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| Reyes Peak Trailhead |
The last few weeks have found me in a peak bagging mood. Summer months are best spent up at higher elevations so this makes for the perfect opportunities to get out and hit those summits that have been on the short list. The Los padres National Forest holds a special place in my heart. It's my preferred playground however the summers here are brutal especially in the chaparral zone. Most summer hikes here should be spent either higher up or around plenty of water (If you can find it). So with that in mind I decided to hit a couple more Sierra Club HPS Peaks. (Reyes Peak & Haddock Mtn). I found because of the close proximity these two are best done together as a day Hike. Located atop of Pine mountain there are a few different ways you can get here. The shortest route from Santa Clarita to the
Reyes Peak Trailhead is to take the 5 Freeway North and Exit Frazier Mtn Rd. From here go left or west and continue onto Lockwood Valley Rd and then onto Highway 33 South for a short distance eventually making a left onto Pine Mountain Summit Rd(6N06).
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| Pine Mountain Campground |
On the way to the Trailhead you will pass a couple campgrounds starting with
Pine Mountain Campground. See Photos above. This Little campground sits at an elevation of 6650 feet and is surrounded by Jeffrey Pine, Sugar Pine and White Fur. Its small with 7 sites, but its cute. No water is available here so you must bring your own. Tent Camping only.
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| Reyes Peak Campground |
Next you will pass right through
Reyes Peak Campground. Another small but unique little campground. This one sits at 7000 feet elevation and has 6 sites. I really liked the sites positioned next to the huge rock formations and boulders. See one example below.
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| One of the sites I liked |
This Campground would make a great base camp for exploring the Sespe Wilderness Backcountry. Tent camping only, and no reservations needed all sites are first come first served. After Passing the campground continue straight on 6N06 you will pass the junction sign for Chorro Grande trail.
The paved road eventually ends up as a dirt road for a short distance. Keep an eye on those views to your right side of the surrounding mountains and the Chorro Grande drainage.
Reyes Peak Trailhead has a nice parking area with restrooms. The road dead ends right at the trail.
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| Reyes Peak Trailhead Park Here |
Just to the right of the display signs is where the trail begins. It's mostly uphill until reaching Reyes Peak but it's gorgeous.Thick pine forest and dense rock formations abound everywhere. The Views along this whole route might just be the best in the Southern Los Padres. It's hard to make good time on the trail here when your constantly stopping to look at everything. I took way to many pictures but I just couldn't help myself (THOSE VIEWS). The Air was crisp and clean. 70 degree weather and the smell of Christmas everywhere. I was thoroughly enjoying myself this morning. In less than .2 miles you will come to a triple junction. In the picture below where Lacy dog is standing continue to your left uphill.
Immediately after this junction the trail splits again. Left will take you Haddock Mountain and beyond and right will take you uphill to Reyes Peak. These trails eventually loop back together.
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| Junction left to Haddock and right to Reyes. |
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| Heading uphill to Reyes Peak |
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| Views toward Lockwood Valley Road |
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| Cool Rock Formation's |
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| Rock Vista |
Stay to the right and head uphill. In less than a mile you will reach Reyes Peak. It will come up quick as you will be so distracted by all the surrounding beauty. The Summit is located atop of this rock formation pictured below.
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| Climb to the summit here |
Reyes Peak sits at about 7500 feet. Its complete with USGS Survey marker and Summit Register. This is another Sierra Club HPS (Hundred Peaks Section Hike). I'm gonna go out on a limb and say these views At Reyes Peak and Haddock Mtn are the best in the Los Padres from what I've seen at least. Really it is breathtaking.
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| Looking south to Middle Sespe |
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| Looking east toward Haddock MTN |
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| Selfie from Reyes Peak |
Summit Register and USGS Marker at Reyes Peak
Leaving Reyes there is a spur trail that will lead you east toward Haddock Mtn and back onto the main trail (Reyes Peak 23w04). Following the spur trail is not too difficult if your paying attention and you have a good idea of your surroundings. It's mostly all downhill and only around a mile before crossing back into the main trail. From 23w04 it's another couple miles until reaching the Summit of Haddock Mtn. This stretch to Haddock was so nice and it screamed of Chumash territory. I constantly found myself deviating slightly off the main trail to poke around all the Rock formations I could find. The forest also provided a great canopy for shade which was another bonus.
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| Indian grinding holes |
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| More Rock Formations |
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| Pine Forest Canopy |
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| Looking North to Cuyama Badlands |
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| Haddock shear cliff drop offs |
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| Climbing to Haddock |
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| Almost to the Summit |
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| Potrero John Creek Drainage |
Haddock mountain Summit (7431') can be reached by heading about 50 feet off the main trail. Pay attention or you will pass right by it and find yourself heading downhill toward Haddock Camp and the Piedra Blanca Gene Marshall trail. Photo below shows you where to leave the trail and make the last small climb to the Summit.
There is no USGS Survey Marker here that I could find But there was another HPS Summit Register and someone left a few goodies in it. Climb the rock above the register for the best views.
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| Summit Register |
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| Well Well what do we have here |
Yes that is a bottle of green Buds some kind of OG Kush as the label described it. That was inside the register can. This is definitely the first time I've opened one and found a package like this. Needles to say I don't smoke anymore so I put it back where I found it. I'm sure this will make some hikers day when they stumble upon it next.
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| View From Haddock Summit Rock |
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| My Pup sporting her Ruffwear Pack |
After you have your fill of Haddock MTN just return the way you came in. The only difference this time is you won't use the spur trail from Reyes Peak as the Main trail will lead you right back to your car. Or don't turn around and you can proceed further into the great Sespe Wilderness. My total for this day was 8.2 miles. Another great day "Lost In The Los Padres"
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