PAT SPRINGS TRAIL
Conditions reported by: Greg Minter
Survey date: 24-NOVEMBER-2006
General: CLEAR
Specific:
Clear conditions, as long as you can find the turnoff, just a few feet west of the Devil's Peak/Palo Colorado Road sign on the Big Pines Trail. The sign itself is about a tenth of a mile west of Big Pines Camp. We hiked this trail in the dark, using headlights, and were able to do it with little difficulty. Tread was clear, no deadfalls, no brush.
Conditions reported by:
Lindsay Jeffers - Stevenson Wilderness Program
Survey date: 8-MARCH-2005
General: CLEAR
Specific:
This connector is a bit brushy but generally clear. The section between the Big Pines Trail and Danish Creek headwaters is a trifle indistinct, or, more precisely, there are a number of competing routes among the fallen pines here. Take your pick and keep your eyes open and you will find the crossing and regain the more singular trail to the Ventana Double Cone Trail junction.
Conditions reported by:
Art Simon
Survey date: 19-JAN-2003
General: CLEAR
Specific:
The connector trail from Pat Spring Camp to Big Pines Camp is clear and easy
to follow (at least by Ventana standards). There are a few spots where the
trail meanders around some deadfall, but I can't recall any encroaching
brush. I would rate it as one of the more pleasant trails in the Ventana
Wilderness. The trail leaves goes downhill across from the sign that
indicates you have (almost) arrived at Pat Spring. It reaches the Big Pines
trail a short distance uphill from the Big Pines trail sign. If you are
coming from Los Padres Dam, you will need to keep your eyes open to see the
turn off. I didn't find the site of the Big Pines camp. The Los Padres
trail guide says the turnoff for the trail to the camp is easily missed and
that was certainly my experience.
