I was able to drive my 2WD Hyundai Santa Fe all the way to the summit from the west on Clear Creek Road (R1) without too much problem. There are a few steep spots, but the road isn't too loose or rocky, so it's doable without lots of clearance or 4WD. Didn't see anyone else once I was inside the gated area.
davidsanger - May 1, 2015 3:17 pm Date Climbed: Apr 28, 2015
Second time
Came back a second time with a friend so he could get the county high point. Followed up with San Carlos, Idria Peak and Sampson Peak.
Clear day, no troubles.
trexkerry - Apr 2, 2015 1:35 am Date Climbed: Apr 1, 2015
Drive up
Thanks to the beta from David Sanger below we did this one without any trouble. With Jobe and Dick, lots of driving and very little hiking to pick up the San Benito COHP along with 3 bonus CC peaks. 4x4 vehicle was a big help, drove all the way to the summit on San Benito and to within a couple hundred vertical feet on the others. TR is HERE.
davidsanger - Nov 8, 2014 11:40 pm Date Climbed: Nov 7, 2014
Drove to summit
Got permits online, then called Hollister BLM office for combo for the locked gate.
No problem.
Came in via Clear Creek Road, off Coalinga Road, 16 miles off Hwy 25 south of Hollister. Had 4WD to the summit but road condition was good.
details at BLM site
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/hollister/recreation/clear_creek_recreation.html
Bob Burd - Mar 6, 2013 11:39 am Date Climbed: Feb 14, 2013
Drive up
Came to tag a bunch of other summits in the area, but made a second visit to the highest one. The Management Area is still closed but ungated, at least via the New Idria entrance. Trip Report.
Jonodo - Jan 17, 2012 12:38 am Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2012
Mexican Lakes Road
Hiked this one from the turnout from Mexican Lakes Road. About 2 miles RT. We hiked it at night due to the closure of the Clear Creek area. There was only one sign indicating road closures past New Idria. Roads were passable with high ground clearance. New Idria was interesting and a little creepy.
mrchad9 - May 9, 2010 6:22 am Date Climbed: Dec 1, 2006
Drive up
Drove right up to the summit block with 4WD, was in no mood to hike after a midnight excursion up Table Mountain/Kings County the night/morning before.
Abraxas - Dec 16, 2009 10:03 pm Date Climbed: Dec 9, 2009
Minimum Asbestos
The mountain is still closed due to asbestos, but when it's covered in snow, there isn't much to worry about. I had failed to summit Big Pine Mountain the prior day (1.5 ft of snow toward the top and the days are short), so had to "settle" for this one instead. Was surprised to find so much snow in Clear Creek--the treeless sections looked like ski slopes. The snow was only half a foot deep at the peak, so the hiking was not too bad.
Came in from just above New Idria since my Mitsubishi Eclipse is not so good on snow. I also didn't want to draw attention either way. Took a less-used route up (judging by the complete lack of tracks in the snow), but came down the standard way most people come up. This was helpful, because a couple trucks had driven to the peak in the prior two days (since it snowed), so could move faster hiking in their tracks. 14 miles RT.
Everything on the summit was covered in snow. Took the obligatory picture on the nice summit block, but could not find the corresponding USGS market, even with the coordinates. Cleared a few flat spots, but eventually gave up as I didn't want to spend any more time dallying around than was necessary.
Dennis Poulin - Dec 12, 2009 8:39 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 2004
Short Road Hike
I hiked the last mile up the road, but could have driven
Wallylongridge - Apr 21, 2007 1:43 am Date Climbed: Apr 1, 2001
My Dentist
I was doing this HP and my Dentist was on the MTN. I did'nt even know he was into HPing. if that was'nt a little strange.
mlarkin2002 - Oct 13, 2006 10:30 am Date Climbed: Nov 14, 2004
Bonus Peak included
Bonus peak after San Benito was San Carlos. Found an old vertical mine shaft that was _very_ deep.
Drove up from New Idria to below the top, hiked the last mile. New Idria is one of the creepiest places on the planet.
derbilly - Aug 17, 2006 3:28 pm Date Climbed: Nov 14, 2004
San Benito and San Carlos
After being stymied by a landowner in Parkfield we decided to make our way to San Benito. I was glad we had taken Mike's jeep since the road was muddy and steep in a few spots. San Carlos, an ok hike had no views due to the high brush at the top.
cjrandall - Jun 29, 2006 2:28 pm Date Climbed: Feb 16, 2002
Drive Up (Almost)
Came out with some friends from work, they were interested in the drive. My little 4x4 Suzuki Sidekick doesn't have a very large gas tank (8 gallons), so had to carry gas in a gas can and fill up on the drive up! This place is REMOTE!
Could have driven all the way to the summit, but chose to hike the last mile, making for an easy 2-mile roundtrip stroll and about 800 feet elevation gain. View from the summit was great all around.
Came back for a second trip in the summer of 2002 and hit the summit again, and picked up all the geocaches in CCMA while on that visit. Nice area to visit, would return.
Lots of motorcycles, though, and the noise was a bit annoying. A couple dudes on bikes came riding right up to the summit while I was there. How obnoxios!
McCannster - Apr 24, 2006 2:38 am Date Climbed: Apr 23, 2006
Good peak bag, no view
Pretty fun day of navigating the maze of dirt roads that is the Clear Creek Management Area. We got to the highpoint in the fog, with no view at all. We then drove further to Wright Mountain and biked our way towards the Joaquin Rocks, yet failed to get to them. I'll be back soon.
Bob Burd - Mar 9, 2006 4:38 am Date Climbed: May 24, 2004
From New Idria
Sounds like I did a route almost the same as Matt, below. I was bummed that I failed so miserably on Laveaga Peak in the morning, but this was a nice consolation. Trip Report
Dundeel - Apr 15, 2022 12:49 pm Date Climbed: Apr 9, 2022
San Benito Drive-upGot both the vehicle and personal permits on Recreation.gov. The gate lock combo was on the personal permit. I found Mattos track to be very helpful.
Skeptical Zack - Feb 22, 2018 4:50 pm
Run to the summit plus found the geocacheFirst time there enjoy the video if you are interested https://youtu.be/YPMAeNGSf_w
Fletch - May 27, 2017 3:13 am Date Climbed: May 26, 2017
MoonscapeCovill and I Martinizing... beautiful thing. F150 behaved like a champ too...
cab - Jul 5, 2016 1:30 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2016
Drive UpI was able to drive my 2WD Hyundai Santa Fe all the way to the summit from the west on Clear Creek Road (R1) without too much problem. There are a few steep spots, but the road isn't too loose or rocky, so it's doable without lots of clearance or 4WD. Didn't see anyone else once I was inside the gated area.
davidsanger - May 1, 2015 3:17 pm Date Climbed: Apr 28, 2015
Second timeCame back a second time with a friend so he could get the county high point. Followed up with San Carlos, Idria Peak and Sampson Peak.
Clear day, no troubles.
trexkerry - Apr 2, 2015 1:35 am Date Climbed: Apr 1, 2015
Drive upThanks to the beta from David Sanger below we did this one without any trouble. With Jobe and Dick, lots of driving and very little hiking to pick up the San Benito COHP along with 3 bonus CC peaks. 4x4 vehicle was a big help, drove all the way to the summit on San Benito and to within a couple hundred vertical feet on the others. TR is HERE.
davidsanger - Nov 8, 2014 11:40 pm Date Climbed: Nov 7, 2014
Drove to summitGot permits online, then called Hollister BLM office for combo for the locked gate.
No problem.
Came in via Clear Creek Road, off Coalinga Road, 16 miles off Hwy 25 south of Hollister. Had 4WD to the summit but road condition was good.
details at BLM site
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/hollister/recreation/clear_creek_recreation.html
and to buy permits
http://1.usa.gov/10F4zDX
ericnoel - Sep 29, 2013 9:43 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2013
San BenitoOne more Toyota powered ascent for me.
Bob Burd - Mar 6, 2013 11:39 am Date Climbed: Feb 14, 2013
Drive upCame to tag a bunch of other summits in the area, but made a second visit to the highest one. The Management Area is still closed but ungated, at least via the New Idria entrance. Trip Report.
Jonodo - Jan 17, 2012 12:38 am Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2012
Mexican Lakes RoadHiked this one from the turnout from Mexican Lakes Road. About 2 miles RT. We hiked it at night due to the closure of the Clear Creek area. There was only one sign indicating road closures past New Idria. Roads were passable with high ground clearance. New Idria was interesting and a little creepy.
mrchad9 - May 9, 2010 6:22 am Date Climbed: Dec 1, 2006
Drive upDrove right up to the summit block with 4WD, was in no mood to hike after a midnight excursion up Table Mountain/Kings County the night/morning before.
Abraxas - Dec 16, 2009 10:03 pm Date Climbed: Dec 9, 2009
Minimum AsbestosThe mountain is still closed due to asbestos, but when it's covered in snow, there isn't much to worry about. I had failed to summit Big Pine Mountain the prior day (1.5 ft of snow toward the top and the days are short), so had to "settle" for this one instead. Was surprised to find so much snow in Clear Creek--the treeless sections looked like ski slopes. The snow was only half a foot deep at the peak, so the hiking was not too bad.
Came in from just above New Idria since my Mitsubishi Eclipse is not so good on snow. I also didn't want to draw attention either way. Took a less-used route up (judging by the complete lack of tracks in the snow), but came down the standard way most people come up. This was helpful, because a couple trucks had driven to the peak in the prior two days (since it snowed), so could move faster hiking in their tracks. 14 miles RT.
Everything on the summit was covered in snow. Took the obligatory picture on the nice summit block, but could not find the corresponding USGS market, even with the coordinates. Cleared a few flat spots, but eventually gave up as I didn't want to spend any more time dallying around than was necessary.
Dennis Poulin - Dec 12, 2009 8:39 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 2004
Short Road HikeI hiked the last mile up the road, but could have driven
Wallylongridge - Apr 21, 2007 1:43 am Date Climbed: Apr 1, 2001
My DentistI was doing this HP and my Dentist was on the MTN. I did'nt even know he was into HPing. if that was'nt a little strange.
mlarkin2002 - Oct 13, 2006 10:30 am Date Climbed: Nov 14, 2004
Bonus Peak includedBonus peak after San Benito was San Carlos. Found an old vertical mine shaft that was _very_ deep.
surgent - Sep 13, 2006 3:16 pm
Interesting peakDrove up from New Idria to below the top, hiked the last mile. New Idria is one of the creepiest places on the planet.
derbilly - Aug 17, 2006 3:28 pm Date Climbed: Nov 14, 2004
San Benito and San CarlosAfter being stymied by a landowner in Parkfield we decided to make our way to San Benito. I was glad we had taken Mike's jeep since the road was muddy and steep in a few spots. San Carlos, an ok hike had no views due to the high brush at the top.
cjrandall - Jun 29, 2006 2:28 pm Date Climbed: Feb 16, 2002
Drive Up (Almost)Came out with some friends from work, they were interested in the drive. My little 4x4 Suzuki Sidekick doesn't have a very large gas tank (8 gallons), so had to carry gas in a gas can and fill up on the drive up! This place is REMOTE!
Could have driven all the way to the summit, but chose to hike the last mile, making for an easy 2-mile roundtrip stroll and about 800 feet elevation gain. View from the summit was great all around.
Came back for a second trip in the summer of 2002 and hit the summit again, and picked up all the geocaches in CCMA while on that visit. Nice area to visit, would return.
Lots of motorcycles, though, and the noise was a bit annoying. A couple dudes on bikes came riding right up to the summit while I was there. How obnoxios!
McCannster - Apr 24, 2006 2:38 am Date Climbed: Apr 23, 2006
Good peak bag, no viewPretty fun day of navigating the maze of dirt roads that is the Clear Creek Management Area. We got to the highpoint in the fog, with no view at all. We then drove further to Wright Mountain and biked our way towards the Joaquin Rocks, yet failed to get to them. I'll be back soon.
Bob Burd - Mar 9, 2006 4:38 am Date Climbed: May 24, 2004
From New IdriaSounds like I did a route almost the same as Matt, below. I was bummed that I failed so miserably on Laveaga Peak in the morning, but this was a nice consolation. Trip Report