Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop

Los Padres National Forest, CA

Info

Distance
10 mi
Elevation gain
3,900 ft
Route type
Loop
Duration
5 hr
Crux
Class 2
Quality
6/10
Ecoregion
Southern and Baja California Pine-Oak Mountains

Peaks bagged

1
Arlington Peak3,250 ft / Rise 70 ft
2
Cathedral Peak
LPC
3,333 ft / Rise 383 ft
3
La Cumbre Peak3,985 ft / Rise 1,010 ft
4
Mission Ridge2,600 ft

Report

Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Due to limited parking, I walked some extra mileage along Tunnel Road to Inspiration Point Trailhead.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Fellow hikers converging on the trail.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
From Tunnel Trail, the ridge route to Arlington Peak comes into view.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Stay left at this information sign to continue along Tunnel Trail.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Start of Inspiration Point Trail to the left.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Mission Creek crossing. The popular Seven Falls Trail follows the creek upstream to a series of waterfalls. The trail to Arlington Peak is to the left.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Gaining the ridge.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Known locally as the "Dragon's Back", the route snakes around these vertebre-like boudlers.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Looking back.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Some minor brush to contend with.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
La Cumbre Peak visible to the right.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Looking back at a flatter section along the ridge.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Sustained class 2 climbing on the latter half of the ridge.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Taking a short break to enjoy the views.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Nearing Arlington Peak.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Arlington Peak summit block.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Arlington Peak summit. View south. The Channel Islands are off on the horizon.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
View southeast. The entire ascent ridge is visible from here.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
View north toward Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Following a use-trail toward Cathedral Peak.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Looking back at Arlington Peak.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Getting close to Cathedral Peak. The routes climbs the gentler north side of the peak.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Class 2 on Cathedral Peak's north side.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Cathedral Peak summit. View south toward Arlington Peak.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
View northwest.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
View north toward La Cumbre Peak. The route traverses the ridge below, passing the large pinnacle on the left before descending the northern slopes.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
On the traverse, I stayed to the left of these features.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Approaching the saddle between Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
The route climbs the ridge ahead.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Looking back at Cathedral Peak.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Making my way up the steep south slope of La Cumbre Peak. The trail is hard to follow at times.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Another look back.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Near the top, the grade lessens.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
The trail joins with this road, which I followed the rest of the way to the summit.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
La Cumbre Peak summit. View south.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Continuing east, past this fire lookout.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
A trail descends La Cumbre Peak's east ridge.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Looking back at La Cumbre Peak.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Eventually, the trail joined with East Camino Cielo Road.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Following the road for about 0.8 miles. White Mountain is in the distance.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Approaching Angostura Pass, the northern terminus of the Tunnel Trail.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Back on the Tunnel Trail.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Convoluted yield sign.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
From the trail, view of the Dragon's Back route.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Some interesting rock formations to the south of White Mountain, an area referred to as the "Rock Garden".
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
View down Mission Creek toward Santa Barbara.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Mission Ridge ahead.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Turning left onto Mission Crags Trail.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Following the ridge for 200 vertical feet.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Mission Ridge summit. View west toward Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
View north toward White Mountain.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Back on Tunnel Trail to complete the loop.
Trip report photo for Cathedral Peak and La Cumbre Peak Loop
Great views from the multiple switchbacks along the way.

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