Red Mountain aka Signal Peak

Cisco Grove, CA

The following info is meant to supplement the Web Site of Rob Crockett’s detailed directions and information found at: http://www.ncws.com/rcrock/redmtnst.htm

Be sure to write down Rob’s directions before taking the trip.

From Santa Cruz, it was 245 miles one way to the summit.

The 7.2 mile dirt road from Cisco Grove to the summit will take 30 minutes. A car or van with decent clearance will only get you in to the 6.0 mile mark, although the road is testy at 5.4 miles A 2 WD pick-up can make it all the way to the top. 4 WD is recommended if you have it available. The campsites at 3.2 & 3.4 miles are improved sites, although there are many places to camp further towards the summit. I noted nice areas at 4.0, 4.3, 5.2, 5.7, and 6.0. My favorite was at 6.0 miles on the left side of the road. There is a pond on the right side. Bring MOSQUITO repellant.

Other info:

Bring a Camera

Bring Binoculars

Bring Sunscreen

Insect Repellant

National Forest – target shooting allowed.

There is a cave/old mine on the North face.  Park on the right before you start the last ascent to the summit and walk to the side.  The mine is readily visible about 2/3 of the way up the slope.

Landings are on rock, with few bushes to get lucky enough to land in consistently.  I’ll bring a huge tarp next time I go.  If you can hand catch, no problem.

Great Wildflowers

Check out the damaged chain link fence around the antennas.  It was all done by snow damage.  It looks like King Kong came through the place.

If you walk all the way out the South ridge, you’ll see an old concrete lookout and living quarters.  It was used to signal trains of snow and slide conditions on the tracks, hence the name “Signal Peak”.   It was most likely used as a fire lookout as well.

Scott Hewett

7/21/2000