Pinyon Peak

Pinyon Peak, photo by Kathy Wing

Pinyon, photo by Janet Howell

Pinyon Peak, photo by Sunny Yi

Pinyon Peak, Photo by Kathy Wing.

Peak Name

Pinyon Peak

02E

Elevation

6805

feet

Status

active

Region

Southern Sierra South Of Hwy 178

Range

Scodie Mountains

Nearby peaks

Location

35.6821747,-118.0892418

Description

Pinyon Peak is situated at the south end of the Sequoia National Forest and is accessed from Walker Pass Road. Route 1 follows a moderately steep and somewhat brushy ridge cross country. Route 3 is a more popular and scenic route that begins on the faint Pinyon Jack Trail just above the Walker Pass Campground and weaves through woodland and meadow before crossing Jack Creek to gain the great ridge that leads to the summit. You may get your feet wet crossing the creek in the springtime, but it is small at other times. Route 2 has been withdrawn because of private property issues.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

3100′ total, 2800′ out plus 300′ on return

Navigation Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

5 miles round trip cross-country

Estimated time

4-5 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, moderate

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

Take SR 14 to Mojave.
Continue north on SR 14 to the intersection with SR 178 (Freeman Junction).
Go west on SR 178 to Walker Pass.
Continue on SR 178 for 3 miles to the Walker Pass Lodge ruins.
Continue 0.7 mile and park off the pavement on either side of the highway.

Hiking route

Hike southwest up the slope to the top of a low ridge just east of elevation 5101′.
Turn right and hike west up to elevation 5101′.
Turn south and hike up the steep slope to the top of another ridge at 6050′.
Turn right and hike west over bump 6822′ and down into the saddle on the other side.
From here hike southwest up the ridge to the summit. Keep left of the brush as you approach the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Route 3

Elevation Gain

2950′ total, 2500′ out plus 450′ on return

Navigation Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

7.6 miles round trip on trail and cross-country

Estimated time

6 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, moderate

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

Take SR 14 to Mojave.
Continue north on SR 14 to the intersection with SR 178 (Freeman Junction).
Reset your odometer and turn left (west) on SR 178.
At 8.2 miles, cross Walker Pass.
At 9.2 miles, pass Walker Pass Campground.
At 9.7 miles, a warning sign (on the right side of the road) about a school bus stop in 500 feet. Park here or on the west side of the road.

Hiking route

On the west side of the highway, find the beginning of the Pinyon Jack Trail (4820′). Follow this trail (vague in places) for about a mile. It crosses over a saddle (5020’+) then goes down to Jacks Creek.
Turn right (north) and briefly follow the stream. It narrows a bit and usually can be easily crossed.
Cross the stream and hike up the ridge you can see to the northwest. Follow the ridge about 2 miles to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Additional Peak Information

Camping: About a mile west of Walker Pass on the left is the entrance for Walker Pass Campground. There are restrooms and water during summer months. There are walk-in primitive sites. There are no fees or reservations at this time.

Note: Scodie Mountain, Pinyon Peak, Onyx Peak #2, and Skinner Peak lie in the Kiavah Wilderness which is bounded on the south by the road over Bird Spring Pass and on the north by SR 178 and Walker Pass.