Alamo Mountain

Alamo Mountain, taken from McDonald, photo by Kathy Wing

Alamo Mountain, taken from McDonald, Photo by Kathy Wing.

Peak Name

Alamo Mountain

07G

Elevation

7360

feet

Status

active

Region

Ventura County

Range

Ventura Ranges

Nearby peaks

McDonald Peak, Sewart Mountain, Snowy Peak, Black Mountain #2, Cobblestone Mountain, White Mountain #2

Location

34.66700,-118.95895

Description

Alamo Mountain, the Spanish name for the poplar trees found in the area, is the tallest peak in the Cobblestone Complex yet one of the easiest hikes.

Forested Route 1 was damaged in 2006 Day Fire and down trees can present a challenge. Black Oak and Jeffrey Pine forest shade more of Route 2 from Twin Pines Campground. The spur road is less passable than it used to be but most vehicles can park at the junction with Forest Road 7N01.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

450′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

2 miles round trip cross-country through forest

Estimated time

1 hour round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, easy

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

Go north on I-5 to the town of Gorman. Get off on the signed Gorman exit.
Turn left at the bottom of the off-ramp and go under the freeway.
Go 0.1 mile to Peace Valley Road. Turn right.
Go 1 mile to the entrance to Hungry Valley Recreation Area on your left (paved). Turn left. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 0.2 miles, entrance station. If manned, you can avoid payment of the fee by telling the State Park employee that you are passing through to Alamo Mountain.
At 5.2 miles, intersection. Turn right (west) toward “Piru Creek”, signed.
At 11.4 miles, Piru Creek crossing. There is a seasonal gate just before this stream crossing.
At 13.4 miles, the pavement ends.
At 17.8 miles, fork to the left. Keep right.
At 17.9 miles, junction with the Alamo Mountain Road. Go straight. Note your odometer again and go as follows:
At 3.3 miles, fork immediately beyond a small road cut through the ridge. Turn right.
At 4.5 miles, the road reaches its highest point at a shallow ridge south of the peak. Park here.

Hiking route

From the parking area at the shallow ridge (7020′), hike north along the crest of a gentle ridge, keeping the western drop off visible to your left to simplify navigation in this easy terrain.
After passing over a couple of small bumps the steeper summit area becomes visible. The register is found on a small rocky outcrop north of the more dramatic rock structures, and is the easternmost of the two highest summit bumps.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Dirt

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Route 2- From Twin Pines Campground

Elevation Gain

850′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

3 miles round trip on road and use trail

Estimated time

1.5 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, easy

Leader Rating Required

“O”, normal conditions

Driving route

Follow Driving Route 1 to the junction with Alamo Mountain Road at 17.9 miles. Turn right.
At 18.3 miles, junction. Turn sharp left.
At 18.7 miles, Twin Pines Campground. Park here.

Hiking route

From the parking area in the campground (6620′), hike back up the road 0.1 mile to where an old road goes up to the left. Follow this road up to where it crosses the top of the ridge.
Turn right on the ridge and follow it past a rock outcrop on the first bump to a rock outcrop on the second bump. The register is located on the top of this second rocky outcrop.

Route Notes

Printable Route