South Ventana Cone Climber's Log
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[ Sign the Climber's Log ]
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| SkyPilot84 | Dayhike from China Camp  Date Climbed: Apr 21, 2012 | |
| Northwest slope from the Pine Ridge Trail. We left the Pine Ridge Trail a few hundred feet before the Black Cone Trail junction but soon turned back because the brush was too thick for our liking (we are Ventana bushwhacking novices) and didn't look to get any thinner ahead. So we headed a short distance back down the Pine Ridge Trail (away from the Black Cone Trail junction) and then headed up again, choosing a steeper aspect that looked to have more trees and less brush. Fortunately, soon after leaving the PR trail for the second time we came across a faint use trail/game trail that led to a campfire ring just below the summit plateau. From that point, we pushed through 50 feet of horrendous brush then scrambled up some loose dirt and rocks to the summit plateau. From the top it looked like there might be a promising route on the southwest slope back down to the Black Cone Trail, but we didn't chance going down that way, as we did not know the state of the Black Cone Trail. It was a sweet Ventana adventure, and the views from the top are awesome. Someday I'll try for the Ventana Cone once I forget how much I hate bushwhacking. | |
| Posted Apr 23, 2012 3:46 pm | ||
| SeanReedy | From China Camp Date Climbed: Mar 10, 2012 | |
| I enjoyed the views along the way and from the peak. If I head back to the Tassajara Road area again, I may opt to spend more time exploring Pine Valley and less time bushwacking to reach summits. As I already knew from previous experience and from reading, the non-burned off-trail chapparal areas of the Ventana can be almost impenetrable. The family and I stopped by the Chews Ridge lookout on the way out the next day. | |
| Posted Mar 12, 2012 4:52 am | ||
| mrchad9 | With Ventana Cone Date Climbed: May 8, 2011 | |
| Dayhike in from China Camp to Ventana Cone, then over to South Ventana Cone. Very cloudy most of the day. The CCC was in the process of cutting back and clearing the trail portion, had completed the first four miles or so. | |
| Posted May 9, 2011 5:10 pm | ||
| QuailBS | China Camp to Pine Ridge Camp Date Climbed: May 10, 2008 | |
| Backpacking trip to explore Pine Ridge Camp area. Went down the Black Cone Trail a short ways and then headed up the mountain. Turned around due to slow going in the immense brush and lack of time (it was evening). Noted a large Purple Martin colony near the Black Cone/ Pine Ridge Junction. I will return after the forest is re-open, taking advantage of the scorched brush. Hopefully erosion and winter rain to not obliterate the trails from fire scarring. | |
| Posted Nov 4, 2008 4:32 pm | ||
| panweilin | China Camp -> South Ventana Cone Date Climbed: Dec 2, 2006 | |
| Started from Pine Ridge TH. Made it to South Ventana Cone. Lots of bushwhacking, no fun! Then we decided to give up Ventana Cone. | |
| Posted Oct 25, 2007 3:20 pm | ||
| lakenyon | From Big Sur Station Date Climbed: Nov 20, 2006 | |
| Very nice but very long day hike from Big Sur Station. Bushwhacked up from the Black Cone Trail, but I did a terrible job of route selection on the way down and ended up being scratched and coated in resin and leaves. | |
| Posted Nov 22, 2006 10:15 pm | ||
| rhyang | April 2003 | |
| Bushwhacked up from the Black Cone Trail, not far from the Pine Ridge Trail junction. Really enjoyed the views. | |
| Posted Sep 18, 2006 2:19 pm | ||
| Bob Burd | Ventana Triple Crown Date Climbed: May 29, 2006 | |
| Hoo - boy. Finally successful at tagging all three of the peaks along Pine Ridge in one long, 20hr dayhike with Michael Graupe. Trip Report | |
| Posted Jun 16, 2006 2:46 am | ||
| fedak | Route Climbed: From Pine Ridge Date Climbed: 22-Nov-2003, 17-Jan-2004 | |
| Quite cold in November, quite hot in January. (Jan trip was with Bob/Matt below.) Pics from the Nov trip are here | |
| Posted Jun 17, 2004 9:23 pm | ||
| Matthew Holliman | Route Climbed: From Pine Ridge Date Climbed: Jan 18, 2003; Jan 17, 2004 | |
| Hiked with Bob both times. It was hot both times. | |
| Posted Apr 29, 2004 8:59 pm | ||
| Bob Burd | Route Climbed: From Pine Ridge Date Climbed: 4/16/02 - 1/18/03 - 1/17/04 | |
| The route gets a little harder each year as the chaparral grows back that ravaged the northwest side of the peak some five years ago. Trip Report | |
| Posted Jan 27, 2004 5:07 pm | ||
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