San Guillermo Mountain
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
A drive through the grasslands and rock formations of the Lockwood Valley lead us to pretty San Guillermo Campground as the starting point for the hike.
Route 1 is a short, steep, somewhat rocky cross country hike from the campground on the forested slopes of the mountain with moderately challenging route finding. San Guillermo is close to the trailhead for Lockwood Peak Route 1, with which it is usually hiked. The road is closed seasonally.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
Take I-5 north past Gorman to the Frazier Park turnoff.
Go west on Frazier Park Mountain Road for 7 miles to the junction with the Lockwood Valley Road in Lake of the Woods. Turn left.
Go 10.5 miles on the Lockwood Valley Road to the Mutau Road (7N03) on the left with a sign “Pine Springs CG”. Turn left. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 2.1 miles, Piano Box Road on the left. This is the turnoff for Lockwood Peak. Keep straight.
At 2.5 miles, another junction with Piano Box Road on the left. (This turn also leads to the Lockwood Peak trailhead). Keep straight.
At 2.6 miles, fork on the left. This is an alternate turnoff for Lockwood Peak. Keep straight.
At 2.7 miles, fork with 7N03A on the right. Turn right (west).
At 3.7 miles, Pine Springs Campground. Drive all the way in. As you come back out, park at one of the upper campsites. There is a limit of two cars per campsite.
Hiking route
From the parking area (5800′), hike southwest down into a large wash adjacent to the campground.
Turn right and hike generally northwest up the wash. At the first major fork in the wash, go left (may be ducked), and continue up this fork to where it widens out and a bank appears on the left. A cattle trail crosses the wash here. (It may be ducked.)
Go left (southwest) and climb up to the top of a ridge. A summit is now visible to the northwest. This is not the main summit but is the end of a ridge leading to the summit.
Turn right and follow this ridge to its high point (6450’+).
Then go north down about 100′ to a saddle and then up to the summit. The register is at this south summit (6602′), not at BM 6569′ on the north peak. Make a careful note of the landmarks along the route. It is easy to get started in the wrong direction and the campground is not easy to spot on the way out.
Driving route
Take I-5 north past Gorman to the Frazier Park turnoff.
Go west on Frazier Park Mountain Road for 7 miles to the junction with Lockwood Valley Road in Lake of the Woods. Turn left.
Go 11.2 miles on Lockwood Valley Road to Milepost 15.5. Park here in the wide turnoff on the left (south) side of the road a short distance below the crest of the hill.
Hiking route
From the parking area (5500’), hike southwest climbing a ridge bearing 220 degrees.
As you reach 6000’, the ridge briefly turns west, then directly south. There is considerable brush in places; the route needs clipping.
Above 6200’, the route commands excellent views of the Lockwood Badlands to the west. At a few points above 6400’ the route is steps away from a cliff.
The route tops out first at the north summit, elevation 6561’ (listed on Peakbagger as San Guillermo Mountain – Northeast Peak) and then 0.4 mile to the south to the HPS summit (6606’)
Route Notes
Additional Peak Information
Special conditions: The dirt roads are seasonal. The peak is in the Sespe Wilderness. No permit is required at this time.
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
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