Since the Maple Springs Road and portions of the North Main Divide Road were recently reopened after the Airport Fire, I knew that I should take this opportunity and knock out Santiago and Modjeska Peaks. The drive up from Silverado Canyon was uneventful with just a few folks walking along the paved section, getting their morning exercise in. The north side of the mountain was untouched by the fire, so it was still nice and green. As I neared the ridge, I could start to see the fire damage. When I was atop Sitton Peak a few days earlier, the extent of the fire was clear to see. I parked at my usual spot, at the junction with the road to Modjeska and the road that continues onto Santiago Peak. A water tanker was parked here. Since the road was in really good shape, I assumed it was here to help keep the dust down during the road work. I was surprised to find another car there this early, but it turns out they had driven up the night before and had camped there. After I gathered my gear, I chatted with them a bit. They said that they counted 30 cars driving up to the summit last night. I said my farewell and set off down the road. The landscape was devoid of the trees and brush that lined its slopes. While wildflowers were blooming and some green grasses were taking hold, it was a strange sight. I could easily see the trail I typically took to the summit of Santiago and the connector trail that I used for Modejska.
Once I reached the junction with the Joplin Trail, a warning sign told of its closure. With the Holy Jim Trail also closed, either a very long hike up an active road or starting partway up were the only options (sans just driving to the top) to summit this peak. A bit further down the road that had clearly been rebuilt, I passed the saddle between the two peaks. It is here that the trail breaks away from the road. I knew that no work had been done on it, so I was not too keen on using it. I did find that someone left a summit sign here, so I snapped a quick photo before continuing along the road. Looking back to the south, I could see the damage to Modjeska and also spied a landslide that had passed over the trail. I can recall that section of the trail before the fire as one that seemed a bit unstable. After a few turns, the summit came into view. Along the way, two SUVs passed me. They parked off next to one set of the towers, while I made my way to the summit. I snapped a few pictures before walking to the south end of the area to see the damage. I can recall watching the live video from the tower cameras as the fire raced over the summit.
Since today was a federal holiday, I wanted to get back down before more traffic headed up the mountain. I again thought about taking the trail down, but it was getting warmer and I wanted to summit Modjeska as well. I hustled back to the car, as taking that connector trail was not an option. Back at the car, the boys who had camped had packed up and left, and I stopped my tracker, as I wanted to have a Modjeska-only track recorded. I was up and down in 2 hours flat, covering 6.29 miles with 979 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.