Iron Hiker: Peak 2220

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Peak 2220

Hiked: 1/16/2016
Distance: 3.1 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 2220'
Prominence: 370'
Elevation Gain: 1000'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.8
Round trip time: 52 minutes
Recommended water: 16 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free on Modjeska Canyon Road
Difficulty: Easy

Peak 2220 is a quick hike on a smooth trail near Modejska Reservoir in the Santa Ana Mountains. The trail starts at the end of Mark Road, a short private drive where parking is prohibited. To get there, I parked on Modjeska Canyon Road just over the small bridge before the left turn to head to the bird sanctuary. There is room on the right side of the road for about 2 cars in front of the sign. I walked back over the bridge, headed right on Markuson Road, and left on Mark Road in less than half a mile. At the end of Mark Road, a dirt road heads through a couple of gates, both open when I was there, then shrinks to a wide single track as it winds up the canyon. In about a mile, it gains the ridge line that heads directly to Peak 2220. An Orange County benchmark is on top, but I didn't find a register. From the summit, I headed north and south to nice viewpoints at both ends of the peak. I jogged most of the way down the smooth trail to finish in less than an hour.

Mark Road with warning sign, I think regarding parking

Approaching Peak 2220

OC Benchmark, placed 1980

Pleasants Peak far right with towers, snowy San Gabriels in the distance

Update: 3/27/2016

I made a second visit as a plan B after finding upper Halfway Canyon Road blocked by Irvine Water District restrictions. After reaching Peak 2220, I continued down the parallel ridge to reach the last two bumps, peak 1901 and peak 1892. It was a nice addition to the hike with a lot of wild flowers. I built up the small cairn on 1892 and came back on a brush free road that runs below 2220. This variation was 4.7 miles and 1530' of gain.