Mountain Training Series – San Mateo Peak via Morgan Trail (~14-15 Mi)

Join us for the second hike in our mountain training series, progressing toward longer and higher-elevation routes such as the Southern California Six-Peak Challenge, San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, and Mt. Whitney–style objectives.

We’ll hike to San Mateo Peak via the Morgan Trail in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness, part of the Cleveland National Forest. Starting from the Bear Canyon Trailhead near the Ortega Oaks Candy Store, the route follows the Morgan Trail for several miles of relatively gentle, rolling terrain before transitioning onto the San Mateo Peak trail for the main climb. We’ll return the same way.

The full out-and-back route is approximately 14–15 miles round trip with ~2,600 feet of total elevation gain. The route prioritizes sustained movement and cumulative effort over short, steep climbs.

Training focus — endurance base:
The extended approach along Morgan Trail allows for continuous forward movement early, building endurance, efficiency, and pacing discipline. Reaching the San Mateo Peak climb with fatigue already present reinforces the ability to manage effort later in the hike—an essential skill for progressing toward longer and more demanding mountain hikes later in the series.

This hike emphasizes efficient movement, endurance, and pacing under cumulative fatigue. We’ll maintain a steady pace with limited stopping and regroup at key points.

Who this hike is best suited for:
Hikers who are comfortable with long mileage, sustained movement, and maintaining a steady pace for extended periods of time.

Limited Group Size: Group size will be intentionally limited to keep things organized on a long, sustained route. While the trail itself is straightforward, there will be no backup leads or sweep, so please be comfortable hiking at a steady, moderate-to-fast pace and navigating independently if you fall behind. We’ll aim to regroup at major junctions or logical stopping points. If the event fills up, please join the waitlist—we may open additional spots as space allows.

Details:
Location: 34040 Ortega Hwy, Lake Elsinore, CA
Trailhead: Bear Canyon Trailhead (near Ortega Oaks Candy Store)
Parking: Park along Ortega Highway (Hwy 74). The main trailhead lot is currently closed.
Distance / Elevation: ~14–15 miles with ~2,600 ft cumulative gain (based on actual GPS data from a previous hike; third-party apps may report lower totals)
Duration: ~4.5–5 hours, depending on pace and breaks
⚠️ IMPORTANT – Forest Adventure Pass Required
Parking is within Cleveland National Forest. A Forest Adventure Pass is required and should be purchased in advance to avoid citations.

Route Map (AllTrails):
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/san-mateo-peak-via-morgan-trail-8ebda54?u=i&sh=pxabuh

Essentials:
• Traction hiking shoes
• Water (2-3L; electrolytes recommended)
• Light snacks
• Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• Hiking poles (recommended if you normally use them)

Note on Punctuality & RSVP: Please be on time — we’ll wait up to 5 minutes past the start. If you’re running late, you can post your ETA in the event discussion, but the group may still begin without you. If your plans change, please update your RSVP — it helps us know who to expect on the trail.
Disclaimer & Safety Notice: Not So Casual Hikes are challenging outings designed for hikers in strong shape who know their limits and show up prepared. Organizers are volunteers—not guides—and cannot be responsible for your pace, navigation, or safety. We hike at a steady pace and the group may spread out. Please be prepared to navigate independently if you fall behind, though we’ll aim to check in at major junctions when possible. By signing up, you accept full responsibility for your fitness, gear, hydration, and navigation, and agree to hold harmless the Organizer, Co-Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and fellow participants for any incidents or injuries. Participation also means you agree to Meetup’s Terms of Service. Hiking carries inherent risks, including trip/fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak, ticks, snakes, coyotes, or mountain lions. Be prepared for sun exposure, heat, or marine layer conditions depending on the day.