Mid November, any interest in a Big Sur, Ventana, Los Padres trip?

Maybe, have any specific details?

Nope. Open to ideas and suggestions. I'd like to bring my daughter to this one, so it won't be a very fast, very far kind of a trip. Sykes could work, but it tends to be crowded. Pico Blanco maybe, or?

Pat Spring.


--B.G.--

I'm looking for a backpacking trip in Nov without snow.
Vincente Flats is about 6 miles in and has a small grove of redwoods.(Cone Peak).

The hike from Bothchers gap to Pat Springs also is a good trip and less chance of poison oak.

I'll look those up, sounds like either would work.

"The hike from Bothchers gap to Pat Springs also is a good trip and less chance of poison oak."

The trail from Botchers Gap to Pat Spring was full of poison oak in 1985, but that was a long time ago.

--B.G.--

Hey Katharina I would have interest- I am sure you have been to Big Basin many times over the years being so close to you..Let me know what you come up with. I'm trying to keep my monthly backpacking streak still alive.

Anywhere in Big Sur there is poison oak, I was at Pat Spring in 2008 and it just seemed it was less thick once you, got farther inland, away from the Coast. We camped at Vincente Flats Last Nov and as far as I know no got poison oak but it's there as well.
We camped in the Big Trees, the little meadow had plenty of Poison Oak.

I'd love to tag along. I dont have mid-Nov worked out yet but it seems doable right now.

I'd be in if it is cool. My back is completely healed and I have not slept outside for a long time..............

What would work better, the second or the third weekend? Is anyone interested in getting to the area Friday night and make it a two nighter? Any more input as far as which exact location?

Second for me. I can only do one night though

I think i can go either weekend so far. I'd rather go for 2 or 3 nights if anyone can do that. I got some tweaking to do on my rain gear by then.

The 2nd weekend is better for me but either weekend works.
no bear cannister, you can build a fire, on a clear night very bright stars.


To get to Vincente Flats you start at the Kirk Creek campsite on Highway 1, the trail is across the street. It looks like this as you hike in.

It's an easy hike into Vincente flats, if it's 2 nights you have the option of climbing Cone Peak, Then Hiking out on Sunday the same way you came in. (about 6 miles


or Pat Spring is also a great trip.

View from ridge at Pat Spring trip

Deleted to avoid confusion

Edited by Kat_P on 10/31/2010 18:52:46 MDT.

Kat both options are great...I can only do one night which is Sat. due to work. With that said, I would love to attend if possible

If anyone knows a decent trail map of the area that i can see online that would be great. Sounds like 2nd week is most popular so I'll work on that one.

One night is best for me as well

Adan I really dond't think there are any good maps of this region. I have not seen any Tom Harrison maps done for this area. Ventana is kind of a "wild area" so to speak. I will look around.