Santiago Peak

Nice day to hike Santiago Peak. 6:30 AM start at the Maple Springs Visitor Center TH. Only two other hikers were at the peak.

I should have parked 3 miles beyond the visitor center at the hairpin turn where the road turns to dirt. Other site reviews said even though the first 3 miles are paved, low profile vehicles will struggle with the potholes and broken roadway. After hiking those 3 miles I saw there was only one area of concern but not a big deal. I’ve driven on worse dirt roads. I descended with the two hikers, who happened to have parked after those first 3 miles, and gave me a ride back to the visitor center. So my 24 mile hike became only 21.

Almost all motorized vehicles on the trail slowed to reduce dust. I liked that. But one young man driving an SUV didn’t slow at all despite us being on a straight section with at least 400 feet of visibility.