Nacimiento Lake to Pozo Summit — Los Padres Coast Range High Road
Los Padres ridgeline with zero cell bars and zero crowds.
Most people know the Los Padres National Forest from the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road heading west toward Big Sur — this route goes the other direction. Departing the southeast shore of Nacimiento Lake on Interlake Road, the track climbs into the Santa Lucia Range through dense chamise and blue oak, crossing the Salinas River headwaters drainage before ascending the ridge above Rinconada Mine — a working talc operation that’s been chewing up this hillside since the 1940s. From the summit bench the views open all the way to the Carrizo Plain. The route drops into Pozo through the La Panza Range on rocky single-lane road with genuine exposure on the eastern descents.
This is a legitimate high-clearance route — not extreme, but the rutted red clay sections above the Salinas headwaters get genuinely slick after rain and the pinstriping on both sides is relentless. Minimum rig is a high-clearance 4WD with good recovery gear. Run it May through early November; winter rains turn the clay into a skid plate. Fuel at Paso Robles or Santa Margarita before heading in — Pozo has a historic saloon but no gas. Dispersed camping is available throughout the national forest. No permits. Cell service disappears within a few miles of the lake.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 58 mi / 93.3 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3680 ft |
| Best season | May-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Paso Robles, CA |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Los Padres National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through, but you'll want at least 8 inches of clearance. The route has embedded rocks, rutted sections, and some shelf road — a lift helps but isn't mandatory. Skid plates are a smart call on a stock rig.
What months is the trail actually passable?
May through November is your window. Winter rains turn the Los Padres dirt into axle-deep mud and can wash out sections entirely. Even a late April run can get you stuck — check with the Los Padres NF ranger district before you go if you're pushing the edges of the season.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to run this route?
No permit is required for vehicle travel on the route itself. If you're camping in the Los Padres National Forest on dispersed sites, you're operating under Leave No Trace rules — no fee, no reservation. Some developed campgrounds nearby charge a fee, but dispersed is free.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect there?
The technical crux sits in the La Panza backcountry section where the road narrows to a single-lane shelf with limited pullouts and some loose-surface descents. It's not extreme, but a moment of inattention on a blind corner with a steep drop-off will get your heart rate up. Take it slow and use your horn on blind turns.
How far is it between fuel stops, and is there water on trail?
Top off in Paso Robles before you leave — it's your last reliable fuel. The 58-mile route has zero services, and the nearest gas after Paso Robles toward the southern end is San Luis Obispo or Santa Margarita. There are seasonal water sources on trail but treat everything — carry a minimum of 2 gallons per person regardless.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.