Get Outside and Explore
Hiking up Volcan Mountain rewards you with beautiful views of pristine wilderness, surrounded by charming farmscapes, amid the rolling hills of San Diego’s wine country. Reaching the peak is a somewhat challenging workout. You can take Volcan Mountain Trail all the way or take the Five Oaks Trail, which eventually joins Volcan Mountain Trail, on to the peak.
I set off on a hike up Mount Baldy, in June, just as the winter snows were finishing their late season melt-off. I had not been into the mountains much the past two seasons. Spring came and went without a hike amidst the high peaks of the San Gabriels. I had read Mount Baldy now had just just a small amount of snow left, and that the trail was mostly dry. It was time to get back up there, for my second ever hike up Mount Baldy, on Fathers Day, June 18th, 2023.
I drove up the scenic and winding Highway 33, and the Rim of the World Scenic Byway, on my way to Bertha Peak, elevation 8199. It is one of the high peaks surrounding Big Bear Lake, in the San Bernardino National Forest. The hike would be 7.4 miles, and a level of moderate.
Spring is hanging around a bit longer than normal this year. With June gloom in full swing, the wildflowers are the only sunshine there is right now in Orange County, especially in Santiago Oaks Regional Park.
Serafina Hikes 