Region
Highlights
Routes
17 summits • 9.7 mi • 1,874 ft gain • 4 hr 24 min • Class 1
10 summits • 9.8 mi • 1,656 ft gain • 4 hr 59 min
2 summits • 8.7 mi • 1,399 ft gain • 4 hr 36 min
Latest summits
"I started this hike late (10 AM). Then we signed the register box and went up the trail. After that we went through a forest and went into the San Mateo Wilderness. Then we visited the vista point along the trail. Then we went though a small grove and then went down to a small canyon. Then we went through the third forest and went by Piegon spring. We went to 4 Corners and then went up the Sitton Peak trail. Then we saw a view of Mt Baldy and the Angeles National Forest and a small cave and small monument. We also visited a campsite with a horse-through and went downhill to the summit of Sitton Peak. Then the trail turned steep. Then we finally reached the summit, it has a register, 4 signs, 2 benchmarks, and a destroyed sign." — lc444 • Jan 12, 2023
"I climbed Sitton Peak in May. The trail was super cold, maybe about 33 F. We stated at the candy Store. Then we went and signed the register. Then we saw a San Mateo Wilderness sign then we hiked through forests to the Chapparal. Then after a long steep section we reached the summit. There were cool views, 2 benchmarks, and three signs. This video will help
https://youtu.be/h5kejDujvHw" — lcnguyen • Jan 2, 2022
"Made a visit to Sitton Peak and Boy Scout Peak. After completing both, the plan was to include Bear Divide and Unintended Peak since they were conveniently close. However, they required some serious bushwhacking, so I didn’t make much of an attempt on either one." — MikeTeeples • Nov 6, 2021
"Checked out a nearby summit in my new backyard. Jon and I met up at the Candy Store and took the Bear Ridge trail on the way up. Final 300ft is over a steep and slippery use trail. Low clouds at the summit obscured some of the views, but still a great vista. I think we could see Palomar to the SE." — edg • Feb 15, 2021
"Great 10 mile hike with 2000+ feet of total ascent. This is an up and back with almost all the elevation on the first half of the hike to the peak. The last .25 miles is particularly brutal, with probably close to 750 feet up in that last little bit. Finally got Tim and Randy back together for some hiking, and Donna and Kathy balanced out our team. Great cool temps but very crowded on the trail today. Bonus Candy Store at the TH for after the hike!!" — FlagMan • Jan 17, 2021
"The only difficult part about this hike is the last push at the end. Great to do in the winter when other mountain peaks are covered in snow. I suggest wearing log pants because your legs will get scratched." — kerryscott • Feb 12, 2020
"Well, took a rest day yesterday before heading out today to tackle Sitton Peak. Not one of the San Diego Peaks, but my 1st peak of the SoCal Alternate Peaks and my 6th Peak of the 2020 SoCal Six Pack of Peaks. Mission accomplished. 2020 SoCal Six pack of Peaks Complete. It was a pretty easy day and not many hikers on the trail today. Although I had the pleasure of being joined by some of my Hike Beyond the Hills Crew. It's founder and good friend, Cece. As well as, Meredith, Leila, Shirleen, Brittany and a few others." — Philip-Yoho • Jan 5, 2020
"I decided to begin the year with a two peaks in different areas and different weather conditions. I got up early and drove from Oceanside to the Nordic Base to summit Mount Pinos. Temps at my car a 0630 were right around 10 degrees. I quickly completed my summit, got in my car and headed back down south to Sitton Peak. Made it there just before noon. Temps at the trailhead were right around 75 degrees. I made the summit in no time and decided to complete the hike by tackling Bear Ridge. What a great start to the year." — Philip-Yoho • Jan 1, 2019
"First 4 miles was pretty easy with not a lot of elevation gain. The last 1/2 mile though... steeeeeeeeeeep! Also glad the candy store is at the trailhead; the temperature climbed on my way down so a cold drink sure was nice!" — marc • Sep 16, 2018
"After reading all of the blogs and watching hiking videos stating that this is a wonderful hike, I really wanted to see it for myself and experience the climb. It more than exceeded my expectations! Some of the nicest, lushest, and tallest chaparral in the Santa Ana Mountains is here. Just after the start, there is a tall grove of Hoaryleaf Ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius var. crassifolius) that provides nice shade, and luckily at the time (March 6th), full of white blossoms. There are several shady Coast Live Oak groves along the trail to and from the peak. There is a lot of Black Sage (Salvia mellifera) along the trail perfuming the air so nicely. And, yes, the summit view is truly awe inspiring! I can easily pick out many of the other Santa Ana Mountain peaks that I have hiked, as well as the coast, interior mountain ranges, and a nearly vertical view down to Ortega Hwy (Ca-74). The hike is about 9.8 miles round trip (out and back), and is moderate in difficulty. There are some ups and downs along the trails before the summit use trail, but none are truly steep. Just remember that you will have a few uphill stretches on the way back out, but nothing strenuous at all...." — brianpowell • Mar 6, 2017