Chorro Grande Trail
9.8 mi
Distance
4 hrs 36 min
Time
terrain
3,071 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult out and back trail to Reyes Peak Campground in Los Padres National Forest.
This trail goes by Raspberry Spring.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Solo day hiked Thurs 3/14/2024 – Highly recommend the Chorro Grande Trail before the heat! Hiked it in the afternoon in sunny but cooler weather after a morning trek up Frazier Mtn. The trail has a nice, classic slope climbing layout that takes you from a start in the chaparral off Hwy 33, through small oak groves via switchbacks and then to a northern finish in the pines at Pine Mountain Road (Forest Road 6N06). The elevation gain on the way up was constant but well distributed over the trail distance. Much thanks to caretakers of this trail who have trimmed back most of the bushy segments and removed the fallen trees. There are several small stream crossings, a few muddy areas and some slightly overgrown grassy segments, all of which can be easily crossed or bypassed. Extended the trek at the northern end by heading east on Pine Mtn Road and then using micro spikes to directly ascend the SW slope of Pine Mountain. Going down Chorro Grande in the late afternoon is gorgeous with the trail heading S-SW under a constant stream of filtered sunlight and several interesting boulder groups easier seen on the descent. Had to take the long way around to this trail from Frazier Mtn on Mil Potrero Hwy since Lockwood Valley was closed to through traffic (mudslide). Hwy 33 still has active reconstruction with several short delays but not too bad. Logged 12.8 miles/3528 vertical ft with Gaia.
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