This blog will detail 1,000 video hikes in Southern California. By Southern California, I am drawing a line from San Luis Obispo to the Nevada Border. Anything south of that line will be declared "Southern California". In a way, it is a personal challenge to do so many hikes. Mainly, however, it is my way of showcasing how many hiking opportunities there really are right in our own geographic back yard. As a blog, it serves as a companion piece to my Youtube channel "Mike On The Trail". It is also a work in progress, as I don't actually have 1,000 edited videos completed. This will take effort for quite some time before it is declared done. Even then, there will still be more out there. Here's to hiking and all the positive effects it has had on my life...and possibly yours!
Saturday, February 12, 2022
#77 Estelle Mountain
Estelle Mountain in a not so vibrant poppy season.
Estelle Mountain is the highest point in the Temescal Range. The Temescal Mountains are a range that runs parallel to the Santa Ana Mountains, but which sit in the Inland Empire. On the west side, the mountain is blocked off by private property. Because of that, a climb of the mountain seems like a lost cause. However, on the east side, there is actually an established trailhead. The tricky part is getting there by car.
Approaching the summit.
In a rural area in between Perris and Lake Matthews is Gavilan Springs Road. The first part of this road is paved, but it later becomes a bumpy dirt road. The road goes through a scenic oak grove before arriving at the trailhead, which is just past the last house on the road. No trail signs were there on my visit, but as the road splits, take the road to the right which immediately climbs up the lower slopes. Dirt roads continue all the way to the peak. When junctions appear, I kept to the route that went toward the highest point on the ridge in order to stay on track.
Summit benchmark.
A transformer sits next to the summit. When the road crests above Temescal Valley, a use trail splits off to the left and reaches the top. A benchmark sits on the highest point. Unfortunately, the summit is a bit of an anticlimactic moment. I moved forward a few hundred yards to a rocky outcrop which more resembled a true summit point.
The "substitute" summit seemed more appropriate.
From there, the views were even a little better overlooking Temescal Valley. When ready, I returned along the same route without experiencing any other hikers on the hike.
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