Santiago Peak

Santiago Peak in Southern California's Santa Ana range gives a SW launch into the Trabuco Canyon wash. Check that the gates to the access road are open before you drive up — they close for protected-toad mating season and other reasons. Two roads to launch: Main Divide from the 74, and one up from Silverado (the gate is often closed — check beforehand). Both roads require 4WD; roughly 1+ hour from the 74, 45+ min from Silverado. Launch is flat and typically sits in wind shadow — good forward-launching skills required.

Launch & conditions

SW-facing launch into Trabuco Canyon wash. Flat and typically in wind shadow — good forward-launching skills required (a friend broke lines on two wings trying to launch and gave up).

Getting there & local rules

Two access roads: Main Divide from Highway 74 (turn the other way instead of going to Elsinore), or up from Silverado (gate often closed — check beforehand). Both require 4WD. About 1+ hour from the 74 or 45+ minutes from Silverado. Check that gates are open before driving up. Landing: baseball field LZ may have games in progress — pilots have landed among active games and been cheered on, but reaction depends on the crowd.

Local rules & hazards

Gates to the access road may be closed for protected-toad mating season and other reasons — check before you drive up. Both roads require 4WD. Wind shadow at launch means good forward-launching skills are required.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Santiago Peak, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Santiago Peak with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.