Ventana Double Cone, 4,853 ft (1479 m)

Where: Ventana Wilderness, Santa Lucia Mountains

Trail head: Ventana Double Cone trail head, near Bottchers Gap Camp

Length: 29 miles round trip

Cumulative elevation gain: 9500 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

Reservations required: No

Advance planning typically required for permit: N/A

Permit requirements: No

Price: Campsite fee and/or the day use fee (if you don't plan to spend the night in the campground before or after the hike)

Report date: 2006-11-18

Reported by: Silviu

Driving directions: Take Route 1 South, then Palo Colorado Road to Bottchers Gap Campground. Approximately 3 hours from the Bay Area.

Maps: Bob Burd's topo map

Trail condition: Good, althought it may be overgrown heavily.

Description and other notes: Ventana Double Cone is very hard to be reached, but as I guy who hiked with me said, it's the perfect place to date a woman. The only small insignificant problem is that the only two trails which reach this peak are almost 15 miles long, each way (from Bottchers Gap and China Camp). Indeed, you can see the Ocean and the whole Ventana Wilderness, in a unique combination. As usual, you can find more details about Ventana reading Bob Burd's trip reports . If you attempt this hike as a day hike, please don't disregard the cumulative elevation gain, which added to the distance, makes this a memorable experience.

Comments

From Devils Peak you can see the Ocean.

Pico Blanco and the Pacific Ocean.

Pat Spring is conveniently located in the middle between Bottchers Gap and Ventana Double Cone.

Close to Ventana Double Cone, the mountains around become steeper.

There is enough room on Ventana Double Cone for some people to rest or sleep.

Ventana Cone seen from Ventana Double Cone.