On May 16, 1968, USMC CH-53A Sea Stallion #154875 from HMH-462 at Santa Ana crashed while on a mission to install communications relay equipment atop Toro Peak. One of the sixteen men on board was killed in the accident.
This is the start of the Santa Rosa Mountain Road off Hwy 74. The 12.5 mile road leads to the top of Toro Peak, but there's a closed gate about quarter mile from the top.
Saw this sign on a rock.
Further up the road came upon a tree with a stange message. "Like War To U Fire To Me A Tree Is Death". This is kind of creepy.
Found out later that these signs were painted by "Desert Steve" Ragsdale in the early 20th century warning of the fire danger.
Getting near the top. Was happy to find that the first gate was open. This site has been on my list of sites to visit for a few years, finally getting around to it.
Looking up from the area I parked. The gate is a couple hundred feet up the road. It will be about a quarter mile hike to reach the top.
Looking across the helipad towards the peak.
The helipad from above looking east. The plan is to look for wreckage near the peak and follow it down the slope and hopefuly end up back near the truck.
From the edge of the helipad, I could see small pieces of wreckage.
New comment: Requires approval