Sitton Pretty

Hike to Sitton Peak in the Santa Ana Mountains

Hike Sitton Peak Santa Ana mountains

Sitton Peak is a 3,273-foot summit in the Santa Ana Mountains. All in, a 10-mile (round-trip) hike gets you to a panoramic summit filled with hills galloping toward the Pacific. Start up Bear Canyon Trail from Ortega Highway, just across from San Juan Loop Trail. Views broaden over boulder-strewn ridges and the wide canyon as you hike south at a moderate incline before the final, somewhat punishing 0.33-mile push to the peak.

Sitton Peak Santa Ana Mountains

Grab a seat on one of the boulder outcroppings above the chaparral. As one of the highest summits on the south side of Ortega Highway, Sitton offers towering views of Riverside and Orange counties with an expanding vista across countless green peaks. On clear winter days Catalina Island is visible to the west.

Take I-5 to exit 82 in San Juan Capistrano and drive east on Ortega Hwy. (CA-74) for 19.4 miles to the trailhead parking area on the left for San Juan Loop Trail across from Ortega Oaks Candy Store (34040 Ortega Hwy., Lake Elsinore). Cross to the south side of the highway and begin up Bear Canyon Trail. After 1 mile, turn right to stay on Bear Canyon Trail. After another mile, you can stay right on Bear Canyon Trail or turn left up Bear Ridge Trail, a more scenic but slightly longer alternate route (1.5 miles vs. 1.2 miles) to the next junction called Four Corners (where five trails actually meet). Turn right and hike 1.6 miles to a turnoff for Sitton Peak, which comes in a saddle after a half-mile descent. Turn right up the single track to the summit. All junctions are well-marked. Adventure pass required and can be purchased at the candy store. Bottom photo by @thetacoslayers Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View