Mt Pinos to Cerro Noroeste and return

THIS IS NOT AN EASY HIKE. KNOW YOUR LIMITS.
NO CELL COVERAGE AT THE TRAILHEAD
WE START HIKE AT 9:00 AM
A USFS ADVENTURE PASS IS REQUIRED FOR PARKING
NO GUESTS (HAVE THEM JOIN) AND DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASH (THIS IS A VERY LONG HIKE FOR A DOG)

Hike from Mount Pinos to Cerro Noroeste (aka Mount Abel), much along the Vincent Tumamait Trail, and return the same route. Total route is ~14 miles (roundtrip) and ~3000 ft elevation gain (from the Mount Pinos parking lot/trailhead to the top of Cerro Noroeste and return. Distance and gain will increase if we go to any side peaks, like Sawmill and Grouse. Note: the top of Cerro Noroeste is on the edge of Camp Alto and a tad further than the intersection of the Tumamait Trail and Cerro Noroeste paved road.

A beautiful route with panoramic views of Lockwood Valley, Cuyama Badlands, San Andreas fault rift and San Emigdio Mountains. From the Mount Pinos parking lot (aka Nordic & Chula Vista parking lot) we will ascend to the nearby top of Mountain Pinos and continue west, past Sawmill and Grouse Mountains to the top of Cerro Noroeste and return along the same route. Much of the route is above 7500 ft, so very Alpine and cooler. For you peak baggers there will be an opportunity to ascend Grouse and Sawmill Mountains.

We will be hiking just south of the North American and Pacific Plate boundary (San Andreas fault). I will discuss our 1998 interpretation of the western Transverse Ranges and San Andreas Fault System if you want to hear it, more info here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1I5HCYJBLuj5bQu32swyzmVHc1u52qniK

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PwoUJ0CiWip1LtzB08mIPNPfQuxs00uy/view

Bring: At least 3 liters water, there's no water on this trail, lunch, hiking stuff, good boots or trail runners. Usually lots of sun on this trail, a hat and sun block. At higher elevation the weather can change quickly, so bring something warm just in case. Check the weather forecast before going.

For those of you with interest in the local geologic mapping look at these:

Strip Map of the San Andreas Fault:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1I5HCYJBLuj5bQu32swyzmVHc1u52qniK

Geologic Map of the Sawmill Mountain Quadrangle, Kern and Ventura Counties, California
By Karl S. Kellogg and Daniel P. Miggins
U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-406
https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/ofr-02-406/ofr-02-406.pdf

DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY
The hike host is a volunteer and not responsible for the group. Safety should be a priority for everyone in the group. Please treat this meet-up as hiking with a group of friends. If you become fatigued and unable to continue the hike, it is expected you will advise the hike host of this and return to our starting point on your own. If you are able to proceed, it is expected that you will maintain line of sight with other members of the group at all times and help to promote the group’s safety and fitness goals.

Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you are taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Geologic Maps Foundation Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions.

If you choose to sign up for this or any Geologic Maps Foundation Meetup event**, you are releasing the Geologic Maps Foundation Meetup Group and its organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.

** Anyone 17 yrs. or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.