#127 Easy Hikes to Lake Elsinore Overlooks

The money shot overlooking Lake Elsinore.

Southern California Map.

Overall Hiking Totals:

Peak 3106 Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 33.6025°N, -117.3433°W.

Summary

Heading up Peak 3106 from Main Divide Road.

Highway 74, also known as Ortega Highway, Climbs steeply west of Lake Elsinore into the Santa Ana Mountains.  Once at this high vantage point, overlook opportunities reveal themselves.  There are a few nice roadside overlook points with memorable photo opportunities.  However, with a desire to hike to other good vantage points, I chose to seek out some of the less crowded and harder to get to overlooks of the lake. Naturally, the benefit of doing so for me was to get some sunshine and exercise to go with it.

On the summit of Peak 3106.

The first was Peak 3106.  From a parking turnout on Main Divide Road (about 2 miles south of Ortega Highway), paragliders launch from the bluff above. A well defined use trail goes from the pullout and leaves the bluff behind. The trail climbs to a high point overlooking Lake Elsinore. A white pole stands next to the summit boulder with outstanding lake views below. Although my duo of hikes on the day were short, this one was clearly my favorite. I would even go as far to say that this is one of the more underrated hikes in the Santa Ana Mountains.

Heading up the utility road to Elsinore Peak.

Heading up the utility road to Elsinore Peak.

The second overlook point was none other than Elsinore Peak.  There is a locked vehicle gate at the start of what is merely a dirt utility road leading to the summit.  The hike is a gradual climb but short.  Before the summit are communication towers and utility buildings. 

On the summit looking down on the towers.

Just beyond, is the actual summit, marked with a benchmark.  From that point, there are great views overlooking Lake Elsinore from an even higher vantage point than Peak 3106.

Overlooking Lake Elsinore.

The hikes in total took only about 2 hours. Both hikes were 1.1 miles out and back.  Although the time spent was minimal, memories and an overall good time is long remembered.

Video:

#126 Easy Hiking in Dana Point

Overlooking the marina.

Southern California Map.

Dana Point Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 33.4672°N, -117.6981°W.

Hiking Stats:

Summary

Dana Point is not a typical destination for serious hikers.  But then again, what's the point in being so serious?  Dana Point is a great place to enjoy the outdoors, and there are a few really short hikes.  On my visit, I gathered 4 different locations to formulate a hiking plan.  Each of these four were combined into a decent half day of hiking and/or travel to and from each location.  

#1: Hilltop Park

Starting the day on a staircase.

Viewing the marina from high up.

Rather than proclaiming it a hike, it is more of an urban walk.  It climbs a staircase toward a hemmed in bluff trail leading to overlooks.  In total, it is 0.5 miles out and back with a 79 foot gain.

Hilltop Park Driving & Hiking Map

#2: Bluff Top Trail

About as manicured as a walk can get.

Dana Point has a bit of history.

As walks go, I recommend this one to anybody. Walking among the expensive homes with a view feels like a privilege  to be there.  Round trip, the walk is 0.3 miles with a 45 foot gain.

Bluff Top Trail Driving & Hiking Map.

#3: Dana Point Preserve

The hemmed in trail kept me off the native plants.

Good coastal views from the bluffs.

This hike had a controlled entry point, where volunteers made sure that you brushed your shoes to eliminate non-native plant material on your shoes.  OK, no big deal.  Of the four trails mentioned, this one was definitely the busiest.  1 mile out and back with 145' of elevation gain.

#4: South Strand Conservation Park

Descending to the beach.

The trail ends at the water, unless you want to walk the beach too.

The last trail is conveniently close to Dana Point Preserve.  In fact, I didn't even need to move my car.  I descended to the beach to wrap up my quick hiking visit to Dana Point.  0.5 miles and 157' of elevation gain.

Video:

#125 The Flagpole Hill Loop

Clearly, this was Flagpole Hill.

Southern California Map.

Driving Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 33.48027°N, -117.6555°W.

Hiking Stats:

Summary

With coastal Southern Orange County not being well-known as a hotbed for hiking, there are still open spaces worthy of a visit. Flagpole Hill is one of them. I was able to form a loop hike out of it, which helped to add to it's appeal for video production.

Looking up the ridge, where the flag blows in the wind.

From a San Juan Capistrano neighborhood, I entered the open spaces and made a quick left to ascend toward Flagpole Hill. The summit has a tall flag pole on top, thus the name. It is so so known as Patrick's Hill.

On top of Flagpole Hill.

The summit is the hike high point, but the trail continues in a half circle along the ridge, where it crosses over a lower Hill before ending on a third high point, Peak 880.

Heading off on the ridge to visit the other high points.

I then dropped back to a five point junction where I return to the parking area through the Canyon. I combined this with a visit to Dana Point, where I was able to gather a handful of other easy hikes. 

A bench with a view on Peak 880.

Video:

Simulated Hike:

#124 Ontario Peak

Looking toward Ontario Peak after passing Icehouse Saddle.

Southern California Map.

Driving Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 34.2278°N, -117.6239°W.

Hiking Stats:

Hiking Map.

Summary

Icehouse Canyon is the gateway to some of the highest peaks in the San Gabriel Range. Ontario Peak is one of these options. I personally prefer to give each major Peak it's own day, rather than combining them all on the same hike.

Approaching Ontario Peak.

Because if that, I still need to go back to video Cucamonga Peak and Bighorn Peak, when the time comes. Both are neighboring peaks with their own unique final approach. 

Bighorn Peak.

Each Peak requires ascending the rock filled Canyon to reach Icehouse Saddle. From there, the hiked ng route breaks off into four directions. For Ontario Peak, I turned right and continued elevating to Ontario Ridge. On the ridge, Bighorn Peak is to the left, while Ontario Peak is still not visible yo the right.  I turned right and elevated on the ridge.

Ontario Peak summit.

I passed "Fake" Ontario Peak (which I visited on the way back). Beyond, the true summit appeared. I managed to reach the summit soon after, where a large hiking group was congregating. I managed to get my summit time, though.

Getting ready to visit "Fake" Ontario Peak.

I returned the same way, for a typical long and rugged outing that accompanies any visit to Icehouse Canyon. 

Returning through Icehouse Canyon.

Video:

Simulated Hike: