photo-snowman      How to get to Mt. Pinos, photo-snowman

Chula Vista Campground

Highlights: Mount Pinos (8831') is the highest peak in the area. Mount Pinos was named by the Spanish who saw the pine-covered peak from the coast and named it for the pines that grow around it. The Chumash people, for whom Chumash Wilderness -- which curves around Mt. Pinos on the north, west, and south -- is named, called Mt. Pinos Iwihinmu; it was a sacred mountain to these original inhabitants.

Mount Pinos was named by the Spanish who saw the pine-covered peak from the coast and named it for the pines that grow around it. The Chumash people, for whom Chumash Wilderness -- which curves around Mt. Pinos on the north, west, and south -- is named, called Mt. Pinos Iwihinmu; it was a sacred mountain to these original inhabitants.

Area Driving Directions

Take I-5 North for 75 miles to the Frazier Park exit, two miles south of Lebec. If you're driving northbound, after passing Pyramid Reservoir on the left (west), you should see a distant, snow-covered flat ridge on the western horizon. That ridge is Mount Pinos. The Frazier Park exit is 4000 vertical feet below Mount Pinos, so don't expect snow there. For I-5 road conditions, tune to AM 1220 when you're near Santa Clarita (Six Flags Magic Mountain area). Drive west on Frazier Mountain Park Road 7.2 miles go (northwest) onto Cuddy Valley Road..

 

 

Continue past Frazier Park and Lake of the Woods continue on Cuddy Valley Road to the "Wye" (named locally after the intersection's shape) at 5.2 miles and turn left (southwest) onto Mount Pinos Highway. This is where all the highway department equipment and snow blower is parked.

 

 

Continue 8.8 miles up the mountain going past Pinos Campground and McGill Campground to the end of the highway at Chula Vista Campground parking lot (Mount Pinos Winter Sports Area). Parking is limited. Parking is available at a few other areas along the highway. If you park on the downhill (south) side, you must not obstruct traffic. No parking is allowed on the uphill (north) side of the highway.  Purchase an Adventure Pass from the Nordic Ski Patrol and put it in you window.

 

The Chula Vista Campground is where the Kern County and Ventura line crosses the road in the lower left corner of this map.

 

 In case of emergency contact the Mt. Pinos Ranger District and ask them to relay a message to the Nordic Ski Patrol.  The Nordic Ski Patrol will relay the message to Chula Vista Campground.

MT. PINOS RANGER DISTRICT ,

District Ranger: Tom Kuekes,

34580 Lockwood Valley Rd.,
Frazier Park, CA 93225
(661) 245-3731
TTY: (661) 245-0521
FAX: (661) 245-1526
Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm Every Day

 

The Kern County Sheriff can be reached at:

South Area Substation Division:
 Frazier Park: (661) 245-3440 
FAX: (661) 245-1359