Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
lies northeast, its headwaters due east. Off to the south, the Big Sur River drainage
leads west to Highway 1, joined by small tributaries all along the way.
Notice how Ventana Double Cone is connected to its sister peaks by steep, nar-
row ridgelines. One conspicuous ridge extends 2 miles southeast from this summit
to 4727-foot
Ventana Cone,
while to the left and just above Ventana Cone, another
ridge continues 2.5 miles east-southeast to 4965-foot
South Ventana Cone.
Scratching the horizon to the right of Ventana Cone is 5862-foot
Junipero Serra
Peak,
the highest mountain in central California's Coast Ranges. Though nearly 20
miles distant, it towers higher than any neighboring summit or cone. To its right rises
5155-foot
Cone Peak,
21 miles away and only 3.2 miles from the Pacific. Its rise
from shore represents the steepest gradient in the continental United States.
Celebrate your accomplishment before heading back down the trail.
