Mount Mars
About
Mount Mars is a summit of 2,665 feet in the Silver Peak Wilderness, part of the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest in California. The nearest town is Fort Hunter Liggett, about 14 miles away. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Hearst Castle show highs around 75 to 78°F from July through September, with almost no wet days. That station sits well below the summit, so temperatures up high run cooler. The Mount Mars Southeast Ridge Usetrail starts just 0.1 mile from the summit. Salmon Creek and Spruce Creek are each about 0.9 mile away, and the Nacimiento River, a paddling route, lies roughly 8 miles off.
Summit Facts
Summit elevation
2,665 ft
Elevation from USGS 3D Elevation Program terrain data (about 10 m resolution).
Location
Mount Mars
California
Name and location: U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. View the GNIS record.
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Jan–Nov. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 60–78°F and lows of 45–60°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Hearst Castle, CA weather station, 13 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan60° high47° low
- Feb60° high45° low
- Mar62° high47° low
- Apr65° high47° low
- May69° high52° low
- Jun73° high55° low
- Jul75° high57° low
- Aug77° high58° low
- Sep78° high60° low
- Oct74° high56° low
- Nov66° high50° low
- Dec59° high46° low
The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this spot, so expect it to run cooler up here.
Where it is
- Silver Peak Wilderness · Wilderness
- Monterey Ranger District · Ranger district
- Los Padres National Forest · National forest
- Nearest town
- Fort Hunter Liggett, California · 14 mi
Source: Wilderness.net boundaries; USFS EDW boundaries; USGS GNIS populated places
Conditions
Active alerts for Monterey Ranger District as of Oct 9, 2026:
Monterey Ranger District Emergency Closure Order with Exceptions
critical · posted Oct 5, 2026
San Carpoforo Beach Prohibition of Overnight Camping and Campfires
fire-restriction · posted Aug 24, 2026
Source: USFS forest alerts
Nearby
- Mount Mars Southeast Ridge UsetrailHiking0.1 mi
- Salmon CreekHiking0.9 mi
- Spruce CreekHiking0.9 mi
- Dutra UsetrailHiking1.7 mi
- BuckeyeHiking1.7 mi
- Baldwin Ranch Shortcut UsetrailHiking1.9 mi
- Nacimiento RiverCanoeing7.9 mi
- Arroyo de la CruzCanoeing9.1 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
