Hiked on 2/27/21. 20.7 miles, 5,394 ft. elevation gain. Hike took 8:46. I had read on reviews and comments on this hike that there was a risk of getting ticketed if parking at the “trailhead” of the Joplin Trail, about one mile down Trabuco Creek Road, so I instead parked on the intersection of Trabuco Creek and Trabuco Canyon Roads, which added one mile each way at the beginning and end of the hike (in total, adding up to more than 20 miles). This one is a butt-kicker, with over 5,000 ft. elevation gain, but was very empty, and a great way to get a tough hike in while escaping the crowds (particularly in the forested section before the summit road). I think I ran into twelve other hikers the entire time, and certainly ran into more mountain bikers and drivers at the (uneventful) summit. Hardest part of the hike is probably the very steep incline at the start, which required a few breaks, but the two relatively flat miles afterwards are a nice, well deserved breather. I didn’t do it, but you could add a summit Modjeska Peak to the hike with probably only another additional added mile, and though it isn’t the taller of the two peaks, it’s a lot quieter and more isolated, away from car traffic. I could see this as a great prep hike for getting a lot of miles in while still remaining in the LA area, and avoids any risk of altitude sickness as on some of the other long hikes in California.