Los Pinos in Lake Elsinore

Cappie’s Scoop: You’re not having a deja vu moment if you also read another post about Los Pinos from me. There are two hikes to a Los Pinos Peak! I’m serious because this one did not have a lookout tower so I went all the way to the top and got my picture at the peak! The first part of the trail is a fire road so lookout for trucks and dust when they drive by. Eventually you leave the fire road and turn onto a side trail. The peak is almost hidden and when you find it, it’s like a surprise! Don’t hesitate to add YOUR scoop in the comments below!

Tips: Part of this trail is a fire road so you may encounter vehicles on your hike.

Directions: Park at the junction of the Main Divide Truck Trail and Long Canyon Road – this is near the Blue Jay and Falcon Campground. Depending on where you’re coming from, you can take either I-5 N or I-15 N to get to CA-74/Ortega Highway. From I-5 N, take exit 82 CA-74/Ortega Highway toward San Juan Capistrano. Continue on highway for about 21 miles and turn left onto Forest Rte 6S05/Main Divide Truck Trail. This becomes Long Canyon Road. Continue on this road for 3.5 miles and the trailhead parking will be on the right. From I-15 N, take exit 69 for Baxter Road and turn left onto Baxter Road. Take a slight left onto Central Street, then turn right onto Grand Ave. In 7 miles, turn left onto CA-74/Ortega Highway West. In 5 miles, turn right onto El Cariso Road and then a slight left onto El Cariso Road/N Main Divide. Continue to follow this road as it becomes Forest Rte 3S04. In 2.6 miles, turn left onto Long Canyon Road and the trailhead parking will be on your left.