Trumbull Peak

Trumbull Peak rises on the southern edge of Stanislaus National Forest just outside El Portal, capping a 150-acre special interest area that pairs a Civilian Conservation Corps-era fire lookout with sweeping views down into the Merced River Canyon. It's a quieter alternative to the crowds in Yosemite Valley, and a short climb gets you to one of the better panoramas in the area.

The Lookout Tower

Built by the CCC in 1934-35, the 41-foot steel fire lookout still stands on top of the peak alongside the remains of the lookout tender's quarters. From the tower's perch you get a 360-degree view of the surrounding forest and the Merced River Canyon below.

Trails and Getting There

Two short hiking trails, each about a quarter mile, lead into the summit area: one ends at the top of a historic logging incline, the other climbs to the lookout and the old tender's house site. The peak is reached via unsurfaced Forest Service roads, typically passable spring through fall — the road is closed to public motorized use from December 15 through April 15 each winter. There's no overnight camping at the site, so treat it as a day visit.

Wildflowers and Wildlife

The surrounding Historic and Botanic Special Interest Area protects more than 100 species of wildflowers, shrubs, and trees, drawing wildflower watchers in spring and early summer. Some trail sections are narrow with steep drop-offs, and rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison oak all turn up in the area, so sturdy footwear and normal backcountry caution apply.