Ventana Wilderness

California · Wilderness Area

A 236,726-acre stretch of the Santa Lucia Mountains south of Monterey, with sharp ridges, V-shaped valleys, waterfalls, and redwood-lined canyons along the Big Sur River, from 600 to 5,750 feet. About 197 miles of trails, including the 24-mile Pine Ridge Trail, draw backpackers.

Campgrounds

• Barlow Flat Camp — first come, first served · Primitive · Hike-in
• Sykes Camp — first come, first served · Primitive · Hike-in
• Terrace Creek Camp — first come, first served · Primitive · Hike-in
• Ventana Camp — first come, first served · Primitive · Hike-in

Top trails

• Sykes Hot Springs via the Pine Ridge Trail — 19.1 mi · 4,559 ft gain · 8h 39m · Out & back

Coordinates: 36.2851, -121.6681.

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