Bauer Benchmark

Hiked: 10/6/2017
Distance: 1.8 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 806'
Elevation Gain: 612'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.49
Round trip time: 40 minutes
Recommended water: 0 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free on E Creekside Ave
Difficulty: Easy

I parked on E Creekside in Orange, although parking on E Stillwater would be just as convenient. The single track trail in the El Modena Open Space starts across North Cannon street between Creekside and Stillwater. The trail winds around the first bump then climbs up the ridge. At the top of the first bump, water in the Santiago Creek Recharge Basin comes into view. You can also see a second unnamed bump between you and Bauer, the high point in the open space preserve. I jogged parts of the class 1 trail, enjoying what looked like volcanic rock toward the top. The benchmark is at the north end of the ridge. The cement area surrounding the benchmark was painted using a geometric stencil creating an arrow between two painted skulls. The paint covered part of the worn benchmark making it hard to read. I could make out "Bauer" and "Dec 1977" but was unable to determine the agency that placed it, usually shown around the perimeter. An Internet search turned up additional reference marks (geocaching.com) that were placed by the Orange County Surveyor, so it is reasonable to expect the benchmark was also placed by the County. The views were good but hazy. A couple and their dog arrived from the north a few seconds after I left. At the saddle between the first and second bumps, I took a side trail down the east slope that dropped me onto Cannon Street just above Creekside. I continued down Cannon to the truck and returned to work. This was my third lunchbagging peak. Fun for a quick work out.

Start of the trail

Up to the first bump

Looking over the middle bump to Bauer

Approaching Bauer

Benchmark and graffiti

Northwest to the recharge basin

Northeast to Chino Hills

Side trail back to Cannon