Hike Log
Sawmill Mountain
Trailhead
Mt Pinos Nordic Base
Type of hike
Day hike
Trail conditions
Trail in good condition
Road
Road suitable for all vehicles
Bugs
No Bugs
Snow
Snowfields to cross - could be difficult
123 Challenge (dive to Mt Pinos Nordic Base)
123 miles (round trip = 250+/- 6 hours)
2-1/2 hrs. there – 3-1/2 hrs. back
3-2-1 Challenge – 10.5 miles 5 hours
3 (Pinos/Sawmill/Grouse) 2 (Kern/Ventura) 1 (02/03/26)
31 degrees to start, and snow was hard and crunchy, with icy patches in high traffic areas. The boots I wore have an aggressive tread pattern, so I didn’t need microspikes on the way to Condor Summit.
Microspikes and poles highly recommend beyond this point. I put on microspikes at the rocky outcrop, just beyond Condor Summit (picnic table) before dropping down the very step & icy slope toward the saddle.
The trail in this section is snow covered and difficult find, and there are many routes (tracks) previous hikers have taken.
No worries… keep going northwest/west and you will end up on the main trail.
Snow Cover – 02/03/26
Nordic Base to Mt Pinos 80%
Condor Summit to Sawmill Mountain 60%
Sawmill Mountain to Grouse Mountain 20%
On the return trip, the snow was less crunchy, and the accent back up to Condor Summit felt like I was climbing Everest.
With the temperature now well into the 50s, the sunny sections of the trail were almost slushy, and muddy in low spots.
It’s always a great day when you’re all alone in the Wilderness. I didn’t see any other hikers, only a few dog walkers near the parking lot.
During the winter months, It’s always a good idea to check the county website to make sure Cuddy Vally Road is open to traffic.
They will close the road after a snowstorm, and sometimes require chains to drive up to Mt Pinos Nordic Base.
Shout out to my Spirit Animal – OR-93 R.I.P.
TrailSnail
“slow & steady finishes the race”
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