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Old 11-26-2011, 08:55 AM
 
Location: Las Flores, Orange County, CA
26,329 posts, read 93,739,305 times
Reputation: 17831

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Is it legal/possible?
Anyone do it?
What is a recommended route (from Las Flores)?
We have 4WD.
How long does it take to the top once you leave paved road?
Any other suggestions? Road closure information?

Here is what google maps says (1:22):

Las Flores, CA to Santiago Peak - Google Maps

Here's an alternate from the west side (1:25):

Las Flores, CA to Santiago Peak - Google Maps

However Bing Maps shows this different route:

Bing Maps - Driving Directions, Traffic and Road Conditions

It looks like you can take motorcycles up there:



And this picture (also from Photobucket) indicates this dude drove up there:
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Old 11-26-2011, 12:07 PM
 
371 posts, read 815,853 times
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I don't think you can legally drive up there on your own.

There is a road up there for crews that are maintaining the towers and other facilities, and there might be a permit you can get, or maybe if you know the right person.... But, can anyone just decide to drive up there? I'm pretty sure the answer is "no."

But, I'm not an authority on the issue, I've never tried, nor I have I ever seen something official and in writing that says you can't do it, but I know that most of the roads on the mountain are closed to the public. Also, if you could legally drive up there, I feel like I surely would have heard about it. With the views up there, and on those winter days when there is snow up there, if anyone could just drive up there, I have to imagine it would be a more widely known thing to do.

Those guys from the photos may have done it illegally, or maybe they are off-duty workers who have the key/pass to get up there on the weekend, or maybe they just know the right person.

But, if you find that it is legal, let us know, I would love to do it!!!
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Old 11-26-2011, 12:24 PM
 
Location: Las Flores, Orange County, CA
26,329 posts, read 93,739,305 times
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According to Cleveland National Forest - Alerts & Notices

Harding Truck Trail (5S08) is Partially Open.
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Old 11-26-2011, 12:32 PM
 
1,017 posts, read 2,496,683 times
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Check out these videos...


Honda XR650L up to Santiago Peak 6-4-2011 Part 1 of 7 HQ - YouTube


XR650L up to Santiago Peak June 4th 2011 Part 2 of 7 - YouTube
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Old 11-26-2011, 12:32 PM
 
Location: Declezville, CA
16,806 posts, read 39,934,099 times
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It depends on the condition of the road. It's always closed during fire season.
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Old 11-26-2011, 12:46 PM
 
Location: Declezville, CA
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Call the USFS guard station in either Trabuco Cyn or Silverado. Maybe the Corona facility would be a better choice.
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Old 11-26-2011, 03:27 PM
 
Location: Los Angeles County, CA
29,094 posts, read 26,000,767 times
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I own a book published in 1987 called the "Glovebox Guide to Unpaved Southern California" - it is designed for the "4wd utility vehicle owner" and it includes a trip description to Santago and Modjeska Peaks. The book mentions that the trail is often closed - I doubt that access has changed since 1987(although anything can happen in 26 years).
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Old 11-26-2011, 03:30 PM
 
Location: Las Flores, Orange County, CA
26,329 posts, read 93,739,305 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fontucky View Post
Call the USFS guard station in either Trabuco Cyn or Silverado. Maybe the Corona facility would be a better choice.
I tried calling all of them this morning....recorded message says hours are M-F. I couldn't get a hold of anyone.
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Old 11-26-2011, 03:32 PM
 
Location: Las Flores, Orange County, CA
26,329 posts, read 93,739,305 times
Reputation: 17831
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harrier View Post
I own a book published in 1987 called the "Glovebox Guide to Unpaved Southern California" - it is designed for the "4wd utility vehicle owner" and it includes a trip description to Santago and Modjeska Peaks. The book mentions that the trail is often closed - I doubt that access has changed since 1987(although anything can happen in 26 years).
That is essentially the situation I am in. I have no way to confirm the roads are open. So, I didn't attempt to go today. I will try calling them this week when they are open and ask about driving up those roads. Today would have been such a good day as it is severe clear.
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Old 11-26-2011, 03:33 PM
 
Location: Las Flores, Orange County, CA
26,329 posts, read 93,739,305 times
Reputation: 17831
Yep, I've seen those but it isn't clear if the roads are open today.
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