Details About Mount Pinos

As one of my favorite deep sky observing sites, I thought I'd donate one page just to Mount Pinos...how to get there, what it looks like when you get there, aerial photos, etc.

This page may take a while to load, but it has a wealth of details about this treasure of Southern, CA.

The Route from I-5 at the Frazier Park Off ramp, north of Gorman.  Right Click and then select "View Image" for the full size picture.

Directions to Mount Pinos From The Los Angeles Area

   1. Take Interstate 5 north about 34 miles past the Castaic Junction (Magic Mountain).

   2. Exit at Frazier Park Road (First red dot on picture, far right).

   3. Turn left from the off-ramp and drive about 7 or 8 miles. You will go straight at the stop sign in the community of Frazier Park and a mile or two later, you'll pass a sign that says "Ranger Station/ Lockwood Valley" with an arrow pointing left (second red dot on picture). Don't turn here, keep going straight another 3-4 miles.

   4. You will eventually come to a "Y" intersection (Third red dot on picture ) with a sign with directions to Pine Mountain Club (right turn) and on toward the top of Mount Pinos (straight ahead), you want to keep going straight. The road to the summit has no markings so if you get past this point about and there is a double-yellow line in the road, you're on the wrong path and headed towards Pine Mountain Club, not Mount Pinos.

5. Follow this winding two lane road about 8 miles past two yellow snow gates. One gate is at about 1 mile up the road or so, the other about 5-6 miles up.

6. Near the top, there will be a road sign with the words "pavement ends" on it. The parking lot is just around the corner so slow down to 5 or 10 mph.

   7. When you see a whole bunch of telescopescars andRV's, you're there.

This is a shot of the Mount Pinos parking lot from 60,000 ft.  Annotations by astro-tom.

Some Suggestions For Visitors

1. Plan to arrive well before dark. I usually arrive latest around 1:00 pm or 2:00 pm to make sure I get a good spot in the middle and I like to eat and visit with others before dark.  After dusk, there's no time to talk.
2. Don't forget plenty of warm clothing, and warm liquids to drink throughout the evening.
3. Adventure Pass parking passes are required. They can be obtained at the ranger station in Lockwood Valley, REI, or any BIG 5 Sporting Goods store; $5 for a day pass, $30 for a year pass.
4. BACK your car into it's parking spot. Reverse lights are extremely bright when your eyes are fully dark adapted.  Also, turn the dome lights in your car to the OFF position. Cover any remaining interior lights with red tape. (AutoZone - Taillight repair tape)
5. Use a RED-FILTERED flashlight at night.  Violators are liable to be shot.
6. If you leave during nighttime, turn only your parking lights on and use the brakes as little as possible. If you have a car with daytime headlights, pull your emergency brake up ONE click to shut them off until you get a little down the road, it will not harm your brakes.
7. No green lasers after an hour and a half after dark. People are trying to do astro-photography, and these mess up their pictures.
8. There are porta-potties. (Sept, 2026), but come prepared with your own T.P. Most of the time (but not always) there are porta-potties on the edge of the parking lot. There are always primitive toilets located about 150 yards downhill from the observing area in the primitive tent-site walk-in camping area. Bring a flashlight and before you go, know where you're going.
9. If you get there early, you can hike easily up to the peak of Mount Pinos. It's about 1.4 miles total walking distance (one way) on a very easy to follow trail. If it's a good clear day, you can get a very nice view of the San Juaquin Valley and surrounding mountains. It's an easy trail, even tennis shoes will do fine. Bring extra water, wear decent shoes.

09/16/2026