Source and Summit Hikes: Mount Pinos (8,831') and Sawmill Mountain (8,818') from Nordic Ski Base

Those of you who grew up watching the Waltons, or like I you have, as a younger generation, seen the fantastic series from our predecessor's era, will perhaps recognize that the haunts of around Mount Pinos are not in California at all, but rather are in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia crowned by "Walton's Mountain". While the sheer physiography and dryer conifer vegetation of the San Emigdio Mountains stands in stark contrast to the rolling valleys and dense deciduous forests of Virginia, it is nonetheless not hard to tell why this quiet range provided such inspiration for filmmakers. Its wide, open, green valleys fringed by pinyon and juniper on the floor level gives way in a perfect angle to the moderate peaks of the Los Padres National Forest covered nearly completely by stately stands of pine and fir, before at last clearing to to a clean and deep blue sky.

The high points of the entire Los Padres National Forest, Southern California's largest national forest covering nearly 2 million acres from the redwoods of Monterey to the beaches of Ventura, are 8,831' Mount Pinos, also the highpoint of Ventura County, and the barely shorter 8,818' Sawmill Mountain, squeaking out as the highpoint of Kern County. Both peaks can be hiked by traversing the wide ridge in a short day hike located about about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, and an hour south of Bakersfield off the I-5 in the Grapevine. Come see for yourself the wonder these mountains can instill into anyone willing to visit.

Stats:

Miles: 7

Elevation Gain: 1,500'

Directions: HERE

Location: Los Pinos National Forest, Chumash Wilderness

The Hike: From the Nordic Ski Base, take the trail westward upwards through a dense stand of Sugar and Ponderosa pines. About a mile later, you will enter into a scrub meadow, with expanding views towards Mount Pinos. Follow the wide trail up to the antennae-strewn summit of the zenith of Ventua County. Enjoy the views into the quilt-like Central Valley below, the Tehachipis to the east, the Pacific and coast ranges to the south, and the High Sierra even further north. Almost equally as high across from you is Sawmill Mountain, your next stop for the day. Continue on the path towards it another 0.25 miles to a California Condor Viewpoint, and then proceed down the single-track trail down into the canyon, passing into the Chumash Wilderness. After making the saddle, you will begin climbing steeply up again as you near Sawmill Mountain. There is a use trail marked by blocked sticks and stones, which leads the last hundred hard to the open summit crowned by an enormous carin, perhaps 10' tall. The views from the Kern County highpoint are nearly the same as Ventura's, but with a slightly differing angle. Return the way you came, down and up the saddle again to the parking lot.

Hiked 5-19-2016. Ventura and Kern County Highpoints. Adventure Pass Required. No Wilderness Permit Needed.