Santa Mountains divide Orange and Riverside Counties in Southern California. The highest peaks, Modjeska and Santiago, create a ridge that looks like a saddle. Thus, together, they are often called "Saddleback Mountain." The highest peak, Santiago, towers over Orange County at 5,700 feet in elevation. I climbed the mountain on December 26, 1998, when most of these pictures were taken.

(77K) 640 x 430	One of the best gateways to the Santa Ana Mts is through Santiago Canyon. At the commencement of the trail, you find Maple Creek. From here, it is 12.5 miles, 4,000 ft in elevation before you reach the top of Santiago Peak. Using a Mountain Bike, I walked and rode to the top in 5 hours, and rode down in 1 hour.	(64K) 640 x 468	This is what the "Saddleback" looks like from southern Orange County. Snow on the top is not uncommon after a Winter storm, but it melts very fast.
(58K) 640 x 451	Modjeska Peak from ridge along Santiago Canyon. On this particular day, there was snow on the top of Modjeska and the ridges below.	(44K) 640 x 401	Looking over ridge of Santa Ana Mountains into Riverside County. Yes, that blue sliver in the background is a lake.
(60K) 640 x 440	There's not many trees in the Santa Ana Mts, but here a few pines enjoy the solitude.	(62K) 640 x 435	Here are the crossroads, where the trails from Santiago and Modjeska Canyons meet the trail that travels along the ridge of the Santa Ana Mountains.
(63K) 640 x 444	Santiago Peak from base ridge of Modjeska. Notice the trail criss-crossing to the top.	(69K) 640 x 428	The view of Riverside County from the "saddle" of the Saddleback Mountains.
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(67K) 640 x 431	The very top: this is what it looks like on the top of Santiago Mountain.	(33K) 640 x 409	View from Santiago Peak, looking Westward into the sun. If you look closely, you can see Catalina Island stretching itself up through the shimmering Pacific Ocean.
(34K) 640 x 361	Modjeska Peak from Santiago Peak.	(31K) 640 x 436	Looking south from Santiago Peak, towards San Diego County. On a completely clear day, you can see Mexico from here. Not on this day, however.
(34K) 640 x 428	Southern Santa Ana Mountains, viewed from atop mighty Santiago Peak.	(53K) 640 x 432	Looking towards Palm Springs from Santiago Peak.
(58K) 640 x 438	Trabuco Mountain, viewed from Santiago Peak.	(59K) 640 x 429	Back at the trailhead in Silverado Canyon. Rather picturesque, considering it's Southern California and only 10 miles or so from "civilization," so-called.
(52K) 640 x 442	One last backward glance at Santa Ana Mountains, looking toward San Bernadino Mountains in far background.