"This hike was started at 10 AM at the Morgan Trailhead. After passing through a very overgrown trail with too many creek crossings. After the overgrown trail the trail conditions got better and then crosses through a oak forest. Turn right onto the steep trail and then you will eventually reach San Mateo Peak. The trail is steep and loose and eventually has views. After the views it crosses through some flat areas with views and some bushes. After the area there were some downhills and then more views towards Orange County. After that there was a summit plateau and then I summited the peak. The summit had two signs and a register box. Nice views from the summit towards Mt Baldy, Mt San Gorgonio, Mt San Jacinto, Sitton Peak, and the rest of Cleveland National Forest. " — lc444 • Sep 14, 2023

"Started from the Morgan Trailhead off Main Divide Rd. Made sure to make that critical left turn before arriving at the survey register about a quarter mile in. Once on the right path, I followed it to the summit and back. Great views from the top." — MikeTeeples • Apr 23, 2023

"So like many the initial trailhead is hard to locate. I did the guardrail jump and located the trail. Like many have said this is a moderate hike with plenty of false summits. The trail is eroded in many places and plenty of loose rocks. So the best way I can suggest to find the trail is to start out on the Morgan Trail. Hike to the sign-in box and do an about-face. Take about 20 steps back the way you came and you'll see a trail split off of the Morgan Trail. This is the trail to the peak. Watch for signs along the way as the trail has really been overgrown near the creek. once you get some elevation the trail is easy to follow." — markgrow • May 1, 2019

"Parked at the Morgan Trailhead to begin the hike. I followed LPC hiking directions, which seemed somewhat confusing on paper but clearly made sense once I got out there on the trail. The first left turn (which is unmarked) was critical for getting on the right path. Once that left turn was verified and completed, I found the trail was well marked the rest of the way. I enjoyed a cool cloudy day in the Santa Ana Mountains, because I know first hand how hot it gets up here in other times of the year. There are a few false summits along the way but the true summit is reached in about 2.4 miles from the start. " — MikeTeeples • Mar 24, 2019

"San Mateo Canyon Wilderness High Point has the unofficial name of San Mateo Peak. The hike is a moderate climb from S. Main Divide Rd. (Paved). I drove in from Orange County, and I turned right onto S. Main Divide, and took the good paved road to a turnout just past the Morgan Trailhead. The Morgan Trailhead is a small parking area with a bench and several planted ornamental pines. I went about a 1/4 mile to a turnout near some live oaks. I hopped over the metal guardrail and took a few steps down and met a trail 100' away under a few oaks. There is no marker here for San Mateo Peak. The trail under the trees forks straight and right. I went straight in and out of oak groves for a short while. I wandered about trying to find a trail that would head to San Mateo. I went back and forth for a half hour. I went back the way I came, back to the trail on which I originally started. I retraced my steps on that trail until I was back far enough in familiar territory. I was back on track. After crossing a creekbed, I followed straight until I saw a trail to the right. It is a sharp right that goes under oaks for a short while. On the left, there is a trail with sign pointing..." — brianpowell • Mar 18, 2017

"Good news! There has been some improvements to the signage on this hike from previous trip reports. 1) Start at the Morgan Trail head & take the trail until you hit the register box, sign in and then immediately turn around, the trail you want is to the right and looks small. Unfortunately, there is no new signage here, but the trail is easy to see once you turn around. 2) Follow the trail along the creek bed (it will cross several times). When you come to the first T-shaped junction, go right and stick with the creek (going left will take you up to S. Main Divide Rd.) 3) After crossing the creek a few more times (which was completely dry on this hike), you will come across a brand new large sign "SAN MATEO PK" about 0.7 miles into the hike with an arrow pointing to the tiny use trail that will take you to the peak. The plastic dinosaur on a stick is still here by the way, but is easy to miss. The new sign is almost impossible to miss. 4) The small use trail will quickly open up and will take you all the way through the dense chaparral to the summit with no other trails intersecting. 5) There is a new sign at the summit with the correct elevation. It now reads 3591..." — aaronm • Aug 3, 2015