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    Mount Pinos

    4.3 (43 reviews)

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    A whopping 2 miles to make it to the summit of Mt. Pinos
    Tony H.

    A nice hike, not too tough or strenuous but you can definitely get a good long hike in if you want. I came here to hike the Sawmill mountain summit which is actually one of the alternate peaks on the six pack of peaks challenge. Sawmill is around 2.5 miles after you get to the amount Pinos summit, and part of the 3, 2, 1 challenge is hiking over to Grouse Mountain which is about another mile away from Sawmill. Round trip if you do all 3 peaks you'll get around 10.5 to 11 miles with a little over 2,000 of elevation gains. The biggest climb is about 450-550 feet coming back from Sawmill to Pinos. There aren't any major elevation climbs compared to the rest of the hikes on the six peak challenge so this hike won't be brutal in that aspect. On the trail you have beautiful view of trees all around you from within the forest, along with a few open meadows, and far range views of the rest of the mountains out in the range. If you plan on going to the other summits here I'd suggest using the All Trails app & downloading the map in offline mode since there are parts of the trail that aren't marked. Also don't forget your adventure pass when you get to the parking lot.

    Aileen R.

    Located in Los Padres National Forest and the closest nearby town is Frazier Park. Mt. Pinos was sacred land to the Chumash Native Americans. They called it Iwhihinmu, their sacred site. The hike up to Mt. Pinos is now one of the twelve peaks in the 12 pack of peaks you can hike in Southern California. It is probably the easiest one. In order to get to the trailhead you have to park at the Nordic Base. If you have not done this hike I highly recommend it even for a beginner. It is such a beautiful forest even with snow on it.

    Pinay A.

    Conquered Mount Pinos via Mc Gill Trail total of 16 miles. Mount Pinos is an awesome easy hike. It reminds me of San Bernardino Peak...long trail and you wonder, "are we there yet" haha Adventure pass is needed. Must bring enough water if starting from Mc Gill Trail. Some gnats on the trail, try and wear face net to cover. Gnats can be annoying when hiking. Overall...beautiful hike

    Hiking mount pinos !
    Marlene G.

    Great views and a beautiful hike reminding me of Washington! Not a hard hike and perfect to enjoy lots of shade parts through out the hike

    Puppy's first snow
    Lauren L.

    This was my first time visiting this mountain. As we began our drive up there was very little snow, mostly dirt and ice so we were very surprised at the amount of beautiful, fresh powder that awaited us as we got Bear the top of the mountain, it even started snowing! The drive was beautiful, but if your car is not an AWD you must chain your tires because you will not be permitted to drive up the mountain. There are restrooms at the very top with a circular parking lot. I went on Sunday and even though it was pretty busy, I found great spots to pull over where there were maybe 1 or 2 other cars. The scenery is beautiful, it's a great place for photos, hiking with your dogs and sledding. I really enjoyed this snowy mountain and love that it's so close to LA. I have always gone to Wrightwood but Mount Pinos is much larger and the snow was fantastic!

    Trixie B.

    Our Siberian husky loves the snow and this was our first chance this year to have some. Great if you want snow play and to avoid skiers. Large parking area, well maintained road up, mostly pleasant people. Lots of snowy walks and sled areas. Go early to get a spot if you want to sled. No concessions so bring your hot chocolate.

    Winter in Mt Pinos
    Siamrath B.

    Hard to find parking during the holidays but this place is amazing! One of the most amazing places I ever seen in California. It's definitely one of my favorite places to go to during the holidays and the new year now! Parking can be a bit difficult to find if you're coming here on a weekend. Plan accordingly! I recommend to go there early!

    Denis G.

    Really nice place to visit in the winter. Just came back from it today, so here are some things to keep in mind: - there is no paid entrance, but you do need to bring your "Adventure Pass" to display in the parked car while you go off exploring - there is a nearby restroom in the huge parking lot - bring your own sled if you have children - venture off nearby trails to explore snow all around you. - dress warm because it's cold up there in December. Enjoy the nature around you!

    My friend on the way down. 11 miles is a good workout she felt happy because we're almost back to the car in this pic.
    Dolcesmom M.

    This is a beautiful hike. And super easy if you take the trail from Nordic station. Its only 2 miles in from the parking. This peak is included in the six pack of peaks challenge and for new hikers this is a great one to start with. If you consider yourself an advance hiker don't stop there, take on the 3-2-1 challenge, its 3 peaks, in 11 miles in one day and you will have summited the highest peak in Ventura county and the highest peak in Kern County, a truly beautiful trail without to much human traffic, just start early because it does get hot. My friends and I did the 11 miles, and I managed to cross another peak off the challenge for me. I liked the signs by Tumamait trail that told some of the history of the Chumash wilderness. And the north American Indians

    from summit of Mt. Pinos (hot day in valleys below account for haziness)

    We were visiting family in SoCal. One trip was to Frazier Park. In looking for a place where there might be an easy hike, we chose Mt. Pinos. There is a two-mile hike up to the summit from the parking area at the end of Cuddy Valley/Mt. Pinos Road. Elevation at the start is 8300', with its being about 8850'. The view from the summit encompasses the southern Central Valley, the southernmost Sierra Nevada, much of the Santa Barbara County Mountains, the Caliente Range, and more.. Nice trek for even "non-hikers" to try. Spotted a group of mountain bikers heading down another path to a pick-up point farther down the mountain.

    Steve R.

    Mount pinos has great views of the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada mountains on a clear day

    Fun in the snow
    Jess E.

    I went to Mount Pinos today with my dogs and had a blast. We will definitely be going back! It was snowing (heavily at times) while we were there, which made it extra magical. The snow was about 15 to 24" deep in most areas we trekked through. We had a blast making snowmen, digging in the snow, eating snow, and barking up a storm. It was a beautiful white winter wonderland, which was an extra special treat because, as someone who lives in Santa Monica, we have no change in seasons. I took an embarrassing amount of photos and videos of the scenery and of my dogs being dummies. I definitely recommend this as a day trip from LA or surrounding areas for families or people with dogs. Don't forget to bring your sled! Tips: 1) The address on this page is wrong. Don't turn on Lockwood Valley. Continue onto Cuddy Valley Rd, which will turn into Mt Pinos Rd when it enters the national park. Follow the road past the second snow gate (which is marked McGill Campground). There usually isn't enough snow before the point. 2) Get there early. I arrived at 11:00 and barely squeezed into a spot. When I left at 1, the number of cars parked along the road had increased by 500%. 3) Wear proper shoes and pants! And bring gloves! In some spots, the snow was so deep that my leg almost up to my knee sunk it. I did fine with rainboots. 4) Bring a bag for garbage. There are no garbage cans at the campsites. You have to bring everything with you. 5) There was a bathroom at the campground I went to, but bring toilet paper to be safe. 6) You need an Adventure pass. There is no fee collected to get in. 7) The first campground after you pass McGill Campground (there will be a sign for it but forgot the name - look for the small parking area on the left side of the road that fits about 10 cars) has great snow and a gentle slope for sledding.

    Where were flat easier parts in the trail that were nice!

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    7 years ago

    Best local hike. From here you can go to sawmill and grouse mountain. There is a trail register at summit of my Pinos.

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    7 years ago

    100 bucks for mittens and sleds and they shut down the road. Save your money unless you want to break your child's heart.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Mount Pinos

    Is it still snowing right now?

    Usually snow there till the beginning of may

    Is it a fairly easy drive coming from Los Angeles? And what about the drive to the parking lot to get to the trail. Wondering if my Prius would make it lol

    We drove out there last year from Ventura though so not sure about commute - we were in a VW without snow chains in the middle of December.

    When does it begin to snow on average?

    I have no idea, as we were visiting family who live in CA. We live in NY.

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    Review Highlights - Mount Pinos

    Just be sure to buy your Adventure Pass on the way up at a liquor store.

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    Los Padres National Forest - Nordic Base 8.8k ft elevation

    Los Padres National Forest

    4.9(17 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    How have I never been here before…read more... Sunday with no plans on the book. Let's take a drive to Frazier Park and go hiking. Same with that, never been to this little town as well. It's literally off the 5 freeway a couple miles in and you at the town. It was about half hour or 45 minutes drive up the mountain from the freeway till where the mountain start. There's different sections that you could go to if you wanted to hike or camp. We didn't really know where and what trails there was. Just ended up at of the campsite parking lot and went from there. There's loads of trails to choose from. Theres sign at the base that'll tell you the levels of hike and the distance. Also, the path was pretty wide on the one we were at which was nice. Right when you get out of the car, you could already smell the difference in air quality. Mountain air, being in nature with all the beautiful trees and noise of the birds. This place was beautiful. The path was nice to walk, slightly uphill and not hard. We passed loads of people but it still felt very quiet as you're in the woods. There's still loads of wildflowers growing. Temperature wise, it was perfect as your at a higher elevation and there was also nice breeze. Just walking and seeing all the beautiful trees, some covered in moss. The chipmunks running past you along the paths, it's a completely different experience from the hustle and bustle of the city. The views were amazing. When you get to the lookout point where the tower is, there was two tins/cans along the rocks that you could leave a message. Notebook and pen was provided for signing. This particular trail wasn't hard even though it said it was but very manageable. About 2 miles each way. But the views along and at the top of the lookout was spectacular. It's amazing that an hour or so from the city, there's so many hidden gems. Nature is beautiful if you haven't noticed. And another place for hiking on our lists.

    Overlooked forest since Angeles Forest is nearby. We love Los Padres National Forest. The little…read moretown of Frazier Park is the last town before going up to Los Padres. We love the quietness and solitude you find here. The trees and winds make this beautiful sound. I honestly think this place is sacred. We have camped at McGill Campground and have hiked up to Mt. Pinos. Only about an hour drive from Los Angeles/Santa Clarita. The forest does get snow fall and I think we just had the first big dump of snowfall last night.

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    Los Padres National Forest
    Los Padres National Forest
    Los Padres National Forest

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    Enjoy The Mountain - Spider

    Enjoy The Mountain

    4.7(62 reviews)
    8.1 mi

    My husband surprised me for my 48th bday! So much fun. We had never used ATVs before but our guide…read moreKevin made us feel so comfortable so quickly! We were rollin'!!! Man it was great! I loved the steep inclines and then trusting you won't fall back lol. Kevin took amazing pics of us and we got them really fast. Ask for Kevin! Thanks for a wonderful adventure! We will be back!

    Booked an ATV adventure for my boyfriends birthday. We originally booked Santa Monica but due last…read moremon to construction in the area , we then got relocated to the Angeles Forest area . Then the brush fire happened and got relocated to Hungry Valley. Understandable . Both times that they relocated us , Kelly was very accommodating and communicative through text. She made sure that we keep the same day , same time slot no matter what or offer a full refund. When we got to the location in the day of , Silvia and girl (I forgot her name ) who checked us in were very helpful and nice and wanted to make sure we were prepared . During these COVID times , they took our temperature , made sure we sanitized our hands , and put a sanitary head and mouth covering on before putting the sanitized helmet on . We got there an hour early because we had to commute from an hour away and wanted to be on time . They let us ride early as soon as we got there and Sylvia was a fantastic guide . She took amazing pictures of us and made sure we were okay throughout the ride The trail was beautiful and the scenery was captivating . My boyfriend and I are already looking to book the lake arrowhead location next month . 10/10 would recommend We also received our pics the same day

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    Enjoy The Mountain - Riding the trails

    Riding the trails

    Enjoy The Mountain
    Enjoy The Mountain

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    Kern River Outfitters - Kern Glamping Tents

    Kern River Outfitters

    4.9(361 reviews)
    69.6 mi

    We had a BLAST rafting with Kern River Outfitters. We were a party of 12 with kids ranging in age…read morefrom 10-15 plus adults and the whole experience was perfect for all ages! The guides were exceptional - we were led by Jackson and our guides on the rafts were Scott and Anneke. They gave us all of the important safety information (in a fun, engaging way) and once we were on the rafts they gave us clear direction (forward 1! Back 1!), talked about the rapids and local points of interest while making the trip super fun for everyone. The first time down the rapids helped our group get comfortable with what to expect. And on the second trip down the fun really increased! They let the kids "ride the bull" and get silly (all while feeling super safe!). We're planning to come back for a 2- day trip once all of our kids are old enough. Highly recommend!!!

    If you're looking for a great time, this is the place! Get going while the river water is flowing!…read more This place has great guides and they put your safety first. I went for a full day of rafting and it was great. We rode the upper Kern. The cold water felt great on such a hot day. John was our guide. He was great. You'll have a great time with any of the guides! They're all really fun. It would have been great to be able to jump off your raft and swap to another raft just for fun. The lunch provided was not bad. Sandwiches, cookies, fruit, and lemonade. Definitely would come back to raft with them again!

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    Kern River Outfitters - Riverside Glamping

    Riverside Glamping

    Kern River Outfitters
    Kern River Outfitters

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    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho

    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho

    4.4(14 reviews)
    125.3 mi

    BEST WEDDING VENUE EVER!…read more My husband and I dreamed of a wedding where everyone could stay together onsite, immersed in nature, with no worries about driving after a night of fun, and Camp Osito Rancho made that dream a reality. Our families stayed in the health center, lodge, and electrified cabins, while our friends embraced the adventure of summer cabins and tents. The venue offers so many stunning spaces, from the spacious dining hall for meals to the stage/amphitheater with fire pits--perfect for s'mores and late-night stories. We exchanged vows at the top of a hill near the outdoor pavilion, with a gorgeous backdrop of pine trees and a view of Big Bear Lake in the distance. We were able to offer our guests camp activities like archery and a pool day, as well as had room to setup other activities like craft tables and lawn games. The biggest perk was the complete freedom to choose our own vendors, allowing us to create a truly personalized experience (huge shoutout to Scratch Kitchen for catering--our guests still rave about the food). We spent a year making signs, collecting décor, buying solar lights, and crafting to transform this Girl Scout camp into a full-blown wedding festival. If you're up for planning the details, this venue is the ultimate blank canvas. Last but not least, the Camp Osito Rancho team is absolutely amazing. A huge thanks to Angel for her help throughout the year, Ryan for his help throughout the weekend, and to Gerardo for the tour that sold us from the start. For a wedding that feels like an unforgettable getaway, this place is pure magic

    Amazing camp!! Came with sweet elite Girl Scouts 2020. My daughter canoed, rode horses, zip lined,…read morelearned archery. So many activities. Well worth the work. Beautiful campsite.

    Photos
    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho
    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho
    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho

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    Mount Pinos - hiking - Updated May 2026

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