South Ventana Cone, 4954 ft (1513 m)

Where: Ventana Wilderness, Santa Lucia Mountains

Trail head: Ventana Double Cone trail head, near China Camp

Length: 14 miles round trip

Cumulative elevation gain: 6000 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous, due to bushwhacking

Reservations required: No

Advance planning typically required for permit: N/A

Permit requirements: No

Price: Free

Report date: 2006-12-02

Reported by: Silviu

Driving directions: Take Route 1 South, then Tassajara Road to China Camp. Approximately 3 hours from the Bay Area.

Maps: Bob Burd's topo map

Trail condition: Good until you start bushwhacking without any trail.

Description and other notes: South Ventana Cone is the Southest of the three peaks with the same name (sic). You can do it separately, from China Camp and back, or coupled with Ventana Cone, also, from China Camp and back. You can read Bob Burd's detailed hike report and find out for yourself how much you want to hike. The best way to reach the peak is how Bob shows on his topo map, i.e. try to leave the Pine Ridge Trail such that you have the shortest distance of bushwhacking. That way you punish yourself less, although nobody can guarantee you that.

Comments

Yucca plants are everywhere in Ventana.

If you want to avoid bushwhacking, you should try to climb as many rocks as possible.

Ventana Wilderness.

Bushwhacking on South Ventana Cone. Ventana Cone and Ventana Double Cone are seen in background.

The moon is larger in Ventana.

Sunrise over Ventana.