BAJA FORTALEZA

So, I've been wanting to do this peak for awhile now. This is part of a 3 peak trek. 

After Baja, is Fortaleza, then Alta Fortaleza. 

Just a little background. My friend Justin named them and has done some some trailwork. He made a nice path and cleared brush towards the first peak.

Alta Fortaleza aka Rafael benchmark was located by Sean in 2018. So, in the attempt to find it, Justin just named it Alta Fortaleza since it was the peak after Fortaleza. 

To add, getting to Fortaleza requires bushwacking through buckthorn and Alta Fortaleza is a steep climb a mile further. Justin is still working on clearing more thick brush.

Anyways, just getting to Baja Fortaleza was the first challenge. We started at North Etiwanda preserve. After a mile or so we took a left turn. (There is a pole with stickers and grafiti).

We followed the road for a bit just before the road splits and ascended the firebreak and followed the ridge route.

A very steep, rocky, slippery but cool route. The views are fantastic. You can see the back of Mt Baldy, Pine and Dawson peaks. 

There were some cool rock outcroppings.

This area is totally exposed with minimal shade under the bushes.

Once we reached the summit it was such a relief. We had 360 degree views. It's a pretty big summit. From here you cannot really see Fortaleza because its buried in the brush and Alta Fortaleza cannot be seen either because its past the steep ridge that you can see from BF.

On the summit. Swallow tail butterflies were all around and of course the nasty deer flies. No shade at the top. There is a register box. 

Only a few have hiked to all 3 peaks in a day. You really need to be fully prepared with lots of H2O, and energy.

I was pleasantly surprised to see my favorite wildflowers, Mariposa LIllies.

We hiked on a hot day and only made it to BF. We will return in the fall and do all 3.

A beautiful hike, and a good workout. I can't wait to go back.

Stats for all three peaks is about 9 miles with 4000+ gain.