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Small Peak in Robinson Ranch

November 2, 2012 By Jeff H 7 Comments

Ridgeline

Trail Details
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,142 ft
When to go: Year round
Small Peak is the name my friend John gave this knoll in the foothills of the Cleveland National Forest behind Orange County’s Robinson Ranch. This hike is a 3 mile out-and-back route that climbs up to this little peak, which in spite of its name, has some big views over much of Orange County. At 3 miles, this trail isn’t particularly long, but it climbs over 1,000 vertical feet, making it a great workout.

One of my hiking friends introduced me to this trail on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and I figure I burned off at least part of the feast I ate the day before.

The start of this trail is non-obvious. We parked on a bend in a residential neighborhood then hoofed it up a concrete culvert. Not an auspicious beginning to the hike, but my friend John assured us this was the best way.

Yes, we are actually take a shortcut up that culvert

The trail meanders through a valley, then quickly winds up and around the hill to reach the ridge-line.

At this point, most of the trail is double-track and well defined. But watch closely for a narrower trail leading off along the ridge to the right. That’s our trail.

Looking up the mountain

The trail gets steep at times, and the gravel can make your footing treacherous. Trekking poles are highly recommended!

Trekking poles are useful on this trail

Looking back down the narrow ridge-line trail, you are rewarded with amazing views across much of south Orange County. On this clear day, we even saw the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island on the horizon!

Looking back down the trail

Small Peak Panorama

As you can see from this panorama, it doesn’t take long for you to feel miles away, even in Orange County. Whether you use this trail as a great, quick, fresh-air cardio workout or simply an opportunity to reset your clock, Small Peak beckons.

Small Peak Trail Map and Elevation Profile

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: 894792.gpx

Photo Gallery

Click on a thumbnail to view a larger version.

On the trail
Trail
Trail Marker
Amazing OC view
Looking up the mountain
Ridgeline
Down in the valley
Looking back down the trail
Yes, we are actually take a shortcut up that culvert
OC Panorama
Small Peak Panorama
The SoCal Hiker
Trekking poles are useful on this trail

Essential Small Peak Resources

  • Download GPX file for your GPS[urldisplaymode=nomap]
  • View trail in Google Earth[urldisplaymode=nomap]

Related

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 3 Mile, 3-6 miles, hike, hills, moderate, Orange County, peak, Robinson Ranch, vista

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Jeff H

About Jeff H

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

Comments

  1. John says

    February 6, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    Hey Jeff, John here! I was gathering hiking trail info from the meetup group descriptions and stumbled across your blog. Thanks for posting this hike, and LOL at citing my Mayfield trailhead recommendation! Hope you and Joan are doing well…cheers.

    Reply
    • Jeff Hester says

      February 6, 2013 at 1:25 pm

      Hey John! Great to hear from you! Joan and I are doing well. We’re up in Los Angeles since last August and loving it. Let me know if you head up this way and we’ll hit the trails up here.

      Reply
  2. Will Sharpe says

    November 23, 2019 at 5:05 pm

    Found this hike here on your site. My friend (who is also named Jeff) and I hiked up here this afternoon. Great views from a place that wasn’t too difficult to get to! I’ll certainly be back.

    Reply
  3. Paul Agnew says

    November 29, 2020 at 7:08 pm

    Hello, this is known locally as Bell Peak aka the “Flag Pole”. It is most often started at the Bell View Trail trailhead at a small park on Robinson Ranch Rd. The trail continues to Los Pinos peak. Very hot in the summer months.

    Reply
    • Jeff HJeff Hester says

      December 5, 2020 at 8:23 am

      Thanks, Paul! I’m going to update this as our “starting point” was definitely not the best. I’ll have to look into the route to Los Pinos peak. Sounds tough!

      Reply

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