Mount Pinos Local Information

Adventure Passes

During winter months the Forest Service contracts for portable toilets and trash collection. To pay for these amenities an Adventure Pass fee is charged per car. Cost is $5 for a single day permit or $30 for a full year permit. On the days that Ski Patrol staffs Nordic Base we will usually have day passes available for sale. The Forest Service does ticket vehicles that are not displaying the passes so be prepared by purchasing an Adventure Pass.

Equipment Rentals

There is no commercial activity on Mt. Pinos so you will have to bring up the gear that you will be using.

Mount Pinos Winter Sports in Lake of the Woods is the nearest location that rents skis, snowshoes and toboggans. They are located at 7025 Cuddy Valley Road, Frazier Park, CA 93225 and their phone number is (661) 245-3760. They are open 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM weekdays and from 7:30AM to 6:00 PM on weekends. For the 2012-13 season, prices vary between $6 and $20 depending on type of ski ($5 for snowshoes) and they offer a second day for half price. Mount Pinos Winter Sports also sells Adventure Passes so if you are coming up on a weekday when the ski patrol facility is not staffed you can get your permits there.

It is possible that an back country sporting goods store near where you live has snowshoe or even cross country ski rentals so you may wish to check that option too.

Getting To Mt. Pinos

The Chula Vista parting lot is about 21 miles from the Frazier Park exit off I-5 at the top of the Grapevine. Depending on weather and traffic conditions it is about 1.5 hours from Los Angeles.

Current Conditions

We will post information about snow conditions in our blog or by Twitter but here are some other links the can be useful. In addition, the latest official word will be from the Mt. Pinos District Ranger Station.

Hiking, Snowshoeing and Skiing

History, Culture, Geography and Wildlife

Star Gazing on Mt. Pinos

Local Community Organizations