Tecuya Mountain
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Tecuya is thought to be the Yokut Indian name for the Chumash, the original inhabitants of this area, and/or a Spanish transliteration of an Indian rancheria name. The area is rich with history of the missionaries, miners, and mountain men that arrived in the area to explore, evangelize, mine, and ranch. The peak is the high point of the Tecuya Transverse Ridge and just on the edge of the San Andreas Rift.
Route 1 follows a hiking/motorcycle trail that enters Cold Spring Canyon. From there you can continue on the motorcycle trail gradually up the canyon to join Route 2, or alternatively ascend directly up the steep northwest ridge. Route 2 approaches from the northwest after a drive in on rough road.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
Drive north on I-5 to the Frazier Park exit. Turn left (west).
Drive 4.9 miles from the intersection immediately west of I-5 interchange to Mt. Pinos Way (its western junction with Frazier Mountain Road). Turn sharp right.
Drive about 0.3 mile to West End Drive on the left (north) just past the fire station. Turn left. Low clearance vehicles should park at the end of the pavement (5050′).
High clearance vehicles may continue 0.8 mile on the dirt road, keeping left at forks. Park at a turn-around.
Hiking route
From the pavement end parking area (5050′), hike north on the dirt road keeping left at forks. The road soon becomes a trail. Where it crosses a saddle, continue on the trail as it drops down into Cold Springs Canyon. It follows the canyon up to where it meets a road along the top of the ridge just west of elevation 6925′.
Turn right on this road and follow it to where it passes just north of the summit. Turn right (south) and continue up to the summit. A wooden post marks the summit. The benchmark can sometimes be found in the center of a flat area. The register should be in some rocks just west of the summit.
Alternate route: Alternatively, at the saddle mentioned above (just north of elevation 6157′), turn right, leave the trail, and hike north up the ridge, cross-country, along an obvious use trail, to the summit. The ridge is initially moderate then steep. This route is about 5 miles round trip.
Driving route
Drive north on I-5 to the Frazier Park exit. Turn left (west).
Go west on Frazier Park Mountain Road for 7 miles to the signed junction with Lockwood Valley Road. This is the turnoff for Frazier Mountain, Lockwood Peak, Thorn Point, San Guillermo Mountain, and San Rafael Peak. Continue straight.
In about 0.6 mile, turn tightly right onto signed Scott Russell Road, 9N21. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 1.7 miles, a junction, turn right.
At 2.4 miles, a metal gate. Go straight.
At 2.7 miles, fork. Go right. There may be a post with “trail” on it, and an arrow to the right.
At 3.2 miles, a junction followed immediately by another junction. Stay straight through the first junction, go left at the second. There may be a post at the second junction with “trail” on it, and an arrow to the left.
At 3.7 miles, a fork. Go right. Ordinary vehicles may prefer to park here, as the road deteriorates from this point on.
At 3.9 miles, a motorcycle trail, FR 116, comes in from the right. This is the trail mentioned in Route 1 that meets a road just west of elevation 6925′. Continue straight on the road.
At 4.2 miles, the road goes steeply up. Park here. Note: if you have a capable 4WD and know how to use it, you can drive all the way to the peak.
Hiking route
From the parking area (approximately 6755′), continue east on the road for approximately 3/4 mile, going over an intermediate bump, through a saddle, and up the peak.
Just before the road starts steeply downwards, turn right at a junction and hike a short distance to the summit. The benchmark can sometimes be found in the center of a flat area. The register should be in some rocks just west of the summit.
Route Notes
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
Google Earth
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