Big Sur/Ventana Wilderness etc.

“I'm looking for info on Big Sur and the Ventana Wilderness area. I'd like to do a day hike, easy-moderate in either area. I've seen Julia Pheiffer park mentioned as a nice place to hike too.

Does anyone have any suggestions on which park is the most beautiful or has a trail that fits my description or maybe other ideas of a place to go in that vacinity? Thanks.”

“Anybody???”

“I recently did a day hike up Mt. Carmel in the Ventana area. Not sure what your version of easy to moderate--this was a 10.5 out and back hike from a trailhead off of a road off of highway 1.

I'd be happy to track down all of the appropriate info, if you are interested. I think we pulled the hike out of a "Hiking Northern California" book of some sort...

The trip was a blast, the views were pretty, and there was snow on the ground (but this was the end of February).

Sike's springs in Big Sur is supposed to be wonderful as well (no first hand knowledge of that trip).”

“Thanks bongofreek, I won't ask further information until I'm sure I want to do it, thanks.”

“Also in the guide "to calif." bongo mentioned is a hike in Pfeiffer that is a 1.7 semi-loop to a water fall. Also a2.5 mile hike between San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria in the Santa Lucia Wilderness. I can reference more if this is going in the right direction for you.”

“I hiked up the Carmel River Trail form the East side of the wilderness, in 1999. Since it was July, this was a good choice for a cool hike through the woods. Eventhought there is some river crossing, the water level was low enough to boulder hop. This might not be the case in Spring. For my hike, I continued across the wilderness and spent the night on a high plateau. The next day I hike across the ridgeline andsome very hot, open mountain sides (105 degrees) before arrving on the forested western side of the area. I spent the night on a river with with sulpher springs hot tubs along the banks (thanks to the local trail club for the sandbag tubs) The last day was a cool hike through some redwoods to Big Sur and highway 1. About 40 miles total. I have a guide book and maps, and would be glad to look up the details if this hike sounds interesting. There was a fire shortly after my hike, and some of the area I hiked through burned. Not sure if it has recovered....

Email me if you need more detail.

ST”

“Ventana....Coming off of Highway 1, you are going to do a steady climb. You won't get away from the other folks until 5 miles in. There are some dammed up hot springs to soak in about 8 miles in.”

“for Griff”