2003.05.24
Ventana Wilderness
Over Memorial Day Weekend I backpacked in the Cone Peak area of Ventana. Hare Canyon and Vicente Flat are quite beautiful, but can draw a crowd on a holiday weekend. Limekiln Canyon and beyond, however, are a world apart, with far fewer footprints.
3 pages / 45 photos
2003-05-24-DSCN0199-Ventana
Big Sur Coast
The trailhead is across Route One from Kirk Creek Campground, which is on a high bluff overlooking the Pacific. Roadside parking on Route One is free, so all you need is a fire permit. That's free too.
[click for photo enlargement + details]
2003-05-24-DSCN0194-Ventana
Cone Peak
Cone Peak is just shy of one mile high, yet it's only three miles inland. The huge elevation change rivals the Grand Canyon in depth.
[click for photo enlargement + details]
2003-05-24-DSCN0016-Ventana
Trail Junction
Around the six mile mark you reach Vicente Flat, which is in an old growth redwood forest. Some of the trees at Vicente Flat camp are enormous.
[click for photo enlargement + details]
