Hiking to Sawmill Mountain (SoCal Six Pack of Peaks)
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My first hike of 2025 was to Mount Pinos and Sawmill Mountain, a trail I had planned to tackle in 2024 as part of my SoCal Six Pack of Peaks Challenge. Despite several attempts, it didn’t happen until the third day of the new year—close enough, right? In this post, I’ll share my experience hiking this alternate peak: a short and sweet trail with a long drive from San Diego!
Planning Your Mount Pinos and Sawmill Mountain Hike
Trailhead Directions and Parking Tips
The Mount Pinos and Sawmill Mountain hike starts from the Chula Vista Trailhead, located in Frazier Park, CA, in Kern County. The trailhead is open year-round, though be mindful of snow in the winter and fire restrictions.
The road leading to the trailhead has snow gates, and there are signs indicating that tire chains may be required at several spots, so be prepared. It’s essential to check the weather and snow forecast before heading out.
A large parking lot is available at the trailhead. During the summer, the nearby Chula Vista Campground offers vault toilets, but in the winter months, portable toilets are provided. It’s important to check current fire restrictions before heading out. While the area sees medium to heavy traffic, it’s busiest in the summer.
I followed this AllTrails route but turned around after conquering Sawmill Mountain, skipping Grouse Mountain. Don’t worry about the elevation profile, it’s not as tough as it looks!
Permits and Regulations for Mount Pinos and Sawmill Mountain
There is no fee for parking or hiking Mount Pinos and Sawmill Mountain during the summer season. However, an Adventure Pass or an Interagency Pass is required in the winter season when snow and amenities are present.
Essential Gear for a Safe and Easy Hike
In addition to the famous ten essentials, explore the following gear recommendations to tackle your Mount Pinos and Sawmill Mountain hike.
The Ten Essentials
- Navigation
- Headlamp
- Sun protection clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses
- First aid
- Knife
- Fire matches
- Shelter (doesn’t have to be a tent, I carry an emergency bivy)
- Extra food
- Extra water
- Extra clothes
Gear Recommendation
Trail Overview: Mount Pinos and Sawmill Mountain (SoCal Six Pack Alternate Hike)
Reaching the Trailhead
Hiking Sawmill Mountain meant a three-hour drive to reach the trailhead. I love driving because I find it therapeutic and always use the time to focus on my healing, so I was pumped for this adventure. I left San Diego at 9:30 AM and arrived at the Chula Vista Trailhead at 12:50 PM.
Trail Conditions and What to Expect on the Hike
The trek begins on the Condor Summit Trail, which is a wide, service-road-like trail that’s very easy to follow. It is clearly marked with signs from the parking lot. I visited in early January and found the trail to be well-maintained. I imagine it would be even more scenic in the spring when wildflowers are in bloom.
Starting with Mount Pinos: A Scenic and Accessible Summit
The hike to Mount Pinos is moderate, and after just 1.7 miles, you reach the first summit: Mount Pinos! Although this isn’t part of the SoCal Six Pack of Peaks, it has a wooden sign perfect for photo opportunities. If you’ve done any of the other SoCal Six Pack of Peaks, this peak might feel like you’re cheating; it was too easy to get to. I spent a few minutes taking photos before continuing onto Sawmill Mountain.
Continuing to Sawmill Mountain: A Short but Rewarding Extension
Sawmill Mountain is the alternate peak to conquer if you’re participating in the SoCal Six Pack of Peaks challenge. As you leave Mount Pinos, you can take a quick detour by the Mount Pinos Condor Observation site, which offers stunning views of the Chumash Wilderness.
Continuing west, you’ll spot another mountain in the distance and quickly realize that it’s your next destination: Sawmill! The trail then turns to switchbacks, which can be rocky and steep at times, but the distance is relatively short. As you ascend the switchbacks, you’ll enter the Chumash Wilderness, where the area’s rugged beauty truly shines.
Once you reach the bottom, the trail ascends again through a forest carpeted with pine cones, filling the air with delightful scents. You’ll finally reach Sawmill Mountain after about 3.8 miles from the trailhead.
On the day I went, the summit was super cold and windy, and I found myself daydreaming about sitting on my heated car seat, haha! I tried to enjoy my lunch there before my photoshoot, but I didn’t stay up long because of the weather. Instead, I decided to head back down and finish eating somewhere a bit warmer and much more sheltered from the wind.
The “hardest” part of the hike is the ascent back up towards Mount Pinos through the switchbacks, but if you’ve tackled any other SoCal Six Pack of Peaks hikes, you won’t find that section too challenging. After 2.5 hours of moving time, I made it back to the trailhead!
I didn’t encounter anyone on the trail that day, so I had both summits and the whole trail to myself, which was amazing. It’s my favorite way to recharge and truly enjoy the wilderness!
Final Thoughts: Are Mount Pinos and Sawmill Mountain Worth the Effort?
Hiking Sawmill Mountain was my 9th adventure in the SoCal Six Pack of Peaks challenge, and it turned out to be a fun and rewarding experience. I went on a Friday during the holidays, so the traffic was likely lighter than it would have been on a regular day, which made the 7-hour drive from San Diego more manageable. Earlier in the year, I had also considered camping at the trailhead to make a weekend out of it. If you’re into camping and not keen on the long drive, that could be a great option for tackling Sawmill!
