Hike Reyes Peak via Chorro Grande Trail Los Padres National Forest, CA

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Reyes Peak is most commonly reached via the Reyes Peak Trail at the end of the graded Pine Mountain Road, and that trailhead can be accessed by driving this seasonal road. Coincidentally, we passed a pair of Forest Service employees inspecting the road, deciding they'd open it for the season today. They more-or-less let us know that if we'd just been lazy we could have waited for them to open the gate rather than hike all these miles. We were more interested in reaching this high-prominence summit via the Chorro Grande Trail regardless of the road's status, but we enjoyed their humor.

The Chorro Grande Trail begins to the south of Reyes Peak along CA-33 within the low-lying scrubby foothills. It ascends tamely at first, dipping into a seasonally flowing creek and undulating a bit. We noticed some white rock formations, similar vibes to the famous Piedra Blanca off of Rose Valley Road. The trail traveled through short spurts of meadow and then a forested oak grove where the primitive Oak Camp campsite is nestled next to a stream.

Past Oak Camp, the Chorro Grande Trail finally started making significant vertical progress. A ton of switchbacks took us up the slope and through chaparral, and eventually taller trees offered shade as we gained altitude. Along the way we passed another tiny campsite in a grassy small clearing, the Chorro Springs Campground. Water flowed behind this one as well. The rest of the trail was within the shade of the forest.

Eventually we reached Pine Mountain Road, marking the official end of the Chorro Grande Trail. We hiked the road east to its end at the official Reyes Peak Trailhead. This trail began as a short walk along an old road, where we were then confronted with multiple trail options. It took us a second to decide which one would lead to the high point, and we were surprised that the actual trail leading up was quite steep and not as well-defined as we thought it would be, though it was still easy to follow.

Reyes Peak's summit fortunately has a cluster of boulders that rise above the surrounding trees and allowed us to get expansive views. We couldn't see the Pacific Ocean due to the marine layer, but apparently you could under the right conditions. We considered continuing along the ridgeline to Haddock Mountain, but we decided to save that peak for another day and via another trail.

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Starting up the Chorro Grande Trail.

View back along the Chorro Grande Trail.

Pretty white rock formations along the way as we hike through the foothills.

Stream crossings.

Past the white rock formations, view back toward the trailhead.

Ascending through chaparral. The ridgeline we're headed to is seen above.

Approaching the Oak Grove Campsite.

Ascending through small meadows.

View back the at our progress.

The Chorro Grande Trail begins ascending more steeply.

Progressing up the switchbacks.

View back down toward the trailhead.

Ascending to the ridgeline above.

Views along the ascent switchbacks.

Switchbacks continue.

Leaving chaparral and entering forested terrain.

View along the forested slope.

Approaching the Chorro Springs Campground.

Chorro Springs Campground clearing.

Past Chorro Springs Campground, hiking through the forest.

Some views along the way.

We reached Pine Mountain Road, the end of the Chorro Grande Trail. Reyes Peak seen ahead.

Along the road, approaching the Reyes Peak Trailhead.

Reyes Peak Trailhead.

Steep ascent along the Reyes Peak Trail.

Flatter portion as we near the peak's base.

Pretty views as we approach Reyes Peak.

Summit just ahead.

Reyes Peak summit view.

Reyes Peak summit, view southeast.

View east toward Haddock Mountain.

Reyes Peak summit, view northwest.

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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!