Date Hiked: May 23, 2023
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and/or well maintained)

A VWA volunteer trail crew worked on the Pine Ridge Trail between Church Creek Divide and Pine Ridge May 19-24th. We were supported by a USFS packer and a former MRD firefighter, who packed our gear to Divide Camp. This allowed us to clear trees on the Pine Ridge Trail as far as Pine Ridge Camp. We also cleared out some rockfall sections on Pine Ridge.

With the exception of a huge madrone just past the Carmel River headwaters, about a mile past Divide Camp, the trail is clear all the way from the trailhead at China Camp, out to Pine Ridge.

On our last morning the marine layer came all the way up to Church Creek Divide. We could see it pouring over Puerto Suelo into the Carmel River drainage to the north, and coming up Church Creek, filling the valleys to the south, as far as we could see.

Date Hiked: June 17, 2023
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and/or well maintained)

My first time hiking in Ventana. I loved it and enjoyed moments of solitude on the trail, joy in the green expansive meadows past the Pine Valley cabin and wonder at the brilliant wildflower displays.

No difficulties.

Summary: I hiked in from China Camp around 8:15am on Saturday the 17th and made it to the Church Creek Divide around 10:30am (at which point I veered off onto the Carmel River Trail to Pine Valley.) I hiked out on Sunday the 18th from the Church Creek Divide around 6:40am and made it back to China Camp around 9:00am.

The trail was very well maintained, with easy tread and clear of brush. There was no water (nor did I expect any). It was hotter than I expected. I had looked at forecasts and expected in the 60s. It easily felt high 70s (although I was not able to take the temp). It was full sun, no cloud cover or fog. Wind picked up during the hike out. Most of the grasses were turning brown. Many of the penstemon were in bloom as were the yucca/spanish bayonet and sticky monkey flower. The parking lot was full when I arrived and there was one car parked on the side of the forest road. Only one other group had signed the trail register (a group of 4) with dates for this weekend.


Many of the grasses were head high at times and did encroach the trail. This occurred more on the hike down towards the Church Creek Divide. However I didn't pick up any hitch hikers (ticks). I startled plenty of lizards. Mostly Western Whiptail with a few of what looked like fence lizards. Many butterflies flitting about. So many mating beetles.


I saw no other hikers on the PRT going in or out. There were plenty of campers in Pine Valley and more cars at China Camp when I returned on Sunday.

Because of the warm weather, I decided to make an early start on the return hike out Sunday. I am glad I did as we beat the heat and it was pleasant (although merciless) climb back out.

What a great hike.

Date Hiked: May 15, 2023
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and/or well maintained)

We hiked from China Camp all the way to the coast on May 13-16th and it was a wondrous wildflower hike. There are a few spots where we had to go around fallen trees but nothing major. Incredible hike. Quite exposed and lots of downhill before redwood camp but the wildflowers helped.

Date Hiked: April 15, 2023
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

With the help of the VWA/USFS and ACE Trail Crews, the Pine Ridge Trail has been reopened from the Big Sur Station. The washed-out section just past the Ventana Trail Junction has been repaired.

As always, do your part to keep things nice, pack out your trash, have a valid Fire/Stove permit.

Happy Hiking.

Date Hiked: March 18, 2023
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and/or well maintained)

VWA trail crew volunteers cleared the two complex trees that were obstructing the trail, and sketched in a route above the slide, so it is possible to get by if you are super careful. This section remains closed to the public, and this slide section is due to get a full reconstruction, cutting the bench far back into the hillside. Additionally, the State Parks section of the Pine Ridge Trail remains closed.

Date Hiked: March 10, 2023
General Condition: Impassable (completely overgrown or tread obliterated)

Please note that the entirety of the Pine Ridge Trail is NOT impassable. However, the section of the PRT between the cutoff down to Ventana Camp and the junction with the Terrace Creek Trail remains closed (by forest order) due to a slip out. Repairs are planned but it is too soon to determine when the Forest Service will reopen this section. Until then, a workaround would involve the use of the North Coast Ridge Road (NCRR) and the Terrace Creek Trail to access camps east of Terrace Creek. Another option is to take the NCRR to the Big Sur Trail at Cold Spring to connect to the eastern PRT. See this link for forest closure order updates:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf

Note: the 1.7 mile section of the Pine Ridge Trail located in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is closed due to road work to repair a slip out on the road in the campground and pending State Parks' survey of the trail.

Date Hiked: January 25, 2023
General Condition: Impassable (completely overgrown or tread obliterated)

*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***

Description:

VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers, USFS Forest Service and other agencies continue to patrol the Monterey Ranger District Road and Trails Systems for damage after the recent storms. The below report indicates the Pine Ridge Trail is impassable. Here are a couple of pictures of the impassable section, which is being evaluated for safety and a possible solution to the problem. Be patient and plan accordingly as sections of the LPNF open up to the general public again.

The goal here is to keep the public informed of potential hazards. If you want to help with potential projects with the VWA/USFS be sure to sign up with their Meet Up Group to be notified of future outings.

annevoi wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 1:33 am Date Hiked: January 25, 2023
General Condition: Impassable (completely overgrown or tread obliterated)

I did not hike this trail, but two fellow Wilderness Rangers did, and they encountered a 20-foot section of trail halfway between the Ventana Camp junction and Terrace Creek Camp that had collapsed 80–100 feet, with no safe workaround (except possibly well above). An adjoining 30 feet of trail is on the verge of failing similarly

It sounds like you are saying the trail collapsed around these coordinates 36.24959, -121.73736

https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.8/- ... 1cf61201da

Do you know if they took photos of the damage?

Also, what can the volunteer community do to help reroute or repair this segment of the trail?

Date Hiked: January 25, 2023
General Condition: Impassable (completely overgrown or tread obliterated)

I did not hike this trail, but two fellow Wilderness Rangers did, and they encountered a 20-foot section of trail halfway between the Ventana Camp junction and Terrace Creek Camp that had collapsed 80–100 feet, with no safe workaround (except possibly well above). An adjoining 30 feet of trail is on the verge of failing similarly. Currently, access to Sykes Camp seems to be clear only via Terrace Creek Trail off the North Coast Ridge Road. And then, care must be taken crossing the river at Barlow Camp. Do not try to cross when the river is running high!

Date Hiked: August 8, 2022
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and/or well maintained)

We hiked this trail 8/7/22 - 8/9/22 and stayed at Terrace Creek Camp. This trail is absolutely wonderful. The crew did such a great job getting it back online, and I'm so appreciative.

We did hike about half way down to Ventana Camp before deciding to stay at Terrace Creek. The redwoods were calling me! The trail to Ventana Creek is more overgrown, but there were two people who showed up with big clippers and said they were going to be doing some clean up work, so my guess is that it may be a bit better now.

Terrace Creek is a great little campground, and was perfect for a two night home base. The creek is flowing very well. If you're headed to Sykes, but want a night break before continuing on, this spot can be a nice in between.

Overall, we were thrilled with our time on Pine Ridge Trail and look forward to visiting again!