Slide Mountain Trail is a 10.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Castaic, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Dogs on leash
Hiking
Mountain biking
Nature trips
Walking
Bird watching
Running
Partially paved
Views
Wild flowers
Wildlife
No shade
An Adventure Pass is required for this trail. The map here has been changed to reflect the closed gate. The trail now starts at the closed gate, so the mileage listed is accurate for the whole out-and-back hike. Clicking the Directions button should lead you to the correct location. A gentle climb on fire road and trail to the sometimes manned fire lookout at the top of Slide Mountain. The trail starts 1.9 miles after the locked gate on the old Golden State Highway and climbs in a gentle but steady grade up along a fire road for 1.5 miles to a turnout where the volunteer fire lookouts park. It continues 2.5 miles at about the same grade to the top of the mountain and the lookout gaining views of deep canyons to the south and west and Pyramid Lake to the north. While the trail is accessible year round, snow can be found in the winter months and scorching temperatures can be found in the summer months.
Parking stalls line both sides of the old highway at the road block at Fisherman's Flat. Picnic tables are provided in the flat and a pit toilet is provided about 0.1 mile along the road from the parking.
From I-5 north of Castaic and south of Gorman, exit at Templin Highway and turn west. Turn right at Golden State Highway and park at the end of the road.
Sat Jun 27 2020This trail was challenging for me, it’s not that it was HARD HARD but it’s a steady way uphill and it was also super hot! It kicked my butt but when I saw the stairs of the little lookout in the distance I almost cried it was such a relief! Came on a Saturday and I only saw 2 other hikers. It was pretty lonely for a weekend. I liked this trail and I would come again in the future. I recommend it if you want a workout! I think I would come on a cloudy day next time. The first 1.6 miles are just a paved road and then the trail starts at your left. We also spotted a snake sunbathing but I read somewhere that if you make noise it scares them away so that’s what we did and it worked. Happy hiking!
Thu May 14 2020Great trail! Beautiful views at the top. Little to no shade. For the first 1.7 miles you are hiking a paved road to get to trailhead. The couple ahead of us brought bikes and chained them up at trailhead. Such a great idea!
Wed May 06 2020Holy 20+ MPH sustained winds Batman! I started out early at the gate of Old Hwy 99, and was blasted by the wind until Kermet's Corner. However, once the wind stopped, the trail became overgrown with 4ft. tall brush. Closer to the summit, the trail cleared up, but the winds returned. This trail is an out and back type trail, with very little shade. Lots of beautiful wild flowers. Did not see/hear a mountain lion as previously mentioned, but did see lots of lizards, bees, and a rabbit. Luckily, the strong winds kept the heat at bay. Once at the summit, you're rewarded with spectacular views of Pyramid Lake, the surrounding mountain ranges, and a USFS Fire Lookout Tower. Highly recommended this hike.
Fri May 01 2020Beautiful hike! However about a half mile after turning off the paved road onto trail we heard a mountain lion growl about five feet from us in a Bush. We didn’t have proper equipment to fend off lion so we turned back. I’m sure once this trail has heavier traffic this won’t be as big of a problem. Otherwise truly lovely and remote!
Sun Apr 26 2020Gorgeous view on top. It is fun that you can climb on to the roof of the watch tower. Very exploded with no shade, will not do this trail on a hot summer day, but If you do, bring no less than 1 liter of water. Some session of the trial is over grown, but you can still find the trail easily. I finished in a little bit more than 4 hrs.
Sat Apr 25 2020Sat Apr 25 2020Fully exposed. Start early. Passed an angry snake hissing along side the trail. If you're going up soon, bring an extra writing pen to leave at the register because the back up is almost out of ink.
Thu Apr 16 2020Great trail but definitely wouldn’t want to do it in the summer. A bit more strenuous than expected! Was out last Saturday and only saw a few other groups.
Sun Mar 22 2020Breath taking views! I surprisingly so lots of people on the trail. I went early, so I missed the rush (I saw them on my way down). Things to note: -It has a steady incline, but not insane. -It’s exposed. -Some water available at top (for emergencies, if needed, as it can get hot during the summer). -THE VIEWS!!
Sun Feb 16 2020Logged 11.7 miles. Weather was a high of 74, exposure was tolerable I would not want to come on a day hotter than that. After the road, once you begin the hike, it’s a steady incline to the top. Love the views!
Sun Jan 19 2020What a difference. Hiked this trail 5 months ago and it was about 100 degrees. Today it is in the 60s and it was a totally different experience. This is still a challenging hike but much easier in the cooler weather. I carried 1.5 L of water and barely drank anything.
Wed Dec 18 2019its not hard nor easy, it's just a long hike.
Sun Jul 28 2019Begins with a 1.5 mile walk up an asphalt road past Frenchman's flats. At that point you take a left and cross a low gate. from that point you hike up a narrow road for about a mile. Then the trail turns into a single lane with tons of switchbacks. the grade is gradual but long enough to make this very challenging. Don't even think about trying this during mid day. We started at about 6:30 in July and that was too late. should have started at 5:00.
Thu Jun 27 2019Rode today up to the fire tower lookout on Slide Mountain, escaping the Ventura June gloom. Once you park at the end of the road on the old Golden State highway (adventure pass required because there are bathrooms and picnic tables), it is about 1.6 miles to the trail head. Notice that there is no sign, just a white and black steel gate with the name of the fire road. After a mile the single track trail beguins, it gets a bit narrow at some points but it's pretty much ridable if you have the stamina. I had to hike my bike on some sections, not that it's too steep it is just a continuous grind.掠. At the tower the views are amazing, the is a box filled with water bottles ❤️. I still had enough water on my camelback so I passed. The downhill ride was awesome, very smooth dirt road. It was 91 degrees by the time I got back to the car.
Sat Jun 01 2019Tue Mar 26 2019Beautiful hike. Take a yummy sandwich... the tower has a beautiful view...great for a picnic.
Sun Mar 24 2019Mon Mar 11 2019Overall good challenge.
Mon Oct 29 2018Road ends at the closed gate and theres a 1.8 mile walk to the trailhead. Very buggy, but the view at the summit is well worth the steepness. Theres a lovely fire lookout with a box of bottled waters waiting for you at the top. Lightly trafficked but the rangers are super nice.
Sun Sep 09 2018Parking requires a "Discovery pass". I did not have one but Thomas the Ranger was nice and let me through 'just this once'. To get to the trail head I had to walk a mile and a half down a hot unshaded asphalt road (3 mi round trip). Once you reach the trail head it's all uphill. I started in the middle of the day in hot September. It was 89° when I started and climbed to over 100 during my hike. I abandoned the uphill climb after the 1st mile and got into the creek to cool off on my way back to my car. There were some pretty views of the reservoir as I climbed. This would probably be more fun if you did it in the cooler months and or started much earlier in the day.
