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Hike Morena Butte in Cleveland National Forest, California - Stav is Lost

Hike Morena Butte Cleveland National Forest, CA

Class 2 8.8 miles 2100 gain 3-5 hrs Out and Back
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude
DirectionsRoute MapDownload GPX

May 16, 2018 — Park in the slightly larger parking lot because it's in Cleveland National Forest. If you park in the smaller lot next to it, you have to pay Lake Morena County Park a few bucks.

From the trailhead, follow the Pacific Crest Trail for a few miles, Lake Morena and Morena Butte visible for much of the hike, until you get to the southeast ridge of Morena Butte. A social trail leads up to the two high points of Morena Butte. There's a small section of Class 2 to gain the southern high point of Morena Butte. There are some really nice views, and the granite boulders and slickrock sections near the summit add some really unique exploring on this peak. Go back the way you came, or follow the dirt roads in Lake Morena County Park if you want a slightly shorter route.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Morena Butte-South Peak
3919 ft
79 rise
2
Morena Butte
3920+ ft
680 rise

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photo protector No caption.
photo protector Morena Butte on the right.
Morena Butte on the right.
photo protector Looking back toward Morena Butte and Lake Morena.
Looking back toward Morena Butte and Lake Morena.
photo protector Close-up of Morena Butte and Lake Morena.
Close-up of Morena Butte and Lake Morena.
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photo protector Looking across a small valley, the trail visible in the center.
Looking across a small valley, the trail visible in the center.
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photo protector Approaching the Morena Butte ridgeline, where a social trail shoots off to the right.
Approaching the Morena Butte ridgeline, where a social trail shoots off to the right.
photo protector Along the social trail, looking back the way I came.
Along the social trail, looking back the way I came.
photo protector Heading up Morena Butte.
Heading up Morena Butte.
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photo protector Morena Butte ahead.
Morena Butte ahead.
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photo protector Granite slickrock just below the Morena Butte summit.
Granite slickrock just below the Morena Butte summit.
photo protector No caption.
photo protector No caption.
photo protector Morena Butte south summit, looking southeast.
Morena Butte south summit, looking southeast.
photo protector Morena Butte south summit looking northwest.
Morena Butte south summit looking northwest.
photo protector Heading over to Morena Butte north summit.
Heading over to Morena Butte north summit.
photo protector No caption.
photo protector Morena Butte north summit looking toward the south summit.
Morena Butte north summit looking toward the south summit.

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