Morena Butte in Cleveland National Forest, CA

Hike Morena Butte Cleveland National Forest, CA

Class 2 8.8 miles 2100 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back May 16, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Morena Butte GPX Track

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Park in the slightly larger parking lot because it's in Cleveland National Forest. If you park in the smaller lot next to it, you have to pay Lake Morena County Park a few bucks.

From the trailhead, follow the Pacific Crest Trail for a few miles, Lake Morena and Morena Butte visible for much of the hike, until you get to the southeast ridge of Morena Butte. A social trail leads up to the two high points of Morena Butte. There's a small section of Class 2 to gain the southern high point of Morena Butte. There are some really nice views, and the granite boulders and slickrock sections near the summit add some really unique exploring on this peak. Go back the way you came, or follow the dirt roads in Lake Morena County Park if you want a slightly shorter route.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Morena Butte-South Peak
3919 ft
79 rise
2
Morena Butte
3920 ft
680 rise

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Image 0 from gallery
Morena Butte on the right.
Morena Butte on the right.
Looking back toward Morena Butte and Lake Morena.
Looking back toward Morena Butte and Lake Morena.
Close-up of Morena Butte and Lake Morena.
Close-up of Morena Butte and Lake Morena.
Image 4 from gallery
Image 5 from gallery
Looking across a small valley, the trail visible in the center.
Looking across a small valley, the trail visible in the center.
Image 7 from gallery
Approaching the Morena Butte ridgeline, where a social trail shoots off to the right.
Approaching the Morena Butte ridgeline, where a social trail shoots off to the right.
Along the social trail, looking back the way I came.
Along the social trail, looking back the way I came.
Heading up Morena Butte.
Heading up Morena Butte.
Image 11 from gallery
Image 12 from gallery
Morena Butte ahead.
Morena Butte ahead.
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Image 15 from gallery
Granite slickrock just below the Morena Butte summit.
Granite slickrock just below the Morena Butte summit.
Image 17 from gallery
Image 18 from gallery
Morena Butte south summit, looking southeast.
Morena Butte south summit, looking southeast.
Morena Butte south summit looking northwest.
Morena Butte south summit looking northwest.
Heading over to Morena Butte north summit.
Heading over to Morena Butte north summit.
Image 22 from gallery
Morena Butte north summit looking toward the south summit.
Morena Butte north summit looking toward the south summit.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!