Hike Santiago Peak via Holy Jim Falls Cleveland National Forest, CA

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Santiago Peak, the highest point of the Santa Ana Mountains, offers a nice, moderate grade to the summit, with really nice hilly views the whole way up. From the Holy Jim Trailhead, follow a road, passing some homes along the way. You'll get to the official trailhead, which leaves the dirt road and follows a well-beaten trail to the trickling Holy Jim Falls (probably just not the best time of year to visit). After the falls, go back a short way and continue up the trail toward Santiago Peak. Toward the top, you hit a dirt road. Going left follows the road to the summit, but going right, which seems counterintuitive, follows the road for a few hundred feet before a trail appears on the left, which is a much nicer approach to the summit than the road. The best views of the day were on this approach. I took the road on the way back to see what the difference was. Anyway, eventually, the prettier route (the trail) will meet back up with the road, which you have to follow to the Santiago Peak summit. Once at the summit, radio towers make it a little confusing to find the summit, but just keep following dirt roads that gain elevation, and soon the summit will be clear.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Santiago Peak

5687 ft

4387 rise

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Heading up the dirt road toward the trailhead. Locals only past this point, hence why you need to walk on a dirt road.

Looking back along the dirt road, a house on the left.

Starting the official trail.

Into the canyon leading to Holy Jim Falls.

Holy Jim Falls.

Back at the junction - left goes back to the trailhead, right goes up to Santiago Peak.

Switchbacks up the side of the mountain.

Views of Santiago Peak. See the little white towers on top of that mountain?

A quick section of forest before hitting the road.

Following the road to the right to find the trail.

Trail appears on the left (this photo was taken looking back the way I came).

Great views along this ridge trail leading up to Santiago Peak. I highly recommend taking this rather than the road.

Eventually, the trail meets back up with the road.

Follow the road to Santiago Peak.

Santiago Peak summit.

Close-up view toward a CA wildfire (left, far in the distance).

View looking southeast, down toward Holy Jim Canyon, the way I came.

View looking southwest-ish toward the ocean.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!