Date Hiked: December 31, 2024
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and/or well maintained)
Overall this trail is in great condition, totally clear from the state park until past Terrace Creek. The crossings at Barlow Flat was easy and refreshing. There was one large diameter redwood, photographed in a previous trail report, that was passable but will need a crosscut to clear. There were several other small diameter logs across the trail, though there was one in particular that should be addressed, also photographed in a previous trail report. Somebody has partially cleared it so that it is passable but the tree remains across the trail. Stopped at Sykes, I made a report for the user trail to the springs as well, lots of windfall
Pine Ridge Trail
Re: Pine Ridge Trail
sfrake wrote: Sat Dec 21, 2024 2:03 pm
[ED: thanks for the great report. It is super helpful to know about issues, especially large blowdowns. If you could also advise on the approximate diameters (In the places that need to be cut) of the trees that are down, that would also be helpful. Photos are also great.]
There was only one large-diameter redwood that I recall, shortly (1/3 mile?) before (west of) Sykes. It wasn't a significant obstacle:
Most of them were small diameter trees (tanoak, small oaks, and others. I can't really identify any plant life other than redwoods and Santa Lucia Firs). This is one mile west of Sykes and more difficult (looking back at it):
Just up the hill east from Sykes:
This was the worst, a mile east of Sykes. My son went up to the left, and I went straight through. It had a little of everything:
Same one, looking back at it:
So, to the best of my recollection, it was only small-diameter stuff that was truly problematic. I know how the VWA feels about chainsaws, but they would make quick work of it. After looking through my photos I realized there was some junk we had to wade through on the Big Sur Trail as well, so I'll update my post there. That wasn't bad, though.
[ED: fyi the Wilderness Act prohibits chainsaw use in USFS Wilderness Areas, under. There are times when we might apply for a variance if an obstacle cannot safely be removed without a chainsaw.]
Re: Pine Ridge Trail
Date Hiked: December 20, 2024
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
I hiked the Pine Ridge/Big Sur/Coast Ridge loop on 12/20/24 w/my son (we accessed the loop from the beginning of Coast Ridge Rd.). I’m posting updates on the Pine Ridge, Big Sur, and Terrace Creek Trails.
Pine Ridge Trail (Between the Terrace Creek Trail and Big Sur Trail junctions): Most of the time the trail is a “Wilderness Freeway,” but there are ½ dozen or so recent blowdowns in this section that will slow you down. The first one is about a mile west of Sykes, but most are between Sykes and Redwood Camp. None were too difficult getting through except for the one a mile east of Sykes. My son went up and around, but it was a very steep slope and it took him several minutes. I decided to go straight through, and I made it, but not easily. I did beat my son, though. I should mention that we were wearing daypacks, and the level of difficulty would be quite a bit higher with heavy backpacks.
I hate to be the one to say it, but given the trail condition definitions, this section of the Pine Ridge Trail is "Passable." The trail is really in great shape except for the downed trees though, and if you’re just going to Sykes and back there are only a couple easily passed blowdowns.
[ED: thanks for the great report. It is super helpful to know about issues, especially large blowdowns. If you could also advise on the approximate diameters (In the places that need to be cut) of the trees that are down, that would also be helpful. Photos are also great.]
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
I hiked the Pine Ridge/Big Sur/Coast Ridge loop on 12/20/24 w/my son (we accessed the loop from the beginning of Coast Ridge Rd.). I’m posting updates on the Pine Ridge, Big Sur, and Terrace Creek Trails.
Pine Ridge Trail (Between the Terrace Creek Trail and Big Sur Trail junctions): Most of the time the trail is a “Wilderness Freeway,” but there are ½ dozen or so recent blowdowns in this section that will slow you down. The first one is about a mile west of Sykes, but most are between Sykes and Redwood Camp. None were too difficult getting through except for the one a mile east of Sykes. My son went up and around, but it was a very steep slope and it took him several minutes. I decided to go straight through, and I made it, but not easily. I did beat my son, though. I should mention that we were wearing daypacks, and the level of difficulty would be quite a bit higher with heavy backpacks.
I hate to be the one to say it, but given the trail condition definitions, this section of the Pine Ridge Trail is "Passable." The trail is really in great shape except for the downed trees though, and if you’re just going to Sykes and back there are only a couple easily passed blowdowns.
[ED: thanks for the great report. It is super helpful to know about issues, especially large blowdowns. If you could also advise on the approximate diameters (In the places that need to be cut) of the trees that are down, that would also be helpful. Photos are also great.]
Re: Pine Ridge Trail
Date Hiked: October 17, 2024
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Just hiked the Pine Ridge Trail, 2 days from China Camp to Big Sur Station. How lovely! Three days would have been perfect. Ample water near Church Creek Divide, then a couple of trickles, excellent water at Redwood camp and then regularly from Sykes west. Encountered 1 party between China Camp and Sykes, maybe 5 from Sykes west. The trail was in excellent condition the whole way, having benefitted from recent trail work. Thank you VWA trail crews. I am no longer able to do trail work, but did make a contribution to the VWA for all that they do to make this and other Big Sur/Ventana hikes possible. If you are thinking of this hike, you should make a contribution too.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Just hiked the Pine Ridge Trail, 2 days from China Camp to Big Sur Station. How lovely! Three days would have been perfect. Ample water near Church Creek Divide, then a couple of trickles, excellent water at Redwood camp and then regularly from Sykes west. Encountered 1 party between China Camp and Sykes, maybe 5 from Sykes west. The trail was in excellent condition the whole way, having benefitted from recent trail work. Thank you VWA trail crews. I am no longer able to do trail work, but did make a contribution to the VWA for all that they do to make this and other Big Sur/Ventana hikes possible. If you are thinking of this hike, you should make a contribution too.
Re: Pine Ridge Trail
Date Hiked: May 31, 2024
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Two VWA volunteers worked to clear brush between Sykes Camp and Redwood Camp in early June, 2024. This was a follow up trip to a logging trip where VWA volunteers cleared trees from the Terrace Creek Trail to Redwood Camp.
On this brushing trip, we got almost halfway from Sykes to Redwood. But as BP22 notes, the trail is in great shape! That is because the worst of the brush was in that first section of trail. There are still a few brushy sections before Redwood Camp. We also cleared some of the brush between Barlow Flat and Sykes Camp, where several VWA efforts, and one day of a paid trail crew, started working from Barlow. But plenty of brush remains in this section. Note: the paid trail crew was funded by VWA donors, to construct a crib wall at the Barlow Flat washout. They finished one day early, and were able to work up the trail, doing brushing.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Two VWA volunteers worked to clear brush between Sykes Camp and Redwood Camp in early June, 2024. This was a follow up trip to a logging trip where VWA volunteers cleared trees from the Terrace Creek Trail to Redwood Camp.
On this brushing trip, we got almost halfway from Sykes to Redwood. But as BP22 notes, the trail is in great shape! That is because the worst of the brush was in that first section of trail. There are still a few brushy sections before Redwood Camp. We also cleared some of the brush between Barlow Flat and Sykes Camp, where several VWA efforts, and one day of a paid trail crew, started working from Barlow. But plenty of brush remains in this section. Note: the paid trail crew was funded by VWA donors, to construct a crib wall at the Barlow Flat washout. They finished one day early, and were able to work up the trail, doing brushing.
Re: Pine Ridge Trail
Date Hiked: August 14, 2024
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and/or well maintained)
This report is specifically for Sykes all the way up to the junction with the Big Sur Trail. It's wilderness freeway! great work from the trail crew, I was very impressed. Thank you!
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and/or well maintained)
This report is specifically for Sykes all the way up to the junction with the Big Sur Trail. It's wilderness freeway! great work from the trail crew, I was very impressed. Thank you!
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Cwparkinson
Re: Pine Ridge Trail
Date Hiked: June 15, 2024
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and/or well maintained)
Hiked to Sykes from Big Sur station over the weekend. Trail in great shape to Barlow, with some brush encroaching between Barlow and Sykes. The slide bypass down thru Barlow could use some flagging but pretty easy to figure out. Plenty of water all along the trail. Suprised only three small groups at Sykes, had the hot springs to myself Saturday evening. Beautiful blue bird days, some flies still about. Enjoy!
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and/or well maintained)
Hiked to Sykes from Big Sur station over the weekend. Trail in great shape to Barlow, with some brush encroaching between Barlow and Sykes. The slide bypass down thru Barlow could use some flagging but pretty easy to figure out. Plenty of water all along the trail. Suprised only three small groups at Sykes, had the hot springs to myself Saturday evening. Beautiful blue bird days, some flies still about. Enjoy!
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crockettonearth
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Tue Feb 18, 2020 10:24 am
Re: Pine Ridge Trail
Date Hiked: May 5, 2024
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Slight update to my 05/05/24 report.
I finished reviewing the footage.
The tree count from the trip is 31 trees removed from the trail during the four-day trip.
I was off because when we cut out complexes (groups of trees that fall down together in the same location) I miss count the individual trees.
However, by reviewing the video of the work, I can reconcile my records.
Edits from the work will slowly go public on my YouTube channel over the next 14 months on two playlists;
1. Trail work https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLqJ ... wm9_adMJr5
2. Cross-cut saws https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLqJ ... UXgAxccmKl
My hope is that these videos will inspire more folks to join the volunteer trail crews in this place we love. If one were to go viral and make $1,000 of dollars I would donate all that money beyond the cost of production to orgs like VWA.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Slight update to my 05/05/24 report.
I finished reviewing the footage.
The tree count from the trip is 31 trees removed from the trail during the four-day trip.
I was off because when we cut out complexes (groups of trees that fall down together in the same location) I miss count the individual trees.
However, by reviewing the video of the work, I can reconcile my records.
Edits from the work will slowly go public on my YouTube channel over the next 14 months on two playlists;
1. Trail work https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLqJ ... wm9_adMJr5
2. Cross-cut saws https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLqJ ... UXgAxccmKl
My hope is that these videos will inspire more folks to join the volunteer trail crews in this place we love. If one were to go viral and make $1,000 of dollars I would donate all that money beyond the cost of production to orgs like VWA.
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crockettonearth
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Tue Feb 18, 2020 10:24 am
Re: Pine Ridge Trail
Date Hiked: May 5, 2024
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Betsy led a great volunteer saw trip which allowed me to help remove 26 trees between Terrace Creek and Redwood Creek Camp.
Including our primary objective a big redwood tree complex near Redwood camp.
In short, there should be no more deadfall on the trail between Terrace Creek and Redwood Creek Camp at the time of this writing!
I plan on editing a video of the tree work I captured on the trip slowly as time allows.
My tree count notes from the trip.
#######
Tree count
#1 - Small redwood hand saw
#2 - Oak
#3 - Oak
#4 - Oak
#5 Carrot Tree 5 cuts day 1 - 1 cut day 3
Day Two
#6 1 cut
#7 One cut single buck
Redwood complex
#8 Small Madrone
#9 Medium Redwood. 3 cuts
#10 Big Redwood 124 years old - 2 Cuts
#11 Tan Oak 1 cut hardwood - hot part of the day. lots of p-oak
#12 Small oak - Axe work only
#13 Medium oak - cut below the trail
#14. Medium oak cut below the trail
#15 Medium oak tree - Redwood camp entrance
Hand saw work only
####
Day 3 05/04/24 - rain 1/2 the day. Heavy at times.
#16 - Old burned oak - Axe work only
#17 Tan oak - one cut - cleared with help from 4 hikers
#5 - Cut #6 Carrot tree finally done!
#18 - Live Oak One cut in the rain - in the closer area. *Stay out of this area and use the bypass
#19 - Small tree Big Sur river crossing hand saw
#20 - Small tree Big Sur river crossing hand saw
#21 Redwood Barlow flat camp - cross-cut saw
#21 - Oak Tree - two cuts cross cut saw
######
Day 4
#22 small tree Sykes camp
#23 Small tree Sykes camp
#24 Small tree log wood creek
#25 small tree log wood creek
#26 Big tan oak 1 cut cross cut saw near Terrace Creek camp Fell down in the rain day #3.
#######
We need more folks to help do work on these trails. Sign up for a trip here: https://www.meetup.com/ventana-wilderne ... ce-meetup/
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Betsy led a great volunteer saw trip which allowed me to help remove 26 trees between Terrace Creek and Redwood Creek Camp.
Including our primary objective a big redwood tree complex near Redwood camp.
I plan on editing a video of the tree work I captured on the trip slowly as time allows.
My tree count notes from the trip.
#######
Tree count
#1 - Small redwood hand saw
#2 - Oak
#3 - Oak
#4 - Oak
#5 Carrot Tree 5 cuts day 1 - 1 cut day 3
Day Two
#6 1 cut
#7 One cut single buck
Redwood complex
#8 Small Madrone
#9 Medium Redwood. 3 cuts
#10 Big Redwood 124 years old - 2 Cuts
#11 Tan Oak 1 cut hardwood - hot part of the day. lots of p-oak
#12 Small oak - Axe work only
#13 Medium oak - cut below the trail
#14. Medium oak cut below the trail
#15 Medium oak tree - Redwood camp entrance
Hand saw work only
####
Day 3 05/04/24 - rain 1/2 the day. Heavy at times.
#16 - Old burned oak - Axe work only
#17 Tan oak - one cut - cleared with help from 4 hikers
#5 - Cut #6 Carrot tree finally done!
#18 - Live Oak One cut in the rain - in the closer area. *Stay out of this area and use the bypass
#19 - Small tree Big Sur river crossing hand saw
#20 - Small tree Big Sur river crossing hand saw
#21 Redwood Barlow flat camp - cross-cut saw
#21 - Oak Tree - two cuts cross cut saw
######
Day 4
#22 small tree Sykes camp
#23 Small tree Sykes camp
#24 Small tree log wood creek
#25 small tree log wood creek
#26 Big tan oak 1 cut cross cut saw near Terrace Creek camp Fell down in the rain day #3.
#######
We need more folks to help do work on these trails. Sign up for a trip here: https://www.meetup.com/ventana-wilderne ... ce-meetup/
Re: Pine Ridge Trail
Date Hiked: March 2, 2024
General Condition: Impassable (completely overgrown or tread obliterated)
There is a slide blocking the Pine Ridge Trail, just upstream of the crib wall that was constructed last November. The Monterey County Sheriff's Search and Rescue responded to a report of 5 hikers stuck on the upstream side of the slide, and used rigging to get the hikers across the slide one at a time.
Because this slide is in the part of the trail that was bypassed after the 2017 slip out, it is still an option to take the reroute to get around the new slide. However, if the water level is high, this is a dangerous option. You can check flow rates in the Big Sur River at the USGS Water Data page. Our current guess is that the crossings are passable at flow rates less than 250 cubic feet per second. But this is very dependent on the individual and their comfort level with water crossings. Be prepared to get wet, at a minimum, until mid-summer.
Note: in the second photo, showing the slide, it may look like you can get past this slide. YOU CANNNOT GET PAST THIS SLIDE. There is a 200 foot drop to the river below.
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-l ... dian=false
General Condition: Impassable (completely overgrown or tread obliterated)
There is a slide blocking the Pine Ridge Trail, just upstream of the crib wall that was constructed last November. The Monterey County Sheriff's Search and Rescue responded to a report of 5 hikers stuck on the upstream side of the slide, and used rigging to get the hikers across the slide one at a time.
Because this slide is in the part of the trail that was bypassed after the 2017 slip out, it is still an option to take the reroute to get around the new slide. However, if the water level is high, this is a dangerous option. You can check flow rates in the Big Sur River at the USGS Water Data page. Our current guess is that the crossings are passable at flow rates less than 250 cubic feet per second. But this is very dependent on the individual and their comfort level with water crossings. Be prepared to get wet, at a minimum, until mid-summer.
Note: in the second photo, showing the slide, it may look like you can get past this slide. YOU CANNNOT GET PAST THIS SLIDE. There is a 200 foot drop to the river below.
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-l ... dian=false
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