Kern County Highpoint Trip Report

Mount Piños (8,831 feet)

Date: October 16, 1999
Author: Walt O'Neil

Completed with Kern County. Proceed north on I-5 from Anaheim. Turn left at the Kern County line toward Frasier Park. Proceed west about 15 miles following the signs to Mount Piños and park at the trailhead. (The Nordic Ski Patrol was training the day we went.)

The trail heads westerly winding 2 miles to a radio tower on Mount Piños. The trail is a closed dirt road which has a little hook to the right as you approach the tower. We went north to the estimated highest point on the county line to get the lesser point on Mount Piños for Kern County then returned to the main trail to just before the wildlife viewing area and headed west on the marked trail.

This switchbacks down the mountain and goes along a low ridge at about 8320' before ascending Sawmill Mountain. At the highest point on the trail leave it and bushwhack a short distance to the ridge and follow it to the cairn at the HP. There is a faint trail heading to the cairn that follows the county line.

Mount Piños - 8831'
Sawmill Mountain - 8818'
Trailhead - 8300'