Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trip 53
BLACK CONE TRAIL TO ARROYO SECO
LENGTH AND TYPE: 26.2-mile point-to-point, 30.2-mile out-and-back, or 31.6-mile loop
RATING: Challenging
TRAIL CONDITION: Passable to difficult, poison oak, overgrown brush, faint tread
HIGHLIGHTS: Epic views from the flanks of mountains along the recently restored Black Cone Trail
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:
Following the 1977 Marble-Cone Fire, the US Forest Service aban-
doned the Black Cone Trail, which was quickly reclaimed by dense thickets of cha-
parral. The 1999 Kirk Complex Fires raged along most of the trail, exposing its resid-
ual tread. Soon volunteers from the Ventana Wilderness Alliance hiked the area to see
whether it would be feasible to reestablish the trail. In cooperation with the USFS, vo-
lunteers removed brush and debris and regraded the trail.
As is the case with most wilderness trails, it still suffers from overgrowth,
washouts, and annoying ticks, flies, and mosquitoes. Fortunately, there's little poison
oak above 3500 feet on the northern section of the trail, though it fills in again near
Strawberry Camp. Bring a walking stick to counteract the slope and navigate slippery
sections.
In summer, temperatures can reach the upper 90s Fahrenheit along this exposed
8.6-mile trail, and coastal fog obscures your views. In spring, ticks are a nuisance, but
onshore winds promise far-reaching views east to the Arroyo Seco and west to the Big
Sur watershed and broad Pacific. Fragrant wildflowers blanket the ridgelines, gullies,
and steep ravines. In winter the possibility of snow keeps nighttime temps below freez-
ing as howling winds funnel up the canyons. The fog rolls well offshore in fall, ush-
ering in wonderful views, comfortable temps, and diminished tick, fly, and mosquito
populations. However, water can be scarce along much of the route. Fill up at Mos-
quito Springs, White Cone Springs (0.4-0.8 mile past Venturi Camp), the headwaters
of the North Fork Big Sur (not reliable by late summer), Black Cone Camp, and Straw-
berry Creek.
