according to the LPNF website, the Ventana is now open!! Not the Pine ridge Trail (Sykes hot springs) and a few other areas. Check the website for the details.

This in the current Carmel Pine Cone:

Pfeiffer bridge on its way from Alabama
By KELLY NIX
JUST IN time for the busy summer tourist season,
officials with the California Department of Parks and
Recreation purchased a $400,000 temporary bridge
from an Alabama company and expect to have it
installed at the entrance to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
by the end of May.

complete article at:
http://www.pineconearchive.com/090501PCA.pdf

Thanks, I had been checking reserveamerica quite frequently.

I think this part has been added in the past few weeks because I don't remember seeing it a couple months ago. Looks promising: "California State Park On-sale Begins May 1 (Friday 8AM PDT)", but when I was there a few weeks ago the bridges were all still removed and a nice little mudslide had made it's way through town.

I'm going to check first thing in the morning tomorrow and try to snag a sweet spot for June. Anybody have tips on what good sites are? (I was really disappointed with the private campgrounds, and all I need is a base of operations to hike out of for a few days.)

I'm glad to see that the forest is open; I hope the State park follows. Great site guys! Keep up the good work.

-Steve



[quote="Guest"]Pfeiffer Big Sur will probably open within the month. If you check the state park website, there should be a press release coming out within 2 weeks about it.

Just keep contacting Reserve America for campground reservations...if they're not available yet, then they're still closed. No need to contact the Parks direct.[/quote]

Los Padres to reopen areas burned in 2008 fires


Los Padres National Forest officials announced today areas burned last year by the Indians, Basin and Chalk Fires will reopen to the public May 1.


Most of the Monterey Ranger District, including the entire Ventana Wilderness, was closed to public entry through the winter. These areas were closed to protect public safety and natural resources.


The Escondido campground where the Indians Fire started will remain closed as Forest Service personnel continue to repair recreational facilities damaged in the fire.


The Pine Ridge Trail from the Forest boundary on the west to Redwood Camp will also remain closed to the public as it is currently impassable.


"The closures were an inconvenience to our visitors, however this provided the opportunity the Ventana Wilderness and surrounding areas needed to recover and regenerate," said Monterey District Ranger John Bradford.


Bradford urged visitors to exercise caution when hiking and camping, and to be aware of potential hazards.


Visitors are encouraged to contact the Monterey Ranger District's King City office at (831) 385-5434 for information specific to the areas they are interested in visiting.


From Salinas Californian



CPOA Board
info @cpoabigsur.org

Pfeiffer Big Sur will probably open within the month. If you check the state park website, there should be a press release coming out within 2 weeks about it.

Just keep contacting Reserve America for campground reservations...if they're not available yet, then they're still closed. No need to contact the Parks direct.

Well put AdamW88!

"Dude,"

If you were to see my giant biceps, and my intimidating stance, you'd be like, "Dang! I bet this guy knows what he's talking about!" I once scared the face right off a silver-shafted mountain gnu right there at said Little Sur trailhead just by swooshing my golden blonde hair from my sweaty brow.

Go hike it anyway duderino! I'm sure Jim Hill's security guard wouldn't mind you wandering around his property. That's why he has a fleet of people hired to look after his fenceline!

Or wait 4 days. The world is your clam, as they say.

cited, yo

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/about ... n-indians/

Is there any word on when the state park campground will open? Thanks.

The signs posted by the Forest Service made it pretty clear that trail was closed.

Not that it matters anymore, that trail along with the rest of the forest with the exception of the Pine Ridge Trail to Redwood and the Escondido closure will re-open May 1st, I just received the official statement.

If the signs are still up after that, the Forest Service needs to be contacted to make sure there is no miscommunication.

Please cite your sources for your unsubstantiated claim that the trail is 'closed'

Dear "guest on Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:48 am,"

Dude,

You're in luck. The Ventana Wilderness is opening up on Friday, May 1 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE PINE RIDGE TRAIL BETWEEN BIG SUR STATION AND REDWOOD CAMP. This means SYKES will NOT be accessible.

In the meantime, this Little Sur River Trail you describe remains closed, regardless of any bogusness perceived.