2026-Jan: Bedford Peak from Silverado Motorways/Bald Peak Option/Level 2/2+

Rare post hike Bedford Peak from Silverado Motorway/Maple Springs trailhead afterr the rains with cooler weather 🏔️ 🍁🥾
Optional Bald or Pleasant Peak for those who like a longer hike.

HikingOC return to Bedford Peak, one of the Fall Foliage trails in OC. This is a good hike for mountains training series with lower peaks nearby and OC area. The trail is scenic, but challenging with steep and rocky incline. It is recommended only for those who have experience with hiking long distances and climbing steep slopes (to summit); otherwise, it is doable for moderate hikers.

DIFFICULTY/GENERAL RATING: Level 2/2+. You can check the RATING TABLE for more info about the hiking levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating

Necessities: Adequate water (1 to 3 liters), hiking poles if you often hike with them, hat, sunscreen, snack or light lunch, layered clothing to adjust to climate change.

Bedford Peak Trail on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/bedford-peak?sh=fcronm
Distance: 7 to 10 miles
Elevation: 2050 to 3000ft gain
Duration: 4 to 6 hours
An Adventure Pass is required for parking.
Route: from Maple Springs Rd coming up Silverado Motorway out and back !


About this hike:
Bald Peak is located in the Cleveland National Forest on the dividing line between Orange and Riverside counties. At 3947 feet it is one of the minor peaks in the Santa Ana Mountains. Santiago peak towers above it at 5687 feet.
There is a parking area at the very end of the Silverado Canyon Road. A dirt road continues on in the same direction as the pavement. It crosses a small stream, then continues past the unmarked Bedford Peak trail, which is on the left just past the stream. From there it is a steady 2000 foot climb to the top. Most of the hike is on an abandoned dirt road, which is labeled on the topographic map as "Silverado Motorway". There are some footpaths near the top. The trail joins the Main Divide Truck Trail, which runs along the crest of the Santa Ana Mountains. After reaching Bedford Peak continue on main divide road for another 2 miles until Bald Peak appears. From the summit, you will be rewarded an amazing view in all directions


Directions:
Heading east on Chapman Ave or north on El Toro Road takes you to Santiago Canyon Road (Santiago Canyon Road connects to Live Oak, Modjeska and Silverado Canyon Roads. Modjeska and Silverado Canyon Roads lead to trails heading up to the Main Divide Road and the summit) We'll meet at Silverado Cafe at 8 am to carpool in Maple Springs Road as very limited parking

DISCLAIMER: Before undertaking any outdoor activity described on this site, it is your personal and exclusive responsibility to ensure that the activity is appropriate for you, that you have researched the activity description, and that you have proper training, equipment, and physical conditioning to safely participate in the planned activity.

REMINDER***: By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings***
>>>YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.
>>>YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY
***Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks and snake bites. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike***