Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From the junction, the Pine Ridge Trail descends past scorched ponderosa snags.
Pause to admire views southeast toward the Black Cone Trail, which slices a nearly
level route from South Ventana Cone toward Black Cone. Continue your descent on
a steep grade for the remaining 2500 vertical feet to the Big Sur River canyon. Al-
though encroaching brush is less of a problem along this narrow section, the tread is
loose and washed out in places. Use caution when carrying a large pack.
You will pass thickets of chamise, ceanothus, fragrant black sage, scattered yuc-
cas, and sticky monkeyflowers, the latter bearing bright orange blossoms and pre-
dictably sticky leaves. The route reaches a long saddle with views northwest toward
Ventana Double Cone, which rises some 2500 feet from Redwood Creek below. You
will descend past a hillside covered in invasive broom to a small gully just below a
major saddle. Cross the gully to the Big Sur Trail junction (10.3 miles, 2320').
The Pine Ridge Trail veers right at the junction for the final 500 vertical feet to
Redwood Creek. After 0.3 mile the thick brush finally gives way to redwoods nestled
along the steep ravines and canyon bottoms. The spectacular views are behind you,
but so are the worst trail conditions, and poison oak makes its reappearance. After
a series of switchbacks, temperatures dramatically drop, as the trail enters the cool,
damp redwood microclimate.
On a level grade the trail crosses Redwood Creek and passes the first of four of-
ficial sites at Redwood Camp (11.2 miles, 1800'). The first small site along the west
bank can accommodate up to two tents. To reach the other sites, you will have to hike
farther downstream along a spur.
SIDE TRIP
Ten feet past the first site in Redwood Camp , you'll reach a 0.1-mile spur to the oth-
er sites. Cross the creek on the large redwood log and hike 100 feet downstream to
the second site. Though there's only room for one tent, the sloping site does include
a fire ring. The third site lies 50 feet farther downstream, amid large boulders and
old-growth redwoods along the east bank. This small, shady site can accommodate
up to two tents. The fourth and largest site sits atop an open bench 100 feet farther
along the east bank, 70 feet past a small seep. Redwoods, tanoaks, and bays ring the
perimeter, while starflowers and wild strawberries carpet the forest floor. This site
can accommodate up to 10 tents.
From camp the Pine Ridge Trail heads south and climbs above the west bank of
Redwood Creek. To continue westbound along the Pine Ridge Trail, refer to TRIP 59
Sykes & Redwood Camps and follow that trail description in reverse.
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