Santiago Peak is a 17.2 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Lake Elsinore, California and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and ohv/off road driving and is best used from November until March. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This is a review to the peak via Joplin. Unfortunately via Holy Jim is still closed. This is my 2nd time bagging this peak in 4 months. First time I hit up Modjeska Peak first then shot over to Santiago. Unless you want to say you bagged two peaks in one day, I would skip Modjeska (no sign at the top of that one btw). This route is NOT easy. Most of ascent is up hill. Coming down was miserable - horrible trail conditions it's obviously not maintained because it's not accessed much this way. Once you hit the fire road there is a side trail you can take up to Santiago so you don't have to be in the sun on the fire road to the top. We ended up coming down the fire road which was nice change. Bring plenty of water and snacks and be prepared for a very long day. Now that I have bagged Mount Whitney & this peak twice, I have a whole new respect for this hike & this would be GREAT training for Whitney. Parking is along the dirt road. You do not need a 4-wheel drive or high clearance vehicle the road is not that bad just take it slow. Not sure if you're even supposed to park where we did, but I've parked there twice and had no issues - I did put my Adventure Pass in my window just in case.
Silverado C1500 285 Kumho Road Ventures It was a nice trail. It was mostly just a poorly maintained road and the affore mentioned Civic could handle most of it... most not all. There were a couple inclines that were rain damaged and deep holes from previous attempts. Not many though. I will need to go back because the advise to go on a very clear morning is very good advise.