Modjeska Peak Hike

In This Guide Modjeska Peak Hike Directions

Modjeska Peak Trail Maps

Directions to the Hike Total Distance 15 miles (24.2 km) Hike Time 8 Hours (Total) Difficulty (?) Hard Total Ascent (?) 4,820 feet (1469m) Highest Elevation 5,499 feet (1676m) Fees & Permits Parking Fee Dogs Allowed Leashed Alerts & Closures (?) Cleveland National Forest Park Phone 951-736-1811

The Modjeska Peak hike is challenging – long, steep, and sometimes primitive. The hike climbs to the second highest point in Orange County, Modjeska Peak. Modjeska Peak, at 5,499 feet, is the lower peak in Saddleback Mountain. The highest peak (and other peak in Saddleback Mountain) is Santiago Peak. The actual summit is undeveloped and much nicer than nearby Santiago Peak. This is a challenging hike. Don’t try this hike without a good level of fitness.

Oh, and Modjeska Peak was named after the famous Shakespearian actor, Helena Modjeska. She emigrated from Poland, won acclaim in the USA, and eventually passed in Newport Beach in 1909.

Getting to Modjeska Peak

The trailhead and parking is a little tricky, there’s not a clean Google Maps address.

Use this address in your GPS: 31647-31741 Trabuco Creek Rd, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679.

Here’s the actual latitude and longitude link. You are going to park at the junction on Trabuco Creek Road.

There are some small parking areas along the side of the road here. It’s not a popular trailhead, and I’ve never seen it full. There’s a concrete barrier to get to the trail now, just cross over it after you park.

You need a parking pass for the Cleveland National Forest. I use the affordable National Parks Pass, which gets me in every national park, national monument, and national forest. You can also use an (Southern California only) Adventure Pass, or buy a $5 day permit from the ranger’s office.

Gear for the Hike

This is a long, tough, backcountry hike. You should bring at least 3L of water, more if it’s hot out. This hike has shady sections but can get very hot in the summer. I would also bring insect repellant, bugs can be intense in the summer months.

If you want to camp, there’s a fire pit on the summit of Modjeska Peak, a nice clearing, and great views. It’s obvious that people have done some backcountry camping here.

Modjeska Peak Trail Maps

Most maps have an incorrect path for the Joplin Truck Trail, the main trail for this hike. The GPX file in this hike has the correct route.

There are more mountain bikers than hikers on the Modjeska Peak hike. Give them a wide berth, the trail is narrow.

Click Here To View Map

Download the Hike GPX FileView a Printable PDF Hike Map

Modjeska Peak Hike Directions

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If you miss that last turn, you’re heading to Santiago Peak. Not that it’s a bad thing. And if you want to bag both peaks of Saddleback Mountain in one day, you go straight here, bag Santiago, and then come back.

Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide.

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