Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the Kirk Complex Fires, aggressive brush has overrun the eastern section of the Pine
Ridge Trail, rendering it impassable to many hikers' standards. Without mainten-
ance, this section may be completely overgrown within the next couple of years.
From the saddle, the trail gently ascends 200 feet, then quickly descends to Pine
Ridge (7.3 miles, 4550'). Listen for woodpeckers at work on the enormous charred
pine snags that stand like sentinels atop the ridge. This ridge separates the three major
drainages of the northern Santa Lucia Range. The Carmel River headwaters of
Blue
Creek
lie just north of the ridge, the
Big Sur River
headwaters of
Cienega Creek
flow southwest, and Tassajara Creek runs southeast into the
Arroyo Seco,
then north
to the
Salinas River
and out to sea. From Pine Ridge, your major climbing is behind
you. Unfortunately, your major bushwhacking is not.
A few minutes along the ridge you may notice a metal plaque nailed to a burnt
snag with flagging tied around its base. This unofficial sign marks the north end of the
Black Cone Trail
(7.4 miles, 4540'). Though the trail has been officially abandoned,
volunteers recently cleared its entire length (see
TRIP 53 Black Cone Trail to Arroyo
Seco
). It offers an incredibly scenic, well-graded southeast passage across Ventana's
major ridges.
From this junction, another abandoned spur strikes through the encroaching
brush—easily overlooked were it not for an unofficial marking flag. If you're willing
to tear through brush, this spur descends to Bear Basin Camp and then climbs 0.8 mile
to a south-climbing ridge and a junction with the Pine Valley-Pine Ridge Trail.
Continue on the Pine Ridge Trail. As you leave the ridge, look southeast toward
the Black Cone Trail, which crosses the flanks of 4965-foot
South Ventana Cone
.
The 2800-foot descent into the Big Sur River canyon begins moderately at first, along
a narrow gravel path that veers west and crosses three minor gullies. The vegetation
changes and retreats somewhat from the trail. Thickets of chamise, yucca, manzanita,
and wartleaf are only knee- to waist-high, allowing ocean views on clear days.
You'll pass large pine snags as you descend 300 feet in 0.3 mile to the signed
Pine Ridge Camp Trail junction
(7.7 miles, 4260').
SIDE TRIP
Pine Ridge Camp Trail
descends 0.1 mile to a flat-topped ridge with incredible
westward views.
Pine Ridge Camp
(7.8 miles, 4170') offers one large site in the
sparse shade of madrones, pines, and tanoaks that survived 1999's ravaging fires.
The site can accommodate up to five tents. Beyond camp, past a large burned mad-
rone, a narrow trail leads northwest a few feet to a reliable spring-fed creeklet.
Campers enjoy unparalleled views of the deep Big Sur drainage as it rises from the
Pacific. This is also a spectacular place to watch a sunset and enjoy the solitude.
