Saddleback Mountains

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Saddleback Mountains in February 2007 as seen from Rancho Santa Margarita.
Saddleback Mountains in February 2007 as seen from Rancho Santa Margarita.

Saddleback is the landmark formed by the two highest peaks in the Santa Ana Mountains, and the ridge between them. This formation, which resembles a saddle when viewed from most of Orange County, California, dominates the county's eastern skyline, and on the clearest days can be seen from most of the Greater Los Angeles Area.

Santiago Peak is the highest peak in the range and the highest point in the county at 5,687 feet (1,733 m). Modjeska Peak is the second highest at 5,496 feet (1,675 m). The two peaks form part of the border between Orange and Riverside Counties.

The hilly land in south Orange County is known colloquially as Saddleback Valley, and hence many institutions are named after Saddleback, including Saddleback Church, Saddleback College, and the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.