So, since this peak was my suggestion to the Six Pack of Peaks, I felt that I should do this peak first this year! Plus, with all of the snow, there hasn’t been many Peaks that don’t have snow.

It happens to be National Trails Day also so what a great hike to do for our first peak of the year!

Not many people know about Mt. Pinos, but since I live an hour away, Frazier Park is a regular place for our locals to hike because it has snow in the winter and it’s always 20 degrees cooler in the summer than Santa Clarita, which makes a popular spot for hiking and camping. Most people camp up there to watch the stars with their telescopes.

Mt. Pinos is the highest point in Ventura County and it’s 2 miles from the parking lot of the Nordic Base (you need an Adventure pass to park). In Chumash history, this area is the center of their universe and where all of their gods lived. It’s a beautiful hike through pine forests up to the radio tower, where the summit of Mt. Pinos is. We found the sign down the hill and put it back by the peak marker next to the radio tower.

You can continue this hike from Mt. Pinos on the main trail to Sawmill Mountain, which is about 1.5 miles down the Vincent Tumamait Trail. We encountered some snow crossings, but they were short and could be crossed with boots. Afternoon storms were coming so we quickly came back after getting to Sawmill Mountain. You can continue and do Grouse Mt to complete the 321 challenge from Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce, but maybe another day!