Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER
fourteen
Bottchers Gap
P
ERCHED AMID THE HIGHEST PEAKS
of the northern Ventana Wilderness, Bottchers
Gap is a 2050-foot ridge saddle created by the Palo Colorado Fault. Following the up-
lift of the Santa Lucia Range, this northwest-trending fault carved the bed of the Little
Sur River. The main fork of the Little Sur flows west for most of its course, until it
meets the fault, which forces it into a sharp northwest turn to join the South Fork Little
Sur River.
The gap welcomes almost year-round hiking and camping, except during severe
winter storms and prolonged summer droughts. It features two trails that lead through
dramatically different environments. The eastern Skinner Ridge Trail climbs one of the
region's highest viewpoints, while the Little Sur Trail descends deep into the riparian
forests and mystical redwoods along the Little Sur River.
