Thorn Point (Lookout)

Thorn Point Lookout Inside, photo by Jim Hagar

Thorn Point Lookout Outside, photo by Jim Hagar

Thorn Point Lookout, photo by Valerie Norton

Thorn Point Lookout Inside, Photo by Jim Hagar.

Peak Name

Thorn Point (Lookout)

07E

Elevation

6920

feet

Status

active

Region

Ventura County

Range

Ventura Ranges

Nearby peaks

Lockwood Peak, San Guillermo Mountain, San Rafael Peak

Location

34.6060984,-119.1278848

Description

Thorn Point is likely named for W. H. Thorn, a surveyor that helped map central Ventura County back in 1905. A trip to Thorn begins with a drive through Lockwood Valley with its interesting rock formations and grasslands into the scenic Sespe Wilderness. The summit has a still standing but abandoned tower that served as a fire lookout (and, more recently, a condor monitoring station), in which much of the original equipment can still be found. As expected for a fire lookout, the views of the Sespe Wilderness, Sespe Creek valley and Topatopa Mountains to the south are outstanding.

Route 1 begins after a drive on a high clearance road to a stream crossing at Piru Creek. When water is high you may wish to park here and hike an extra mile. The trail starts on road to Thorn Meadows where there is a campground, then up a stream to ridges and then to the peak. The trail is wooded and scenic.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

2200′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

10.4 miles round trip on trail (see note below regarding trailhead access)

Estimated time

4-5 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, moderate

Leader Rating Required

“O”, normal conditions

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 signed junction with the Lockwood Valley Road. 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 1.5 miles, pavement ends.
At 2.1 miles, Piano Box Road on the left. This is the turnoff for Lockwood Peak. Keep straight on 7N03 (7N03.2 on some maps).
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 2.7 miles, fork with 7N03A on the right. This is the turnoff for San Guillermo Mountain. Keep straight.
At 7.4 miles, Piru Creek crossing. The creek is sometimes too deep for vehicles to cross. There are a few parking spots before the creek.
At 7.5 miles, Junction with 7N03B. Park here. 7N03 continues to San Rafael Peak.

Hiking route

Passing the closure point, hike southwest on 7N03B 1.5 miles to Thorn Point Campground. The trail starts at the fence on the west side of the parking area (4980′) adjacent to the campsite with a lone Jeffery pine tree.
Follow the trail across two small ravines to reach a second fence where the trail goes up to the left just before a canyon.
Turn left and follow this trail up a shallow canyon for about a mile.
The trail then ascends a ridge via switchbacks and goes west along the ridge to the lookout tower on the summit. The register is on a rock 30 yards east of the tower.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

High-clearance

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Additional Peak Information

Special conditions: The dirt roads are seasonal. The gate at Mutau Road is often closed in winter. The last mile of dirt road is very rough and the stream crossings can be deep, so high clearance may be required. The peak is in the Sespe Wilderness. No permit is required at this time.