IT was a beautiful day; We went out a little later than we should have. We went out during a hot week, and the temperature eventually got up to 86 degrees.  For some reason it always takes about an hour longer than I want it to to have coffee, eat breakfast, and get driving. We brought light packs (just water and a few pieces of fruit, plus a bowl for the dog). The hike was very pleasant. I was  surprised to see that the trailhead was located directly behind the candy store I had driven by hundreds of times growing up in Southern California. I had always wondered why there was a parking lot and a gate on the side of the Ortega…now I know why!

The first 5 miles of our hike was a steady uphill–nothing too difficult, well shaded in most spots and overall very pretty. Lots of oak trees near the trail, a bit more milkweed and sage as you get higher up towards the peak. The last quarter is a bear. We  followed the signage up a few different run-off channels and had to climb over rocks several times to get to the peak. The view was well worth it, though!