Viewing 18 posts - 1 through 18 (of 18 total) Forums are supported by our merchant partners . For over a decade the Ventana Wilderness Alliance has led the grassroots effort to protect the wilderness qualities of the Ventana Region, along the Big Sur Coast. US Forest Service Managed Lands - The US Forest Service continues to maintain a closure of the Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness Areas. Join the VWA Meetup Group here: Ventana Trails Forever Campaign. (July 2018 update: Some sections of this trail are currently impassable and the trailhead at Bottcher's Gap is inaccessible due to reconstruction of Palo Colorado Road. It eventually crosses each and every fork of Limekiln Creek as well as its namesake—Stone Ridge—with its stunning views of the Big Sur Coast. Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total) Forums are supported by our merchant partners . Call 831-385-5434 with questions. All Los Padres National Forest is Now Closed01.16.2021 by Jack B Nimble, Silver Peak - Trail or No Trail11.21.2020 by jbl, What is below Pine Falls?11.01.2020 by EricW, Re: Big Sur Trail01.20.2021 by VWA_Ranger, Re: Camp Cawatre Trail01.18.2021 by VWA_Ranger, Re: Santa Lucia Trail to Cawatre Jct.01.18.2021 by VWA_Ranger, Double Cone Register Natural History Journal. Website By: Click here for the Forest Closure Order dated 10/09/2020, All Los Padres National Forest is Now Closed. Apply information gathered at ventanawild.org at your own risk. 7:20. In conjunction with other trails such as the Cruikshank, Salmon Creek and Three Peaks,the Buckeye Trail makes possible some very enjoyable long weekend loop trips starting and ending at the Salmon Creek Station. Pack less. Trails and backcountry camps are closed. Please let us know if you have explored this trail recently. We just decided we'd attempt to go up to Cone Peak, but if it was too overgrown, we'd alter our plan and explore the area around where we camped. We drove into the Boyscout Camp below Botchers gap and started our hike from there. With a long history of use dating back to the 1880’s under the name “Upper Coast Trail,” the Buckeye Trail was the main travel route to the Los Burros Mining District from points south along the coast. Cone Peak rises dramatically from the Pacific Ocean and offers great views of the Lucian Range. You'll wander through a myriad of environments, from desert to riparian to evergreen stands as you ascend to the North Coast Knife Ridge for a final exciting scramble up the Hilary Step to your destination. Campfires are not allowed in the Ventana Wilderness indefinitely. There is water at a creek about a quarter mile past the second camp. From the trailhead at Bottchers Gap, the trail climbs up and over Skinner Ridge and Devils Peak, passing through some of the most impressive madrone and black oak forest to be found anywhere. Want to Volunteer? Why you should go: Steep hike to epic mountaintop views of … Gearing up for a challenge? These trips are highly customizable depending on the expectations and desires of the family(ies) and can range from basic guiding services to more programmatic experiences aimed at self reflection and family dynamics. Cone Peak (1571m) is the third highest mountain in the Ventana Wilderness after Junipero Serra Peak and Pinyon Peak. Legends relate that at one time the unique notch at the mountain’s top was roofed over by a rock bridge. Copyright © 1999-2021 Ventana Wilderness Alliance. AllTrails has 20 great hiking trails, views trails, wildlife trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. This is the most detailed guide to hiking and backpacking in Big Sur. Big Sur is one of the finer backpacking destinations in North America. We dropped out bags and summited the peak. Start from sea level and summit the highest coastal mountain in the contiguous 48 states. Pack less. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION - updated December 7, 2020. The Ventana Wilderness - Hiking and Backpacking Trails is a scenic 0.1 mile trail in the Non Wilderness Area Wilderness in . 9:47 . Backpacking Ventana Wilderness - Duration: 7:20. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Garrapata State Park -, Soberanes Canyon Trail, Andrew Molera State Park, Point Sur State Hisoric Park (tours only), and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (go online or call to find out if the park's campgrounds are open), Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, John Little State Natural Reserve, Limekiln State Park. Climb the highest peak in Big Sur — in fact, the tallest coastal … Winter travelers in the Ventana Wilderness are particularly fond of the Ventana Double Cone Trail, due to the fact that its entire length runs along high, warm, sunny ridgelines rather than the deeper, cooler canyon alternatives. Since we are so often asked for trip suggestions, we offer these five locales as a mere sampling of what the Ventana region has to offer. These trips are designed to encourage quality family time outdoors. A nice fall hike before the cold weather hits. For over a decade the Ventana Wilderness Alliance has led the grassroots effort to protect the wilderness qualities of the Ventana Region, along the Big Sur Coast. (additional US Forest Service information for the Monterey Ranger District): Please note that the information above is oftentimes more up-to-date than the US Forest Service site. This link includes a Forest Closure Map. The Ventana Wilderness now contains a total of 240,008 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. Trails and backcountry camps are closed. In 1969 the Ventana Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. Please note: The road leading up to this trailhead, when it changes from a paved road to a dirt road (recommend 4wheel drive at a minimum). Be more. Despite the closure of public lands, many Big Sur businesses (including private campgrounds) are open for business. Supported by preparatory workshops, YiW organizes, outfits and leads young people in central California on single-day nature walks and overnight wilderness backpacking trips. I did this hike to La Ventana “The Window” with Maria, an organizer from the Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group, which is a meetup group. Be more. #6 - Cone Peak Loop via Highway 1 [CLOSED], #7 - Cone Peak via Carrizo Creek Trail [CLOSED]. When combined with the Gamboa Trail, Stone Ridge Trail, and Vicente Trail, the Carrizo Trail allows backcountry travelers to make a complete traverse of the coast range from inland valley to the Pacific shore. There are few better places for late-season backpacking than Ventana Wilderness. Third time's the charm? Looking for a great trail in Ventana Wilderness, California? The parking area is a gravel pull-off right near the trailhead. With over 300 miles of trails and dozens of camps in the Big Sur backcountry, there is ample opportunity for recreation and solitude. 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