COMINGS CAMP TRAIL
- USFS trail #
- Parking: See Ventana Double Cone Trail
- Watersheds: North Fork Little Sur
- Junctions: Ventana Double Cone Trail,
Pine Creek Trail
- Connects: Ventana Double Cone Trail with Comings Camp
- Camps: Comings Camp
Conditions reported by:
Adam W
Survey date: 28-MAY-2006
General: PASSABLE
Specific:
We found the trail was easily followed, but there are a lot of downed trees.
The landscape almost seems to be completely opposite of the Skinner Ridge Trail before the junction, thick forest with dead fallen trees. Although there is now view at the camp, I would say that it does seem like a nice place to camp, but dont expect a veiw. Also, the cistern was full and covered, not running out the pipe, and the creek below the cistern was also running. If the creek wasnt running and the cistern was low, water would be an issue.
Also, the abandoned pack is still there. There might be some emergency supplies in it if ever needed.
The downside of the camp is that there is no view, but it is quite spacious, with a makeshift table. Be aware that the water isn't completely reliable, you may need to follow that creek some ways to find water during drier seasons.
Conditions reported by:
Lindsay Jeffers
Survey date: 20-MAY-2006
General: CLEAR
Specific:
The trail may have improved since the last report since it is easy to follow everywhere except the very top where fresh grass obscures it a little. The camp site is wide and flat. There is running water well down from the camp, perhaps a six or seven minute walk to a small creek beyond the old cistern and non-working tank. Water from the cistern could doubtless be used if it were filtered or boiled, but the creeklet a couple of minutes careful walk beyond it appears to flow fairly regularly.
The camp was empty when we were there, and clean except for an apparently abandoned Jansport backpack. There must be a story behind that.
Conditions reported by:
Carl A. Mounteer
Survey date: 12-MAY-2006
General: PASSABLE
Specific:
The tread is very faint on this trail because it is covered with leaves and appears to be little used. It is wide with no cliffs or other dangerous spots. The camp itself is on a very spacious flat. But why would anyone want to camp here? There is no water and no view. With all the tall trees surrounding the spacious flat site and the forest canopy darkening it, it reminded me of being in a rather gloomy cathedral.
Conditions reported by:
Lindsay Jeffers - Stevenson Wilderness Program
Survey date: 10-MARCH-2005
General: CLEAR
Specific:
The trail to the camp is Clear. The camp itself is clean and welcoming. Water is available in the field below the camp, although it has been problematic in drier seasons.
Conditions reported by:
EW
Survey date: 13-MAR-2004
General: CLEAR, LITTLE/NO WATER IN CAMP
Specific:
Section: Ventana Double Cone Trail to Comings Camp
A few dead-falls to circumvent, tread occasionally obscured by Madrone
leaves, but overall easily followed to the camp.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The old spring was bone-dry in March! A murky flow can be found a few
hundred yards downstream, but not without significant effort expended.
It's likely that even more bush-whacking would be needed to get water in
summer or fall; best to either come prepared or camp elsewhere!
Conditions reported by:
Jake Goetz
Survey date: 9-OCT-2002
General: WILDERNESS FREEWAY
Specific:
The Comings Camp trail was clear and well defined. The camp itself
appeared to be clean but also heavily used. The water has stopped flowing
from the spring near below the camp. There was some water in the concrete
cistern but I didn't try it. Water could be found about 200 yds down
canyon, but it's a steep climb to get down to it. All in all Comings camp
is still a very nice place to stay.
Conditions reported by:
Jeffrey Zimmerman
Survey date: 18-MAR-2001
General: QUESTIONABLE WATER SOURCE
Specific:
I noticed this weekend that the Comings Camp spring (Ventana
Double Cones Trail) has stopped flowing. There's water in the spring house
(not much), some rainwater in the cistern (indeed, the camp's grounds are
still damp from
last weekend's rains), and the seep downhill of the spring is gooey, but
the free flow from the pipe has stopped. Maybe somebody turned it off
for the winter so the pipes wouldn't burst? ;-) Anyhow, unless I'm
missing something here, I'd now call this particular spot an unreliable
source.
Conditions reported by: Stevenson School Wilderness Expedition 2000
Survey date: APRIL-2000
General: CLEAR
Specific:
The trail down to Comings Camp is in fine shape. The camp is clean except for
lots of horse droppings, which mar the areas around the madrone trees
near the main camping area. The spring is running well, and the plumbing
is in good shape.
Conditions reported by:
Jon Benner
Survey date: February 1999
General: CLEAR
Specific:
The trail is passable and in good condition, although the tread can be
slightly difficult to follow if obscured by madrone leaves.
