Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
leads a quarter mile to a minor ridge, where it turns south and climbs to more open
terrain. The trail wanders up the western flank, then climbs south to an abandoned
40-foot
lookout tower
(6.2 miles, 5862') at the summit.
From this vantage point atop the highest peak in the Santa Lucia Range, you'll
take in virtually the entire northern range, including the
Ventana and Silver Peak
wildernesses, Hunter Liggett Military Reservation,
and the
Big Sur
coast. To the
northwest, conspicuously flat-topped
Uncle Sam Mountain
(4766') and notched, bar-
ren
Ventana Double Cone
(4853') rise behind
Tassajara Creek
and
Church Creek
canyons. Sixty miles of visible coastline spread out beyond the
Coast Ridge.
To the
west, 5155-foot
Cone Peak
rises less than 3 miles from the glistening blue
Pacific
(or
perhaps engulfing fog bank).
Piñon Peak
(5264') caps a prominent ridge that extends
east, masking most of the Salinas Valley, while beyond it lies the
Diablo Range,
35
miles to the south. On extremely clear days, usually between winter storms, you may
spot the high crests of the
Sierra Nevada
across the
Salinas and San Joaquin Val-
leys.
About 165 miles east, any visible peaks are most likely those along the east edge
of Kings Canyon National Park. When ready, return the way you came.
STA'YOKALE, SACRED PEAK
Formerly known as Sta'yokale, Pimkolam, and Santa Lucia Peak, Junipero Serra
Peak has long been of great spiritual importance to Salinian American Indians. The
Salinian people continue to gather here for ceremony and prayer, trusting in the heal-
ing wisdom of this sacred mountain.
The following traditional Salinian creation story, retold by the Salinian Nation
Cultural Preservation Association, explains the peak's significance:
A long time ago, waters from the ocean rose and flooded the entire world, ex-
cept for the very top of Sta'yokale. Those First People who survived the deluge
gathered on top with Eagle (Sa'yyo). Sa'yyo asked Kingfisher to dive down and get
some mud from the bottom of the water. Kingfisher did so, but when he returned to
the surface, he died. Sa'yyo scraped mud from beneath Kingfisher's nails, which he
rolled into four balls. He threw one of the balls to each of the four directions. The
waters receded, and the world became as it is today. And the First People who had
died were brought back to life.
