colingregory - Jan 18, 2022 11:38 am Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2022
Backpack & trailwork
Backpacked into Divide Camp on a trip with the VWA to help clear out the Pine Ridge Trail up to the Black Cone Trail. We summited on Day 2 and used our extra time to help the VWA. We did a quick cut of the entire route as our group of 3 all carried loppers and the path should be sufficiently easy travel until at least this summer!
soslaw - Feb 1, 2014 7:26 pm Date Climbed: Feb 1, 2014
From China Camp
Given its proximity to the Pine Ridge Trail this peak sees infrequent visitors based on the register entries. The result is no use trail and a bushwhack. Summit register located at the southeast end of the peak. The views are worth the shwack to the top.
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.
colinr - Mar 12, 2012 4:52 am Date Climbed: Mar 10, 2012
From China Camp
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.
mrchad9 - May 9, 2011 5:10 pm Date Climbed: May 8, 2011
With Ventana Cone
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.
lakenyon - Nov 22, 2006 10:15 pm Date Climbed: Nov 20, 2006
From Big Sur Station
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.
colingregory - Jan 18, 2022 11:38 am Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2022
Backpack & trailworkBackpacked into Divide Camp on a trip with the VWA to help clear out the Pine Ridge Trail up to the Black Cone Trail. We summited on Day 2 and used our extra time to help the VWA. We did a quick cut of the entire route as our group of 3 all carried loppers and the path should be sufficiently easy travel until at least this summer!
soslaw - Feb 1, 2014 7:26 pm Date Climbed: Feb 1, 2014
From China CampGiven its proximity to the Pine Ridge Trail this peak sees infrequent visitors based on the register entries. The result is no use trail and a bushwhack. Summit register located at the southeast end of the peak. The views are worth the shwack to the top.
SkyPilot84 - Apr 23, 2012 3:46 pm Date Climbed: Apr 21, 2012
Dayhike from China CampNorthwest 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.
colinr - Mar 12, 2012 4:52 am Date Climbed: Mar 10, 2012
From China CampI 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.
mrchad9 - May 9, 2011 5:10 pm Date Climbed: May 8, 2011
With Ventana ConeDayhike 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.
lakenyon - Nov 22, 2006 10:15 pm Date Climbed: Nov 20, 2006
From Big Sur StationVery 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.
rhyang - Sep 18, 2006 2:19 pm
April 2003Bushwhacked up from the Black Cone Trail, not far from the Pine Ridge Trail junction. Really enjoyed the views.
Bob Burd - Jun 16, 2006 2:46 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2006
Ventana Triple CrownHoo - boy. Finally successful at tagging all three of the peaks along Pine Ridge in one long, 20hr dayhike with Michael Graupe. Trip Report
fedak - Jun 17, 2004 9:23 pm
Route Climbed: From Pine Ridge Date Climbed: 22-Nov-2003, 17-Jan-2004Quite cold in November, quite hot in January. (Jan trip was with Bob/Matt below.)
Pics from the Nov trip are here
Matthew Holliman - Apr 29, 2004 8:59 pm
Route Climbed: From Pine Ridge Date Climbed: Jan 18, 2003; Jan 17, 2004Hiked with Bob both times. It was hot both times.
Bob Burd - Jan 27, 2004 5:07 pm
Route Climbed: From Pine Ridge Date Climbed: 4/16/02 - 1/18/03 - 1/17/04The 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