Recently, Ashley and I had the chance to hike Sitton Peak in the Cleveland National Forest. During this hike we were selected by the folks at Grape Nuts as summit samplers and sponsored to give samples of Grape-Nuts Fit cereal out to hikers we passed/saw while we were out hiking on the trail to the top of Sitton Peak. Ashley and I have done this hike probably 10 to 15 times, but this was truly a fun and was a very rewarding hike as everyone was presently surprised to get free samples of Grape-Nuts Fit cereal. For more pictures from this hike make sure to check out our
Facebook Page.
Directions to Trailhead: To hike to the top of Sitton Peak Via the
Bear Canyon Loop: Park across the street from the
Ortega Oaks Candy Store off of Ortega Hwy (Coming from Orange County take the Ortega Highway going East). The trailhead is located right behind the candy store, indicated with a sign for the Bear Canyon Trailhead. You want to take the bear canyon loop to the 4 corners area (about 3.5 miles in where the Verdugo Trail, the Tenja Trail, Bear Ridge Trail and Bear Canyon Trail meet). At that point there is a marker for the trail to Sitton Peak. Once you hit the 4 corners area, you have a little over a mile and a half to go, it is mostly uphill from there. The last climb up sitton peak is a fun one, a nice little scramble of less than a quarter mile. A map of the area can be found below in the Google map. You will need a
Forest Adventure Pass to park at the trailhead. One can be purchased at the Ortega Oaks Candy Store across Ortega Highway.
Description of Hike: The total Distance for our hike to Sitton Peak was 10.3 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 2,200 ft. The hike was a little longer than usual since we completed the full Bear Canyon Loop. The full loop is composed of the Bear Ridge Trail and the Bear Canyon Trail. The hike is shorter if you do not complete the full Bear Canyon Loop and use the Bear Canyon Trail both ways. The best thing about this hike is that the trails are well marked and mileage is posted on the trail markers. The trail was in great shape and normally you will see other hikers out on the trail because the hike to Sitton Peak is popular hiking trail in Orange County. Sitton peak is just over 3,200 feet in elevation and the hike is about 10 miles round trip without doing the full loop. Remember to sign in at the
San Mateo Canyon Wilderness register at the trailhead.
Further Thoughts: Ashley and I handed out probably around 25 individual samples of
Grape-Nuts Fit cereal boxes to hikers while on our hike. Both of us had a couple to sample as well before our hike to taste test the samples. We both really enjoyed the cereal and bottom-line is Grape-Nuts Fit cereal tastes amazing!! Grape-Nuts was running a contest and selected us as Summit Samplers to pass out cereal to other hikers while we were out on our hike. The contest was done to commemorate Sir Edmund Hillary's summit of Mt. Everest in 1953. Fueled by Grape-Nuts, Sir Edmund Hillary became the first man to conquer Mt. Everest on May 29, 1953. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of this historic feat, Grape-Nuts invited outdoor enthusiasts nationwide to recreate the cereal's ascent to the highest point on Earth in their own hometown.
During our hike we got a chance to interact with different hikers from all walks of life. We got to meet and have a great series of conversations with a boy scout troop from Irvine California. It was truly a rewarding experience to pass out Grape-Nits Fit cereal, because everyone was presently surprised to get free samples of Grape-Nuts Fit cereal.
The hike to Sitton Peak is a great hike in the Cleveland National Forest and is a must do for any hiker in Orange County or Southern California for that matter. The trail has always been in good shape every time Ashley and I have hiked here. Ashley and I have always seen some type of wildlife while on the hike to Sitton Peak and there is always plenty of evidence along the trail of the wildlife that inhabits the
San Mateo Canyon Wilderness. While on this hike we saw a 4 foot gopher snake, several horned lizards, as well as multiples hawks and turkey vultures.
Rating: Elevation Gain: 2,200 ft. (Moderate), Distance: 10.3 Miles Roundtrip with full Bear Canyon loop (Moderate), 9.8 Miles Roundtrip without loop, only going through the valley (Moderate).
Time to Complete Hike: 4.5 - 6 hours.
MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON SITTON PEAK
June 29, 2013 (This Post)
View Sitton Peak in a larger map
Description of Hike: The total Distance for our hike to Sitton Peak was 10.3 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 2,200 ft. The hike was a little longer than usual since we completed the full Bear Canyon Loop. The full loop is composed of the Bear Ridge Trail and the Bear Canyon Trail. The hike is shorter if you do not complete the full Bear Canyon Loop and use the Bear Canyon Trail both ways. The best thing about this hike is that the trails are well marked and mileage is posted on the trail markers. The trail was in great shape and normally you will see other hikers out on the trail because the hike to Sitton Peak is popular hiking trail in Orange County. Sitton peak is just over 3,200 feet in elevation and the hike is about 10 miles round trip without doing the full loop. Remember to sign in at the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness register at the trailhead.
During our hike we got a chance to interact with different hikers from all walks of life. We got to meet and have a great series of conversations with a boy scout troop from Irvine California. It was truly a rewarding experience to pass out Grape-Nits Fit cereal, because everyone was presently surprised to get free samples of Grape-Nuts Fit cereal.
It's really great that you two guys hike together. I'm slowly but surely getting my other half into the hiking aswell. Here in Ireland we don't tend to get the same glorious weather you guys do though!
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