Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Big Sur hiking?

Every winter I stop hiking because of the snow conditions here in Southern California. This year, I am commited to hiking in the cold months, in places like Joshua Tree, southern Arizona, etc.

Has anyone hiked extensively in the Ventana Wilderness in Big Sur, up on Highway 1? I bought a book about Big Sur hiking and the vistas and terrain look great. The hikes aren't high altitude, obviously, no as strenuous as the High Sierra hikes, but as a winter alternative, Big Sir sounds pretty good. I'd be interested to hear any input on hiking in that region of California.

Can be some absolutley beautiful and rugged country back there. Be wary though, even though it is near the coast the nighttime temps can get way down there. My first camping trip there the temp fell to about 15 to 20 at night. On a rare occassion it snows in there and when it does it melts quickly making for a wet and soggy trip. Have fun and enjoy!!

PS - bears are a problem at whitney - wild boar are the problem in Ventana - use caution.

Yes, there are plenty of Whitney-worthy conditioners to do there, in or near Big Sur. Mt. Manuel (3,379') is all on trail, with maybe 6 miles and 3,000' gain one way. Junipero Serra Peak (5,862') is another trail hike, with over 4,000' gain and another 7 or so miles one way. I've done both of them, although they will be better in spring.

Ventana Cone, Double Ventana Cone, and the other Cone are long hikes. A real challenge for a day.

One of the great Pacific Ocean views is to be gained from Cone Peak (5,155'). An easy 2 mile hike, the ocean is all that way below you.

Your book should have other hikes to do. These are the ultimate peak experiences in the area. You mostly need the Adventure Pass, yes, even up here. Or pay the State Parks. Watch for ticks, and beware the muddy trails (after a heavy rain). You pretty much have to stay to trails, since the impenetrable brush curtails all cross-country travel.

I have hundreds of photos, if there is any way I can find out to post them on this message board. A few photos are on my THOUSAND PEAKS website, under Pete's Classic Leads, under Junipero Serra Peak (3/1986). My stats here are from quick memory, so please check on them. Plenty of stuff, on the Net, doing a search on the peak names. Have a great few hikes!

two places come to mind: Salmon creek waterfall--if you follow the high trail to the right--past all the trash and poison oak--you get to the top of the falls. There at the top-a small triangle hole lets you drop into the cave on top of he falls. There is a saddle where you can sit-look down the falls and have water cascading over the top-magic. Another is at Little Sur River bridge. Take the trail down to the beach--black sand. There is a cave there which opens out to the waves and has a natural chimney. It had a sand bottom--can't see the road--great for camping.

I looked into this area recently and found good trail condition reports at this <a href="http://www.ventanawild.org/trails/trail.html">Ventana Wilderness Alliance site</a>.

I hiked quite a lot in Ventana Wilderness last winter/spring. If you want, email me at mlog@cybermont.com, and I'll share some beta.