On a crisp and peaceful Wednesday with hardly a soul (just one mountain biker all day!!), I had a leisurely hike from Long Canyon Rd./Main Divide Rd. up Main Divide to Vicker Benchmark (4,316'), and through Los Pinos (Munhall) Saddle to Horsethief Peak (4,313'). The air was clear and fragrant with sage and pine glistening under a fresh light coat of snow from the day before. I swear that every time I go to the Santa Ana Mountains, I feel transported to a utopia, where nothing matters but the mountains,the plants, and the wildlife! I totally forgot about the miserable day at work the day before!! I took the south firebreak which is pretty steep, but Class 1. The hike up and back was mellow. The mileage for the whole trip is about 6.7 miles (out and back) with about 1,200' elevation gain (including Vicker BM and with a mild climb back to Los Pinos (Munhall Saddle) after visiting Horsethief Pk). I could have not asked for a better day. Without Vicker BM, the gain would be closer to 1,050' but with a negligible change in mileage since Vicker BM is right over Los Pinos (Munhall Saddle). Next time I visit Horsethief, I want to either take the West Horsethief Trail from Trabuco Canyon, or the East Horsethief Trail from near Lake Elsinore, and make a tougher climb of it, also since I have never hiked those two trails yet anyways.