Peak Mountain

Peak Mountain, taken from McPherson, photo by Jim Hagar

Peak Mountain, taken from McPherson, Photo by Jim Hagar.

Peak Name

Peak Mountain

06A

Elevation

5843

feet

Status

active

Region

Santa Barbara County

Range

Sierra Madre

Nearby peaks

McPherson Peak

Location

34.9022019,-119.8584708

Description

Prosaically named Peak Mountain, usually hiked in conjunction with nearby McPherson Peak, is a short hike up a firebreak after a long drive (Route 1) or an easy but long road walk after hiking McPherson Peak by one of its more enjoyable routes.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

400′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

1 mile round trip on firebreak

Estimated time

1 hour round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, easy

Leader Rating Required

“O”, normal conditions

Driving route

Drive north on I-5 past the Grapevine, to the SR 166 off-ramp. Turn left (west).
Follow SR 166 about 46 miles to the town of New Cuyama. New Cuyama may also be reached by a shorter but slower route by driving north from Ventura through Ojai on SR 33, then west on SR 166.
From New Cuyama, go west 12.8 miles to the Cottonwood Canyon Road (11N01). Turn left, note your odometer, and go as follows:
At 4.9 miles, fork. Go left. The road narrows here.
At 6.5 miles, White Oak Ranger Station and Campground. Keep straight.
At 6.8 miles, the pavement ends at a gate with a sign “Bates Canyon Road”.
At 12.7 miles, junction with Sierra Madre Road. Turn left (east).
At 17.5 miles, a saddle with a wide parking area on left. Park here.

Hiking route

From the parking area (5440′), hike west up a firebreak less than 1/2 mile to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Dirt

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Route 2

Elevation Gain

1000′ total, 600′ out plus 400′ on return

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

6 1/2 miles round trip from McPherson Peak

Estimated time

3 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, easy, strenuous with McPherson Peak Route 2

Leader Rating Required

“O”, normal conditions

Driving route

See the McPherson Peak guide. This route is normally only used when hiking McPherson Peak from Aliso Campground.

Hiking route

From McPherson Peak, Peak Mountain is the third major hill along the ridge to the west, with a narrow firebreak going up its face.
Go northwest down the ridge of McPherson Peak to the Sierra Madre Road.
Hike 3 miles west on Sierra Madre Road to the saddle just east of Peak Mountain.
Hike west up a firebreak less than 1/2 mile to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route