Hiking Trail Guide: Vulture Crags Santiago Trail, Cleveland NF

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Vulture Crags Santiago Trail, Cleveland NF

Distance
7 miles

Elevation
1350 feet gain

Difficulty
5/10

City
Silverado ,CA (92676) 39.36 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
From Interstate 5, take the El Toro Road exit in Lake Forest. Head North/Northeast up El Toro Road towards the mountains. At Cook's Corner, take the left fork. Proceed to your second paved right which is Modjeska Grade. Park near the bottom of the hill and walk up to the Santiago Truck Trail gate.

Description

This trail takes you over an ancient route with a view of the ocean on clear days and multitudinous wildflowers in the Spring.

The "vultures" that roosted on the conglomerate cliffs and minarets were California Condors. Like the last wild California Grizzly -- who died five miles away at the mouth of Trabuco Canyon -- the condors who nested here were exterminated by farmers with guns and poisoned carcasses. The ridgeline trail to the crags is unshaded: bring a hat and sunscreen.

Look for fossils in the rocks on the north-facing cuts and on the trail itself. Watch out for mountain lions and oblivious trail bikers.

Map / Directions: