Cuyama Peak (Lookout)
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Cuyama peak is topped by a lookout tower which has superb 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. Although the cabins atop and below have collapsed, this 1934 tower was used by the AWS civilian volunteers of WWII, then occupied as a fire lookout as late as 1970. Route 1 is a rough high clearance drive that some choose to do as a short 4 mile round trip hike from the parking spot for Lizard Head, with which it is typically hiked. Route 2 starts from Tinta Campground to the east and follows road and ridges to the peak.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
Drive north on I-5 past the Grapevine to the SR 166 off-ramp. Turn left (west).
Head west 36.5 miles, passing through Maricopa, to the junction with SR 33 south. This junction may be reached by a slower route via SR 33 north from Ojai. (There is a junction with SR 33 north in Maricopa that you will pass in Maricopa.) Turn left (south).
Go 2.7 miles to Foothill Road on the right. Turn right (west).
Go 2.1 miles, crossing the Cuyama River, to the Santa Barbara Canyon Road (9N11) on the left. Turn left, note your odometer, and go as follows:
At 3.1 miles, junction with a dirt road on the left just past a ranch with a sign “Santa Barbara Canyon Road”. Turn right on a paved road.
At 7.5 miles, fork with Santa Barbara Ranch visible ahead. Go right and cross a creek. The pavement ends.
At 9.5 miles, a cattle guard and gate.
At 10.0 miles, a hard to see dirt road on right. Keep straight. This is the turnoff for Fox Mountain #1.
At 10.8 miles, Dry Canyon Road on the left. Turn left.
At 16.6 miles an obscure gated road/trail on the right. Keep left This is the parking spot for Lizard Head.
Follow the road about 2 more miles up to the summit of Cuyama Peak.
Hiking route
Special conditions: Dry Canyon Road can be washed out in the early spring. The road is sometimes not passable beyond the parking spot for Lizard Head. Hike up the road from here. This is 1200′ gain and 4 1/2 miles round trip.
Driving route
Drive north on I-5 to the Frazier Park exit (about 45 miles from Sylmar).
Drive west on the Frazier Mtn. Park Road for 7 miles to Lake of the Woods.
Turn Left onto the Lockwood Valley Road.
Drive on this road for 27 miles until one meets SR-33.
Turn right and proceed 2.0 miles to a dirt road on the left marked by a sign indicating “Dick Smith Wilderness Access”.
Turn left & reset odometer.
After about 0.2 mile, road crosses the Cuyama River (which could be flooded, high-clearance vehicles could be required).
After 0.8 mile, turn Right at junction of 7N04 and 7N04A.
At 2.6 miles, Tinta Campground. Park here. Ample parking.
Hiking route
From the parking area (elevation 3650′), hike west & northwest up a Forest Service trail for 3.5 miles to the junction with the Brubaker Canyon Road at 4199′.
Leave the trail at this saddle and proceed northwest along the top of a prominent ridge.
After 2.5 miles, one will arrive at the Cuyama Peak Lookout Tower.
Route Notes
Additional Peak Information
Note: The HPS register is sometimes located in a drawer or cupboard inside the lookout tower. There is a Forest Service register at the foot of the stairs.
Historical note: Name of the peak is from Chumash (“clams”), and was first given to the Cuyama River to the north.
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
Google Earth
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