Meetup Time : 8:30 A.M.
DISTANCE: 7 miles – out and back style.
GAIN: 1700′
RATED: Not for beginners. This one is Moderate / Moderate +++ mainly for thin air (low oxygen) impact and long steeper stretches.
HIKE DURATION: About 4 1/2 hours (including a 20-minute snack break)
DESCRIPTION:
This 7-mile hike from the 8100 ft. trail head takes you to 2 summits (first Grouse 8573ft and then Sawmill Mountain 8818 ft). The trail is mostly in the forest but a lot of up hill. We will have a 20-minute Snack and recovery break at Grouse, then on to Sawmill for the Peek photo , then back to the trail head ( Down and up both ways). Moderate hikers should be easily able to complete all two summits.
Bear in mind, this entire “out and back” trail is very well marked/ easy to follow, so you can safely turn around at ANY stage, depending on your ability/ stamina. Also, we will have signposted the route with our popular orange chalk arrows to help you 🙂
BRING:
Strong shoes, dress in layers (expecting 75 F at start). Poles are useful, if you have them; snack lunch; a hat; !!sunscreen!!, bug spray / bug net (in case). 3 liters of liquids (2L water/ 1 liter electrolytes, i.e. Gatorade), and your camera.
ADVENTURE PASS:
Not required. See bathroom note below.
MEET : (Google Coordinates 34.82860, -119.20190)
Your leader at the West Tumamait Trailhead 8:30 AM , located along Cerro Noroeste Road near the summit of Cerro Noroeste. The group will head out at 8:40 Sharp. Trailhead parking is along the shoulder of the road, allow 1 ½ hours to get to trailhead from Santa Clarita.
DIRECTIONS: From Santa Clarita Valley: Take I-5 North ~ 40 miles to the Frazier Park off ramp. Exit, turn left under highway. Go West on the Frazier Park Road for about 12 miles passing Lockhart Valley Road (on the left) until you see signs for Mt. Pinos (Do not go to Mt Pinos). Slight right onto Forest Rte 9N05 (this will route you through Pine Mountain Club). Continue onto Forest Hwy 95/Mil Potrero Hwy for about 5 ½ miles. Turn left onto Cerro Noroeste Rd/Forest Rte 9N25 and follow the road up 6.9 miles till you see the West Tumamait Trailhead on the right. The parking is limited by the trail head, however if we use Angle parking we should be able to maximize the limited space.
NOTE: There are no operational Porta Potty toilets at trailhead. We recommend a quick stop as you exit the 5 Fwy at the Truck stop / gas station on the left, before heading toward Frazier Park.
