SANTIAGO PEAK

This is a strenuous, but rewarding, 8-10 hour day hike to the summit of Orange County's highest peak. The hike is a 15 mile round trip hike with a 4000 foot elevation gain to Santiago Peak's summit of 5687 feet. On a clear day you will have breathtaking views of Santa Catalina and San Clemente islands. On the horizon you will see the Santa Monica, San Gabriel, San Bernadino, Santa Rosa, and Cuyamaca mountains as well as Palomar Mountain. Far to the south you might the mountains of Mexico.

This award is for Scouts, Venturers, and Scouters who meet the following requirements.

Requirements:

• ComplywiththeHighAdventureGeneralRequirements.

• At least one adult going on the training hike and summit hike must have completed a Council Basic Backpack Awareness Course and at least one adult must have a current Red Cross First Aid card or equivalent.

• Participants must complete a 10 mile training day hike within 60 days prior to the summit trip.

• You must start and end your day hike in the dirt parking lot just past the Holy Jim Volunteer Fire Dept. 4.7 miles after turning off the Live Oak Canyon Road. It is permissible to begin and end further downhill of the parking lot, to extend the trip length to qualify for the Hiking Merit Badge requirement of 20 miles.

NOTE: It is recommended that groups bring water for the whole hike as Bear Springs is sometimes dry. Temperatures form late May through the end of September may be quite high, suggesting that planning a hike in these months may not be prudent for some groups. Trail description and directions can be found in Jerry Schad's book, "Afoot and Afield in Orange County". Use the Santiago Peak topo.