Granite Mountain #2

Granite #2 from a distance, photo by Kathy Wing

Granite Mountain #2, photo by Kathy Wing

Granite Mountai #2, taken from Whale, photo by Sharon Moore

Granite Mountain #2, photo by Judy Akiike

Granite Mountain #2, photo by Sharon Moore

Granite #2 from a distance, Photo by Kathy Wing.

Peak Name

Granite Mountain #2

32A

Elevation

5633

feet

Status

active

Region

San Diego County South Of Hwy 78

Range

San Diego Area Ranges

Nearby peaks

Location

33.0511562,-116.4791831

Description

Granite Mountain #2 occupies the west edge of Anza Borrego State Park, along the old Overland Stagecoach route that connected the old west. Even older, Route 1 starts from Oriflamme Canyon, an old transportation corridor first known as the Yuma Trail, and then as the San Diego Trail. Native Americans would travel it from San Diego Bay to the Colorado River; and, journeying it in 1772, Pedro Fages discovered the beautiful Colorado Desert and San Joaquin Valley. The prominent rocky summit that gives the peak its name offers bountiful views of San Gorgonio to the north, the Salton Sea to the east, and the forested Laguna and Cuyamaca Range to the south and west.

Route 1 starts from Oriflamme Canyon; unless you are feeling bold you might want to stop at the 2WD parking spot on the map and walk a little extra distance. The route traverses on faint jeep road, past old mine ruins, to gain and follow a prominent rocky southeast ridgeline. Route 3 is a cross-country route that starts from the east and works its way up the east ridge to the summit.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

3000′

Navigation Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

8 miles round trip cross-country

Estimated time

7-8 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, strenuous

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

Take I-15 south to Temecula.
Go southeast on SR 79 to Warner Springs.
Continue 3 miles on SR 79 to the intersection with S2 on the left. Turn left.
Go southeast on S2 about 17 miles to SR 78 (Scissors Crossing).
Jog 1/3 mile west on SR 78 (right) and continue on S2 for 9.8 miles to Vallecito Wash on the right (west). Here there is a sign “Oriflamme Canyon”. Turn right.
Note: The condition of the road up Oriflamme varies from year to year. Drive as far as seems appropriate to your vehicle before parking.
Go 1/4 mile to a fork. Go right.
Go 1.8 miles to another fork. Go right.
Go 1/4 mile to where a jeep track appears to the right (north). Park near here. 4WD vehicles can go slightly farther.

Hiking route

From the parking area (2600′), hike up the jeep road to abandoned mine workings at 3500′.
Continue northeast to the top of a ridge that comes southeast down from the peak.
Ascend this ridge to the summit ridge.
Turn right and follow the summit ridge northeast over an intermediate bump to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

High-clearance

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Route 3

Elevation Gain

3200′

Navigation Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

6.5 miles round trip cross-country

Estimated time

7-8 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 2, strenuous

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

Hiking route

From the parking area, descend into the wash just to the north, and follow it west.
After 0.2 miles, the wash forks. Take the left (major) fork.
After 0.9 miles, the wash splits into three forks. Take the right fork.
Go a short distance, then veer left to climb the ridge between the middle and north-most forks.
Continue up the ridge, veering a bit left to a shallow saddle south of 4624′. When you reach this point, you’ll have intersected a major ridge running SE-NW.
Turn right (northwest then west) and continue up this sometimes bouldery ridge, through a few minor saddles, to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route