China Camp - Hiking and Backpacking Big Sur - page 274

Trip 51
VENTANA DOUBLE CONE VIA PINE VALLEY
LENGTH AND TYPE: 31.8-mile out-and-back
RATING: Challenging, faint tread and overgrown along Puerto Suello Trail
TRAIL CONDITION: Passable to difficult, poison oak
HIGHLIGHTS: Stop at secluded waterfall oases on your way to 4853-foot Ventana Double Cone, which
boasts panoramic views of the Santa Lucia Range.
TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD: Park at the large turnout on Tassajara Road across from
China Camp. The trailhead is on the camp side of the road, 100 feet south of the park-
ing lot and 150 feet south of the camp entrance. The trail begins on a saddle above
China Camp. It is marked, though encroaching brush often obscures the sign. There's
no water at the trailhead.
TRIP SUMMARY: This topic describes several routes to the remote 4853-foot 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 .
This route from 4270-foot China Camp leads 15.9 miles to the summit (4853'). Al-
though the trailhead lies more than 2000 feet higher than the Bottchers Gap Trailhead
and nearly 3400 feet above Los Padres Dam, it descends 2530 feet to Hiding Canyon
Camp, then climbs 3113 feet in 6.3 miles to Ventana Double Cone. Highlights include
the scenic waterfalls at Pine Falls, Round Rock, and Ventana Mesa Creek (see TRIPS
49 and 52 ). These short detours are well worth the extra mile, especially in summer, as
the bracing water will revive you after a sweaty toil to the summit.
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. Also watch for poison oak.
If you can arrange a shuttle vehicle, consider combining trips for an excellent
point-to-point backcountry excursion. From China Camp, you'll summit Ventana
Double Cone, then descend the Carmel River Trail to Los Padres Dam (see TRIP 46
Ventana Double Cone via Carmel River Trail ) for a 31.4-mile grand tour of the wilder-
ness.