Bedford Peak 2010-01-02
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:37 am
We hiked Bedford Peak in the Santa Ana Mountains Saturday.
The unmarked trail begins off Maple Springs Road and is shown on topo maps as the Silverado Motorway.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03771/755827475_TNssL-L.jpg)
The last vehicle traffic here must have been 50 years ago. A couple of barriers and a downed tree prevent motorized access.
The road bed has not been maintained and is impassible in several spots anyway.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03774/755828459_bVcBw-L.jpg)
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03772/755827812_JUP6p-L.jpg)
This area has seen some geologic activity as evidenced by the bent rock layers.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03814/756311594_CYfTk-L.jpg)
The day was pretty clear. As we got higher the views across Orange County and out to San Clemente and Catalina were great.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/Pano38383844/755838641_3hrbq-XL.jpg)
Digital cameras don't cut through the haze that well. The eye sees more than the camera can capture. It does not show in the pictures, but we did get a glimpse of Santa Barbara Island 86 miles distant.
Modjeska and Santiago Peaks loomed to the south.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03874/755830861_R3A24-L.jpg)
The northern end of the Santa Anas.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/Pano38303836/755837932_C8VL4-XL.jpg)
Near the top of Bedford Peak, we reach the Main Divide Road which is surprisingly well maintained.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03857/755828746_ZaFqr-L.jpg)
A sweeping view to the east shows Baldy, Gorgonio, and Jacinto.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/Pano38583867/755840806_WFqNU-XL.jpg)
San Gorgonio with Lake Matthews.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03869a/755829752_mhV8d-L.jpg)
The unmarked trail begins off Maple Springs Road and is shown on topo maps as the Silverado Motorway.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03771/755827475_TNssL-L.jpg)
The last vehicle traffic here must have been 50 years ago. A couple of barriers and a downed tree prevent motorized access.
The road bed has not been maintained and is impassible in several spots anyway.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03774/755828459_bVcBw-L.jpg)
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03772/755827812_JUP6p-L.jpg)
This area has seen some geologic activity as evidenced by the bent rock layers.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03814/756311594_CYfTk-L.jpg)
The day was pretty clear. As we got higher the views across Orange County and out to San Clemente and Catalina were great.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/Pano38383844/755838641_3hrbq-XL.jpg)
Digital cameras don't cut through the haze that well. The eye sees more than the camera can capture. It does not show in the pictures, but we did get a glimpse of Santa Barbara Island 86 miles distant.
Modjeska and Santiago Peaks loomed to the south.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03874/755830861_R3A24-L.jpg)
The northern end of the Santa Anas.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/Pano38303836/755837932_C8VL4-XL.jpg)
Near the top of Bedford Peak, we reach the Main Divide Road which is surprisingly well maintained.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03857/755828746_ZaFqr-L.jpg)
A sweeping view to the east shows Baldy, Gorgonio, and Jacinto.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/Pano38583867/755840806_WFqNU-XL.jpg)
San Gorgonio with Lake Matthews.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/richardk.smugmug.com/Nature/Bedford-Peak-2010-01-02/DSC03869a/755829752_mhV8d-L.jpg)