Tag: socal hiking 2026

Standing on Sitton Peak for the Second Time

@serafinahikes

This was my third time hiking this trail, and would be my second time to Sitton Peak, elevation 3270 ft in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness. I arrived at the Bear Canyon Trailhead at 7am, located to the right of the candy store on Ortega Highway. Many of the trails in this area from Bear Canyon parking area have remained closed since the Airport Fire, including Hot Springs Canyon, Chiquito Falls, and the San Juan Loop. There is parking is alongside the road and I displayed my forest service pass. My hike began along the Bear Canyon Trail at 7:15 am. I was hiking along a singletrack. The trail was well maintained, and free of brush, since it was early spring.

2 Peaks in a Day: Bedford and Bald Peak

@serafinahikes

The trailhead to Bedford Peak is located by the Maple Springs Visitors Center, along Maple Springs Rd., an OHV road which leads you from Silverado Canyon, up toward North Main Divide Rd. in the Santa Ana Mountains. I arrived at Maple Springs around 7 am, finding the gate was open so we were able to drive up the road  about 1/2 mile to park by the trailhead. Had there been recent rain, the gate would have been closed to traffic for 48 hours. There are only about 6 parking spots at the trailhead in front of the gate. I was greeted by a bright yellow sunflower, likely sprouted from a stray sunflower seed. Birds drop seeds from feeders, and are the reason you may see non-natives sprouting along the trail. The first mile or so of trail are made up of two long switchbacks through a canyon, dotted in sycamore trees, scattered in early spring wildflowers, shrubs and vines.