Intro:
Chula Vista campground in Mt Pinos, Los Padres
Tucked away above the I-5 grapevine pass lies the Sierra-like Mt Pinos rec area in Los Padres National Forest.
What’s there to see?
Pine forest covers the Mt Pinos area which means there’s plenty of shade on the numerous hiking trails throughout the area. Off road vehicles are also allowed on nearby dirt roads for those who like to roar off into the woods – this is some of the best OHV terrain in the country. Mountain biking is also popular in this section of Los Padres, for anyone interested in kicking up the dirt without the use of a gasoline engine; just be aware that biking is not allowed on trails through the Chumash wilderness. Several first come first served campsites are smattered across the area. One of the best appears to be Chula Vista at the end of Frazier Mountain Park Road, which ends in a parking lot at the top of a mountain. The walk in campsite is then approximately 200 yards from a nearby parking lot. Fires are allowed as long as they stay within the fire ring. Signs for Nordic sports like cross country and snow shoeing indicate that this is also a great place to explore in the winter months; just be prepared for a lot of snow and bring tire chains.
Top Picks:
The parking lot at the end of Cuddy Valley Road is a popular destination for amateur astronomers and sky gazers. Mt Pinos’s distance from LA and it’s elevation of over 8,000 feet means the air is clear and the atmosphere is thinner than at sea level. As a result, when there’s a new moon, the Milky Way clearly stretches across the sky, along with millions of stars. If you ask nicely, some of the people with telescopes might even let you look through. Even if they don’t, it’s still an awesome place to grab a blanket and stare at the heavens.
Directions:
From Los Angeles, take I-5 north to Frazier Mountain Park Road (just before the I-5 makes it’s final descent into the Central Valley, the giant sign for the Flying J gas station is the best landmark). Head west onFrazier Mountain Park road (left from the freeway) and continue straight after it turns into Cuddy Valley Rd. The road enters Los Padres National Forest and small signs indicate hiking trails and ATV roads. Further up the mountain on the same road are signs for two campgrounds Mcgill and Mt Pinos – these are both run by a concessionaire and cost twelve dollars a night. The road dead ends in a parking lot from where it’s possible to reach the walk in campground, Chula Vista; this is the same parking lot where the star gazers congregate.
