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!
Some of the greatness of the Inland Empire involves being nearby some random hill that seems to be there for no reason. It really doesn't matter why they are there, but what it does is create another place to go hiking. Many have realized this over the years as trails often climb to the top of each of them. Meanwhile, a good cluster of peaks sits in Menifee making a good example of this phenomenon. A prominent cross sits on top of one of them, making for a clear destination for anybody to attempt.
On Peak 1910.
From Aldergate Park, off Menifee Road, the trail begins. The trail elevates above Aldergate Park and climbs into the hills. The first hill to the right makes a good high point to capture first. Great city views spill out below. The trail continues up the ridge toward the prominent white cross on the next summit over. There are a few steep sections, but it nothing merely more than an easy work out on a cool day. The peak with the big white cross is Peak 2096, otherwise known as Menifee Mountain.
Going back up Menifee Mountain.
Even better views appear from there. Beyond the peak, the trail drops down to another summit with a small cross on it, which is Peak 1910. It is out and back from there back to Menifee Mountain, which is actually a pretty good climb for a short distance.
Summit cross on Peak 2141.
Back on Menifee Mountain for a second time, I proceeded north to the next peak. This was Peak 2141. This is actually the tallest peak in the cluster, but does not have a noticeable cross on it. From the trail, there is a steep summit trail. A small cross marks the summit. I retraced from there back to the trail to continue in a loop.
Summit views on Mount Brannon.
The next peak over is Mount Brannon at elevation 2,022'. On its summit is a large wooden cross, nearly as prominent as the big white one on Menifee Mountain. That marks four crosses on four different peaks. To complete the hike, I looped back to the starting point while descending the slopes on good trails and the side of Menifee Rd.
Looking back at the peaks and ridge visited earlier.
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