Status for Late November 2025

Update on 11/29
As of Saturday, November 29th, the road is open and clear. Pretty good snow coverage begins at about the 8,000 foot elevation level. However the snow is very hard and icy. Microspikes or crampons would be a very good idea.

At present there are no portable toilets and no trash bins on the mountain. Be prepared and pack it out.

Again, Nordic Base will not be staffed until the first weekend of December.

Be safe, it is a long way from Mt Pinos to any emergency services. If you have an emergency, find a location with cellular service and call 911.

Update on 11/22
Kern County road status web page now shows the road to Mt Pinos as open. As always in winter conditions, carry chains.

The fire camera on Cerro Noroeste and Frazier Mountain, both about the same elevation as Nordic Base, it appears there is enough snow for winter recreation on Pinos at this time. However we do not have a first hand report to confirm this.

Nordic Base will not be staffed until the first weekend of December.

Be safe, it is a long way from Mt Pinos to any emergency services. If you have an emergency, find a location with cellular service and call 911.

Previous
The UCSD fire cameras on Frazier Mountain and Cerro Noroeste shows snow in those locations. Those cameras are at about the same elevation as the Nordic Base parking lot on Mt Pinos so we are very confident there is snow on Mt Pinos. That is the good news.

The bad news is that there was significant rain before the snow storms and the road was closed due to “mudslides and flooding”. We don’t know how serious the slides were nor how long it will take to clear them up. So we cannot say when the mountain will be accessible. The best bet would be to check the Kern County highway status page at https://www.kernpublicworks.com/services/transportation/road-maintenance and look for the entry that says "CUDDY VALLEY RD/MT. PINOS RD”

We are looking forward to having the road open and, with some luck, have a great snow year for winter recreation.