So — I can see Santiago Peak (Saddleback Mountain) perfectly from my house.

For the past five years, I've literally been waking up and seeing this mountain.

To say that I finally hiked it was a huge accomplishment!

I have a new respect for that peak every time I look up there.

We did this hike as a part of the Sierra Club WTC — it was our “conditioning hike.”

Honestly — it wasn't too bad! I'm not sure what I was expecting.. but despite the early start — we survived!

The one downside to this hike were all the trucks and Jeeps along the road and at the top. Could have done w/o those!

Because we were with the Sierra Club, we did some navigation practice along the way.