Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trip 46
VENTANA DOUBLE CONE VIA CARMEL RIVER TRAIL
LENGTH AND TYPE: 31-mile out-and-back, loop, or point-to-point
RATING: Challenging
TRAIL CONDITION: Potentially impassable due to high water crossing along the Carmel River Trail
during the wet season, with abundant poison oak. Passable yet difficult with deadfalls, washouts, and
brush encroachment along Ventana Double Cone Trail.
HIGHLIGHTS: Find solitude atop 4853-foot Ventana Double Cone as you soak up panoramic views of
the furrowed Santa Lucia Range and broad Pacific.
TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD:
This hike begins at the Los Padres Dam Trailhead.
TRIP SUMMARY:
This topic describes several routes to the remote summit of Ventana
Double Cone, in the heart of Ventana Wilderness. For general information on the
Ventana Trail, see the summary for
TRIP 38 Ventana Double Cone via Ventana Trail
.
From Los Padres Dam, this route ascends the cool Carmel River canyon along
year-round sections of the river to Hiding Canyon Camp, where it begins a steep
3113-foot climb over 6.3 miles to the summit. Watch for poison oak.
As at most peaks along this dramatic coast, the best times to hike are between
mid-November and April, taking advantage of cooler temperatures, fogless days, and
fewer pesky mosquitoes and flies. This route is also a good choice in summer heat and
fall drought, as from Hiding Canyon Camp you can reach the summit with a daypack
and plenty of water. Be prepared for rain and snow if you hike in winter, when snow
levels can drop to 2000 feet and the river may be impassable.
Trip Description
See
TRIP 44 Bluff & Carmel River Camps
for the first 4.9 miles of this route to
Carmel River Camp.
Just upstream from the main site at Carmel River Camp (1220') the trail crosses
the river and follows a bend west beneath a filtering canopy of maples, sycamores, and
alders. Few people venture beyond the camp, and poison oak encroaches on the little-
used trail beyond. Hungry ticks also lay in wait—wear long pants and check every few
minutes for hitchhikers.
After two more river crossings, you'll reach
Sulphur Springs Camp
(5.8 miles,
1350'). This and Buckskin Flat Camp are the smallest and least attractive of the camps
along the
Carmel River.
Instead, stay at Carmel River Camp or
Hiding Canyon
