use it to begin the actual climb to the summit. Our route mostly skirted the burn area, as the trail had been part of the fire break. There were still some bulldozed fire breaks on the slopes, which had notices posted to keep out. The trail worked its way upward through a series of switchbacks. While this area is popular with mountain bikers, so far we had only seen 3 trail runners. The wooden shade structure came into view, and soon we were atop the broad, flat summit.

After a quick snack and some water, we headed down the trail on the northeast side. We stuck to the main trail and, after passing a few other hikers, were soon back at the car. I enjoyed this route over the route I have used before. All told, we covered 4.3 miles in 1:37 with 680 feet of gain. Now on to the second peak of the day, Double Peak.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Doubling up on Twin Peaks

With Van Dam Peak crossed off Ted Markus’s list of peaks left to climb for the 100 Peak Challenge, we made the short drive to Silverset Park to climb Twin Peaks. We cruised up the trail toward the saddle between the two peaks.

Once at the saddle, we made the short hike over to the lower peak, then quickly retraced our route and ascended the main peak. After a few photos, we headed down the trail, making the full loop back to the car. With that, two more peaks were now crossed off his list. We hiked 1.79 miles in 52 minutes with an elevation gain of 643 feet.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Atop Modjeska Peak

After my road walk up Santiago Peak, I decided to make the relatively short climb up Modjeska Peak. In the past, I could have taken the connector trail from the saddle over to partway up the peak. However, a small landslide had appeared to wipe out a section of that trail. So, instead, I returned to my parked car and took the other road to the summit. There is a fire break cut through here from an older fire. Unlike the road up Santiago, this road was quite rocky and certainly not one I cared to drive. When I passed the junction to the connector trail, I then had the choice to take the short, albeit steeper and direct fire break to the summit, or follow the road around the side of the mountain. I was feeling good, so I pushed up the steep fire break.

From the summit, I could take in the extent of the fire on Santiago Peak. I found the summit sign and took a few photos. It was starting to warm up, so I was ready to return to the car. Rather than deal with that steep rocky fire break, I took the road back. While not exactly rock-free, the grade was certainly less. Once back at the car, I pulled in behind 3 vehicles that were also heading down. Before too long, I was back in Silverado Canyon and headed home. The side trip up Modjeska Peak took 42 minutes to cover the 1.65 miles and 432 feet of gain.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Returning to Santiago Peak

Since the Maple Springs Road and portions of the North Main Divide Road were recently reopened after the Airport Fire, I knew that I should take this opportunity and knock out Santiago and Modjeska Peaks. The drive up from Silverado Canyon was uneventful with just a few folks walking along the paved section, getting their morning exercise in. The north side of the mountain was untouched by the fire, so it was still nice and green. As I neared the ridge, I could start to see the fire damage. When I was atop Sitton Peak a few days earlier, the extent of the fire was clear to see. I parked at my usual spot, at the junction with the road to Modjeska and the road that continues onto Santiago Peak. A water tanker was parked here. Since the road was in really good shape, I assumed it was here to help keep the dust down during the road work. I was surprised to find another car there this early, but it turns out they had driven up the night before and had camped there. After I gathered my gear, I chatted with them a bit. They said that they counted 30 cars driving up to the summit last night. I said my farewell and set off down the road. The landscape was devoid of the trees and brush that lined its slopes. While wildflowers were blooming and some green grasses were taking hold, it was a strange sight. I could easily see the trail I typically took to the summit of Santiago and the connector trail that I used for Modejska.

Once I reached the junction with the Joplin Trail, a warning sign told of its closure. With the Holy Jim Trail also closed, either a very long hike up an active road or starting partway up were the only options (sans just driving to the top) to summit this peak. A bit further down the road that had clearly been rebuilt, I passed the saddle between the two peaks. It is here that the trail breaks away from the road. I knew that no work had been done on it, so I was not too keen on using it. I did find that someone left a summit sign here, so I snapped a quick photo before continuing along the road. Looking back to the south, I could see the damage to Modjeska and also spied a landslide that had passed over the trail. I can recall that section of the trail before the fire as one that seemed a bit unstable. After a few turns, the summit came into view. Along the way, two SUVs passed me. They parked off next to one set of the towers, while I made my way to the summit. I snapped a few pictures before walking to the south end of the area to see the damage. I can recall watching the live video from the tower cameras as the fire raced over the summit.

Since today was a federal holiday, I wanted to get back down before more traffic headed up the mountain. I again thought about taking the trail down, but it was getting warmer and I wanted to summit Modjeska as well. I hustled back to the car, as taking that connector trail was not an option. Back at the car, the boys who had camped had packed up and left, and I stopped my tracker, as I wanted to have a Modjeska-only track recorded. I was up and down in 2 hours flat, covering 6.29 miles with 979 feet of gain.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Sweating up Sitton Peak

I pulled off Ortega Highway across from the now-closed Candy Store. I guess with the nearby campground closed due to the Airport Fire, there wasn’t enough business to keep it open. It was going to be a warm day, so I wasted no time in getting moving. This was going to be my 6th time up this peak, so I cruised along the very familiar trail. I snapped a few photos along the way, as there were still flowers blooming. When I reached 4 Corners, I noticed one of my sand baskets had come off my trekking poles. That happened on this trail once before. I kept hiking along, knowing I would be retracing my route rather than taking the Bear Ridge Trail that I had planned.

I powered up the last steep section to the summit and finally took a break. I did not stay too long, as it was getting even warmer. After grabbing some photos and mixing up some electrolytes, I set off. There actually was more shade than one would think for this hike, and I was thankful for that. As I cruised back to the car, I kept scanning the trail for my missing sand basket (and danger noodles), and as luck would have it, I found it! Soon, the highway came back into view, and my trek was drawing to a close. The car’s thermometer read just over 90°F, and I would believe it (it left my Govee at home, so I did not record the actual trail temps). Including the time at the summit, I clocked this hike in at 3:51 for the 9.4 miles. Not too bad!

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.