The last few miles on the dirt road to the trailhead are a bit rough; take it slow. After the parking area (I was the only one there) the fire road continues to Santiago Peak. Great views of the area, but the fire road itself is less scenic. Road signs riddled with bullet  holes, people have interesting ideas about entertainment. After the saddle I noticed a shortcut on the map and I really have to stop thinking that every dotted line on the map is a good idea. I ended up crawling several sections on hands and knees to avoid most of the overgrowing the shrubbery. Which was actually fun, in a weird way. And not as bad as an idea as the person who once started from the other side in a white pickup truck, and got so stuck that the car – stripped of everything – is still there. I imagined the conversation that followed between husband and wife while having to abandon the car.

The peak itself, covered in comm towers, is a bit disappointing, despite the views. I signed the registry and quickly left. Having had not enough punishment I decided that since I was at saddleback, I should also visit the other peak, Modjeska. This is at most an hour detour, not a lot of crawling. Named after a famous Polish Shakespeare actress, so I felt like I was honoring Shakespeare as well. This peak is but 200 ft less tall, but so much nicer than its sibling: quiet, surrounded by shrubbery and vistas of snow covered San Jacinto, San Bernardino, and San Antonio. All of which are on my little list. To hike or not to hike? We all know the answers to that one!