After my road walk up Santiago Peak, I decided to make the relatively short climb up Modjeska Peak. In the past, I could have taken the connector trail from the saddle over to partway up the peak. However, a small landslide had appeared to wipe out a section of that trail. So, instead, I returned to my parked car and took the other road to the summit. There is a fire break cut through here from an older fire. Unlike the road up Santiago, this road was quite rocky and certainly not one I cared to drive. When I passed the junction to the connector trail, I then had the choice to take the short, albeit steeper and direct fire break to the summit, or follow the road around the side of the mountain. I was feeling good, so I pushed up the steep fire break.
From the summit, I could take in the extent of the fire on Santiago Peak. I found the summit sign and took a few photos. It was starting to warm up, so I was ready to return to the car. Rather than deal with that steep rocky fire break, I took the road back. While not exactly rock-free, the grade was certainly less. Once back at the car, I pulled in behind 3 vehicles that were also heading down. Before too long, I was back in Silverado Canyon and headed home. The side trip up Modjeska Peak took 42 minutes to cover the 1.65 miles and 432 feet of gain.
I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.