Snow and Road Conditions - Mt Pinos Ranger District

Know Before You Go....

Page information updated on April 25, 2024

Contact the ranger station for information: (661) 245-3731 ext. 0, Tuesday - Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm for the most current conditions. Closed on Sundays and federal holidays.

The Cuddy Valley Rd/Mt. Pinos Rd is open to the top of Mt. Pinos - Nordic Base Parking Lot. Check the Kern County Roads website for updates.

• Check current snow conditions and road closures for the Greater Frazier Mountain area.

• Mount Pinos Nordic Base Information (cross country skiing trails and snowshoeing trails/snow conditions)

• Check the weather at the Chuchupate Ranger Station, elevation 5,280'. The Nordic Ski Base/Chula Vista Trailhead elevation is higher at 8,340'.

• Check road conditions by calling CalTrans at 1-800.427.7623 or on the web at Caltrans Road Conditions for the I-5 Freeway, Hwy 166, and Hwy 33.

• Kern County Road closures and conditions for the Cuddy Valley Road up to the Mt Pinos Recreation Area.

• Ventura County Road Closures for Hwy 33 and Lockwood Valley Rd.

• Always carry chains, even if your vehicle has 4WD, traveling in the mountains between November and April. Expect delays and be prepared. Carry plenty of water for all passengers, food, warm clothing and blankets, a shovel, and a tarp.

• Let someone know where you are going and when to expect your return. Be sure to inform them when you get back. Do not expect your cell phone to work in all areas!

• Sledding hills can be very icy and caution should be used. Helmets are suggested.

• Carry your trash home. It is often difficult for a large garbage truck to get into snowy areas. Take a trash bag with you and take it all home to be disposed of with your other household trash.

• Expect large numbers of people and slow traffic. Be patient with Forest Service, CHP, and Kern Roads personnel who are working to keep traffic flowing.

Road Conditions

Please drive carefully!

• I-5 through the Grapevine - Open. Check CalTrans.
• Frazier Mountain Park Road - Open.
• Cuddy Valley Rd/Mt. Pinos Rd is open to the top of Mt. Pinos/Nordic Base Parking Lot. Check Kern County Roads website.
• Lockwood Valley Road -  Closed from Chico Larsen Rd and Hwy 33 due to storm damage to road.
• Hudson Ranch Rd from Hwy 166 to Mil Potrero Hwy - Open
• Mil Potrero Hwy -  from "Y" to PMC -Open.
• Mt. Abel/Cerro Noroeste - Closed for the winter season. Hwy 33 is open - Check CalTrans.

Snow conditions and weather

Current Snow Level -  7,500'

General Weather and Snow Conditions Mostly sunny today and tomorrow. High today in the low 50s, mid temperatures in the upper 30s..

Mt. Pinos (~8200' to ~8800') - 6-12" inches of snow

Pine Mountain Club (~5000' to ~ 6500') -  0" inches of snow

Pinon Pines (~5000' to ~ 5500') - 0" inches of snow

Cuddy Valley (~5500' to ~6000')- 0" inches of snow

Gorman, Lebec (~3500' to ~4500') - 0" inches of snow

Frazier Park, Lake of the Woods (~4500' to ~5000') -  0" inches of snow

Lockwood Valley (~5000' to ~5500') - 0" inches of snow

As always, no matter what the forecast, be ready for quick changes in weather in the mountains. Be prepared. Always carry chains, water, food, and supplies in case you get stuck.

Adventure Pass Information

A Forest Adventure Pass or an Interagency Pass is required to park anywhere along Cuddy Valley Road, and in the Snowbunny Hill area on the eastside of Cuddy Valley approx. one mile west of Lake of the Woods and in the parking lots at the Chula Vista Parking Lot (Chula Vista Trailhead) and at the "Y" (junction of Cuddy Valley Road and Mil Potrero Highway.)  You can purchase the Adventure Pass at Big 5 Sporting Goods stores in Southern California before coming up the mountain. Some convenience stores in the area also sell the passes. The cost is $5.00 for a daily pass. 

The Forest Service tickets vehicles that are not displaying the passes so be prepared by purchasing an Adventure Pass.

• Available at the Nordic Ski Base at the Chula Vista parking lot at the end of Cuddy Valley Rd/top of Mt. Pinos (weekends only)
• Businesses in Frazier Park that sell the Adventure Pass
• How to pay a Notice of Required Fee

Snow Chains Information

Chains may be required at any time and should be in your vehicle, if not on your tires. 4WD and AWD vehicles are required to carry chains in the vehicle at all times. The CHP (California Highway Patrol) may set up chain control stations when conditions require.  Each vehicle will be stopped and traffic will be slowed or blocked.  

Parking Lot Information

When the parking lots become full or if the roads become impassable, the roads may be closed without notice.

 

• Snow Play Locations and Winter Road Safety Guidelines Flyer (PDF)

• Snow Play Map (JPG)

How to properly dispose of hot coals

Pack it in, then pack it out

To maintain the natural surroundings and beauty of the Forest, please do not leave trash. If you take your trash home (and a little bit more if you are able), the Forest will remain a wonderful place to visit and enjoy. Use the provided trash dumpsters at the "Y" and the parking lot at the top of the mountain. Even better, take everything home and dispose of it with your household trash. Clean up after yourselves, so our firefighters and the local community don't have to.