Distance: 8.7 miles round trip on trail and cross country
Summit Elevation: 1760' (Bolero), 1624' (Dreaded)
Prominence: 360' (Bolero), 206' (Dreaded)
Elevation Gain: 1618'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.3
Round trip time: 3 hours 35 minutes
Recommended water: 48 oz.
Parking/Fees: $3 OC Parks at Portola Parkway
Difficulty: Moderate
Bolero Lookout is a small peak with a radio tower east of Santiago Canyon Road. Long ago, it had a fire lookout tower. The main dirt road to it crosses private land and I was unsure of the best way to reach it. Mike Sullivan posted a GPS track on peakbagger that accessed it from Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, so I decided to give it a try. I used his track but started from a different trailhead at Portola Parkway. There is a $3 parking fee at Portola because of restrooms and other amenities. The trailhead Mikey used on Santiago Canyon Road does not require a parking fee.
I followed the Borrego Trail into the park. It was sandy and muddy in places, and mostly flat to the 3-way trail junction of Borrego, Red Rock Canyon, and Mustard Road. I took the Red Rock trail looking for the side canyon that would get me to Bolero Road. Ironically, the entrance was behind a "Stay on Trail" sign. A faint use trail leads into the canyon, but quickly disappears as it narrows into a sandy slot. There was a little bushwhacking going up the slot. I didn't stay in the slot canyon very long because it was muddy. As soon as I saw a way up to the ridge, I took it. The ridge wasn't long, and I drifted back into the gully just below the road. Mikey's track followed the road around Bolero and came up behind it. I did the same on the way up, but spotted a trailcam at the road junction just below the summit. It probably got a fine photo of me dropping F-bombs. I increased my pace to the top, took a few photos, a waypoint, then started directly down the slope on the other side back toward the road. Someone could easily ascend the way I came down (not that I am encouraging anyone). In short order, I was back on the ridge in Whiting Ranch dropping into the slot and following the trail back to the 3-way junction. I estimate a round trip to Bolero alone at about 6 miles and 1000' of gain. At the 3-way trail junction, I sat down at a picnic table for some fuel. With Bolero done, I decided to extend the hike to make a trainer out of it. I went up Mustard Road to Watertower Road to Dreaded Hill. On the way back, I took the Billy Goat trail that dumps into the lower end of Mustard Road, then back on the Borrego Trail to the truck. It wasn't a big day, but I did work up a lather.
Leaving the trail
Heading toward Bolero
Summit
Dropping back into Red Rock Canyon
Local residents
Almost to Dreaded Hill
Bolero Lookout from the Billy Goat trail
I was on edge too the entire time after leaving the main trail in Whiting Ranch, also making a hasty retreat. And I climbed the hinge on that formidable gate you made your way around. Still think this was the "safest" route. Glad you were successful!
ReplyDeleteMikey,
DeleteWas going to email you about this. Thanks for posting your track, I was having a difficult time figuring out how to get there. It was a big help!
Nice to see a report on this one. This peak is on my short list. Was just sizing it up from Flores a few weeks ago. Great website!
ReplyDeleteYeti_bomb,
DeleteThanks. I kind of wish the old fire tower was still there.
Wonderful that the area is green from recent rains. The hike up Dreaded Hill is always such a nice steady and pleasant cardio session especially if you approach it from the Serrano Creek Trail. I also think Red Rock Canyon is a slightly disappointing place because it isn't that big and the rocks honestly aren't that red.
ReplyDeleteHarro There,
DeleteStuff is going to be very green after this next set of storms. Definitely a better workout going up from Serrano Creek. I've only gone from the other side. Yeah, Red Rock doesn't compare to big attractions like Zion or the Grand Canyon, but is pretty unique for the OC.