• Sports and Recreation

  • The Mountain Communities have a lot to offer for the

    sports and recreation enthusiasts!

     

     

    National Forests, and Adventure Pass

    Los Padres National Forest
    Supervisor's Office, Santa Barbara/Goleta; 805-968-6640
    Monterey Ranger District, King City; 831-385-5434
    Ojai Ranger District, Ojai; 805-646-4348
    Mount Pinos Ranger District, Frazier Park; 661-245-3731
    Santa Barbara Ranger District, Santa Barbara; 805-967-3481
    Santa Lucia Ranger District, Santa Maria; 805-925-9538

     

    The Forest Service Adventure Pass is a recreation use pass for visitors using the Southern California National Forests (Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino.) It is required to be displayed on vehicles parked on these Forests while visitors are participating in recreation activities (picnicking, skiing, hiking, snow-play, hunting, fishing etc.)

    The pass is $5 per day or $30 per year.

    You don’t need a Pass while parked at places where a site fee is already charged (such as ski resorts or fee campgrounds.) You also don’t need a Pass when you are traveling through the Forest but not stopping, when you are parked at your residence or at an organization camp in its permitted area, or are in an area covered by a Special Use Permit.

    A Pass is not required for people stopping for information at Ranger Stations, Visitor Centers and other Forest Service offices. Volunteers and educational institutions are exempt, but require an Administrative Pass issued by a local Forest Service office.

    Where to purchase an adventure pass locally:

    Don's Liquor Mart
    616 Monterey Trail, Frazier Park, CA 93255
    Daily & Annual Passes
    661-245-1712

    Forest Service - Mt. Pinos Ranger District
    34580 Lockwood Valley Rd., Frazier Park 93225
    Daily, Annual & Secondary Passes
    661-245-3731

    Midway Market
    600 E. Border St., Frazier Park 93225
    Daily & Annual Passes
    661-245-1790

     

    More information:
    Adventure Pass - information and the ability to purchase a pass online
    Los Padres National Forest


    Litter and debris detract from a recreational experience, particularly when contrasting against snow. Help others enjoy winter travel in the National Forest taking your litter with you or depositing in designated trash cans

     

     

    Camping, Boating and Fishing

    Camping
    There are numerous campgrounds located in the Frazier Mountain Communities. For a guide to campgrounds see the following webpage: Camping in Southern Kern County

    Hungry Valley SVRA is also an excellent spot for camping. One of California’s largest State Vehicular Recreation Areas, Hungry Valley SVRA is located in the Tejon Pass north of Los Angeles along the Interstate 5 corridor. Nine campgrounds offer 150 campsites, each with picnic table, wood stove and shade ramada. 

    Call the Hungry Valley SVRA for information at 661- 248-7007.
    More Information on Hungry Valley

    Fishing in the Mountain Communities has been a well-kept secret over the years. Pyramid Lake and Quail Lake offer some of the finest striped bass angling you’ll ever experience. Pyramid Lake has largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, rainbow trout and catfish. Quail Lake has rainbow trout, catfish and bluegill, as well. If you like stream trout fishing, then you’ll find both native and stocked trout in the streams that are located within this part of the Los Padres National Forest. Don’t forget, your California fishing license is required at all of these locations.

    Pyramid Lake Recreational Area is located in the Angeles National Forest, about 11 miles south of Gorman, along the I-5. The facility offers boating, fishing, swimming, day use picnic area and overnight campgrounds. Boat rental, wet and dry slip boat storage and a snack bar service the marina.

    For more information, please contact: Pyramid Lake Resort Marina at 661- 245-1245.

     

     

    Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding

    Wilderness Adventures
    Mt. Pinos, Frazier Mountain and Mt. Abel offer a spectacular variety of hiking trails from easy to strenuous as well as numerous campsites. Information can be obtained by contacting the Chuchupate Ranger Station at 661- 245-3731. If you’d like to take a hike with people knowledgeable about the area, join members of the Condor Group of the Sierra Club for one of their scheduled hikes.

    For more information, please call 661- 242-0432

    Hiking, Bicycling and Equestrian Trails
    Los Padres National Forest is host to many trails and roads that are suitable for hikers, bicyclists and equestrian enthusiasts. Over 250 miles of single-track and double-track trails, fire roads and OHV trails exist between Interstate 5 and Highway 33. Please be aware of wilderness areas. The McGill Trail, on Mt. Pinos, is a popular 4-mile single-track trail for hiking and mountain biking. From the summit of Mt. Pinos, you can connect 20 miles of trails, which end in Frazier Park. 

    For information on trails, contact the Chuchupate Ranger Station at 661- 245-3731.

    Trail Information

     

    Snow Sports

    Mt. Pinos has some of the best cross-country skiing in Southern California with more than 14 miles of trails. Sledding and general snow play are also available on Mt. Pinos and in other designated areas within the Los Padres National Forest.

    Nordic skiing or cross-country skiing is a fast growing winter sport in California. It has long been popular in the colder parts of Europe, and Californians are beginning to realize the freedom this winter sport offers. All you need is an area with some snow cover and flat ground and a little training in techniques. Forest roads are good to begin with. You also might want to take advantage of some of the defined trails marked with skill levels

    Tobogganing, sledding, inner tubing and other "snow play": Use caution when using inner tubes, sleds and toboggans. Make sure where you are going before you take a ride so you don’t end up in a tree trunk or off a bank onto a road. Use common sense. Monitor children for fatigue and hypothermia.

    Snowmobiling is allowed only on designated routes in the Mt. Pinos area. Check with the Forest Service to learn which areas are open.

    Snow Safety: Be sure to check the current weather conditions and road conditions before heading to the mountains. During severe weather it is possible that visitors will be unable to access this area. Please check with the Tejon CHP at 661-248-6655 or the Sheriff's office in Frazier Park at 661-245-3440. Forest Service Information is available from the Mt. Pinos Ranger Station. Information is also available from the National Ski Patrol at Chula Vista (elevation 8300 feet).

    Dress for all types of weather. By wearing several layers will allow you to easily adjust your clothing as the weather and your body heat changes. Take extra socks, gloves or mittens, and a warm cap. Take an emergency kit in addition to your regular gear. This kit should contain the following: matches in a waterproof container, candle, fire starter, 50ft of nylon rope, general purpose knife, high energy food, plastic tarp, space blanket, signal mirror, compass, map, first aid kit, wide tape for repairs, metal container for melting snow, folding-handle saw, and a survival manual.

    Most of the winter sport activities on the Mt. Pinos District are between McGill Campground (elevation 7500 feet) and the summit of Mt. Pinos (elevation 8831 feet). The 2,000 acre area between McGill and the Chula Vista Parking Lot contains most of the marked Nordic ski trails. Although there are no particular trails from Chula Vista parking lot to the summit, this area is open to winter sports. Some areas have restrictions. These include motorized vehicle closures, avalanche area closures, and hazardous roads. Also note that private property exists throughout the Forest. Please respect the property and privacy of others during your visit

    For more information or maps, please contact the Chuchupate Ranger Station at 661- 245-3731. Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

    U.S. FOREST SERVICE
    LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
    MT. PINOS RANGER DISTRICT
    34580 LOCKWOOD VALLEY RD.
    FRAZIER PARK, CA 93225
     

    Check local snow conditions

     

    All Terrain Vehicles

    Hungry Valley SVRA

    One of California’s largest State Vehicular Recreation Areas, Hungry Valley SVRA is located in the Tejon Pass north of Los Angeles along the Interstate 5 corridor and offers just about any off-road experience you could want. Hungry Valley offers 19,000 acres and over 130 miles of scenic trails for motorcycle, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), dune buggys, and 4x4 recreation for the beginner and experience off-roaders. Nine campgrounds offer 150 campsites, each with picnic table, wood stove and shade ramada. 

    Call the Hungry Valley SVRA for information at 661- 248-7007.
    More Information on Hungry Valley

     

    Wildlife and Wildflowers

    Wildflower Viewing
    Nature’s greatest celebration of spring – fields of wildflowers in a spectacular display of color – bloom each spring throughout the Mountain Communities. For the best viewing, plan a visit to Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area located in Gorman. Public roads throughout the Tejon Pass area also offer spectacular viewing opportunities. Remember, if you stop, be sure to park your car completely off the paved roadway. Avoid blocking traffic flow and be sure to obey “No Parking” signs. For information, contact the Hungry Valley SVRA at 661- 248-7007. More information on local wildflowers

    Birding in the Mountains
    Some of the best birding in the region is found on Mt. Pinos. Keep an eye out for:

    • California Condor
    • Turkey Vultures
    • White-tail Kite
    • Sharp-shinned Hawk
    • Cooper’s Hawk
    • Red-tailed Hawk
    • Red-shouldered Hawk
    • Swainson’s Hawk
    • Golden Hawk
    • March Hawk
    • Prairie Falcon
    • American Kestrel
    • California Quail
    • Gambel’s Quail

    For more information, see the Ventura Audubon Society webpage.

    Wildlife Encounters

    Viewing wildlife is one of the exciting opportunities awaiting you in our beautiful wilderness areas. Some of the wildlife you may encounter require some caution, such as rattlesnakes, black bears, mountain lions and some biting insects. If you encounter larger animals, retreat slowly and give them a chance to escape. Watching where you step or place your hands should avoid a close encounter with a snake or insect. Remember, giving wildlife a little space will make your sightings a better experience for all.

    Wind Wolves Preserve
    Rolling grasslands rise from the San Joaquin Valley floor and transition into classic California blue oak and valley oak savanna with extensive riparian wetlands at this 32-square-mile preserve owned by the Wildlands Conservancy. The Preserve offers a free environmental education program and will soon be open to the public on weekends for hiking, picnicking and camping. For information, call 661- 858-1115, or see their webpage.

     

     

    Stargazing

    The Chula Vista parking area on Mt. Pinos, at 8,100 feet offers the darkest, clearest sky in this part of the state. Hundreds of astronomers take advantage of this site, mostly between May and October on the weekend closest to the New Moon (no moon).

    See the "Astro-Tom" website for more information and links to local astronomy clubs.