We opted to try to work on knocking out one of Ted’s remaining peaks. There was just one problem – it was going to be a bit windy for all of them. In the end, we settled on Oriflamme Mountain. As we drove out and passed Santa Ysabel, the various flags flying around were straight out. We pulled into the parking area and gathered our gear. I slipped on a fleece and made sure to put a wind shell in my pack. We crossed Sunrise Highway and headed down the old Jeep road.
We cruised along, passing the rusted wreck of a truck. Maybe “Matt’s Off-Road Recovery” could remove it! I spotted the point where we would leave the road and begin the short climb to the summit. There isn’t a trail, but rather the need to use a best-guess method through the brush. For the most part, I got us to the top without any issues. It was quite breezy there, so we snapped a few photos, double checked for a register, and headed back down. We again weaved through the brush and actually exited at exactly the same point, back onto the road! We climbed back up to the car, (got to love those inverted hikes) and along the way, I outlined all my 2026 hiking goals. No surprise, I’ve got a ton!
I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!
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 both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).
I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.