Trail Mix

Training for the Himalayas? Try running up and down Mt. Whitney, highest point in the contiguous United States, a few times. Hoping to bag Whitney? Mt. Gorgonio, highest in Southern California, is the hill for you. Gearing up for Gorgonio? Santiago Peak, tallest in Orange County at 5,687 feet and one of the twin summits (with Modjeska Peak) that make up “Old Saddleback,” is hardly a walk in the park.

Setting your sights on Santiago? Have we got a conditioning hike for you! Bedford Peak, also in the Santa Ana Mountains, is a modest 3,800 feet, and the hike to the top and back, about 6 1/2 miles round-trip, can be managed in a few hours--but you’ll feel it for sure, whatever you’re training for. Fall and spring are optimal, but El Nino permitting, winter hikes are preferable to summer.

1. MORNING

When it comes to local hiking, what separates the men from the boys, and the women from the girls, is the east-west watershed and dirt road appropriately known as the Main Divide. The summits along the Main Divide, from Sierra Peak in the north to Trabuco Peak in the south, and including Old Saddleback, also roughly demarcate Riverside and Orange counties.

The quickest way to reach the Divide, and Bedford Peak, is via the Silverado Motorway. Motor vehicles are prohibited on the Motorway, now reduced to a trail, but you aren’t.

To find it, drive east on Silverado Canyon Road, past Thisa Way, which intersects with Thata Way, and the town of Silverado, to the road’s end, and park. Continue on foot past the vehicle gate into Cleveland National Forest; you’re now on Maple Springs Road.

Don’t miss the itty-bitty post, just a short distance up on your left, that marks the trail head--not with the name of the Motorway, merely with the warning that vehicles aren’t allowed. (I missed it by a mile, literally, and had to backtrack. Vehicle barriers at the same turnout provide more obvious landmarks.)

The trail heads sharply back to the left. As you ascend, you can keep in sight the white water tower in the canyon behind you as a marker. At trail side you’ll occasionally see markedly stratified wall formations. The grade is relatively steep.

About halfway up, a jogger passed on his way down. Hoping to confirm my location vis-a-vis Bedford Peak, I asked for directions. Without breaking stride, he said, “Electric towers, turn left.” Thirty yards later, he corrected himself, yelling back, “Main Divide, turn left.”

In fact, you’ll want to turn right, just beyond the faint crackling of the electric lines, at the Main Divide, a juncture recently marked by two white ribbons tied to a branch. About a quarter of a mile later, you’ll top out on a semi-level hump. There you’ll see what could either be described as a wire sculpture, horizontal basketball hoop or sock-less windsock. I chose a gray day with threatening rain, but on a clear day, spectacular coastal and mountain views could be yours.

During the descent, the sounds of an electric guitar wafting up from the canyon were a reminder that for much of this hike, though you’re far from civilization, you’re still within earshot. Wilderness guidelines apply: Take plenty of water.

2. LUNCH

Just inside the door at Firehouse Pub & Grub is a mannequin fully suited in firefighting regalia, and more fire equipment behind glass cases. Fire hats line the bar. Real-life on-call firefighters serve the beer and burgers. There’s a regulation horseshoe pit adjacent to the patio.

Appetizers include Hazardous Materials Nachos and Paramedics Potato Skins ($4.95 each). Among main dishes are Corrosive Chili Size ($5.75) and, after 5 p.m., Life-Saving Lasagna ($6.25) and Pyro Pork Chops ($7.95).

The Pub, which opened last year, also offers a Biker Night enchilada buffet 5-8 p.m. Thursdays, and breakfast items 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on weekends. If you just bagged Bedford Peak--or tried--you’ve earned it.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

1. Bedford Peak

Santa Ana Mountains, Silverado Motorway and Main Divide, Cleveland National Forest/Trabuco Ranger District, (909) 736-1811.

2. Firehouse Pub & Grub

28222 Silverado Canyon Road, Silverado, (714) 649-0569.

3-10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 3-11 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.

PARKING / BUSES

Parking: There is free parking at the turnaround at the end of Silverado Canyon Road and in a lot at the restaurant.

Buses: There is no bus service to Silverado.