Mount Pinos

Mount Pinos is a summit in the Los Padres National Forest that rises above 8,800 feet, marking the boundary between Ventura and Kern counties with dense groves of Jeffrey pines and white firs covering its slopes. The mountain's location within the Transverse Range gives it a prominent position in Southern California's landscape.

The mountain formed more than 100 million years ago as part of the Transverse Range, a geological structure shaped by intense crustal forces. The San Andreas Fault runs along its northern side, marking an active geological boundary that continues to shape the region.

The Chumash people called this mountain Iwihinmu, and they regarded the summit as the spiritual center of their world. This sacred meaning remains part of local heritage and how the landscape is understood today.

The hike to the summit covers roughly 3 kilometers from the trailhead at Los Padres National Forest Road S349S and demands moderate physical fitness. The path is generally well-marked, and visitors should allow a few hours for the round trip depending on their pace.

The summit sits high enough and far enough from cities that the night sky remains exceptionally dark and clear, making it a favored spot for stargazing. People who watch the sky are drawn here specifically for the quality of observations without light interference.