Wheelbarrow - Mar 20, 2024 1:58 am Date Climbed: Dec 11, 2020
Cool hike through at least 3 different biomes
This might be the most underrated hike in Big Sur.
Domtron - Oct 12, 2022 6:23 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2021
Bushwhacking
This was a tough trail to follow and I needed All Trails. Bring a machete because you'll need to bushwhack. Slow going and didn't summit with a slower trail mate.
Beautiful day on Easter Sunday; chilly in the morning (34F), but soon warmed up. Still a very decent flow in all creeks, and plenty of amazing flowers carpeting the meadows. Somebody maintained the trail yesterday I guess, due to the amount of broken twigs on the ground. The trail was clear, but still overgrown though, long sleeves and trousers are advised.
kevinlr5 - Jul 3, 2017 12:58 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2017
Summer hike
~7 hours RT from Memorial Park. Temps were mild early on, but in the 90s by the time we finished. The last mile before the summit is completely overgrown.
Fletch - May 24, 2017 1:12 am Date Climbed: May 23, 2017
94 is too hot
I got crushed in the heat. I left at 3pm, so I guess I deserve it. Turned around at +/- 4,500 ft. Back at the car at 7pm, it still read 88. Fuck me.
Came back in December and got it. Much more enjoyable. 6:30 RT. Minor bushwhacking at the top. Machete might have helped.
orbitor - Mar 27, 2017 3:27 pm Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2014
Via Santa Lucia Trail
Standard route, one tricky spot navigation wise. Views only towards the east due to clouds, there was a bit of snow just below the summit on the north aspect.
Will Newcomb - Aug 22, 2016 1:25 am Date Climbed: Apr 24, 2016
Santa Lucia Trail
Hiked on a beautiful spring morning with Evan Escher, Chris Escher, and Paul Trevisan. Wearing long pants was extremely beneficial, as the unkempt trail nearing the summit becomes standard bushwhacking. The views from the summit are killer though and the surrounding Ventana Wilderness/the Indians are quite impressive.
gordonye - Jul 8, 2016 3:05 am Date Climbed: Nov 28, 2014
Standard route
Hiked with Mike Chen from Santa Lucia Memorial Park on a freezing day.
trexkerry - Jun 8, 2014 3:01 am Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2014
Summertime heat
First visit to the Ventana on a low 90's degree day. Made the hike a lot tougher, but made it up and down in about 7 hours. The trail was really overgrown in places! Trip report is HERE.
mengbo - Jan 12, 2014 12:14 am Date Climbed: Jan 11, 2014
day hike with Jean
day hike with jean and we camped at nearby campground for the previous night. we also met Lisa who led the SPS trip on the trail.
McCannster - Dec 28, 2013 8:57 pm Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2013
27th CA Co HP
Super warm winter day, but still a little snow lingered near the top. Awesome views. 5 hr 45 min ctc, with a nice little stroll over to Pt. 5642 added for good measure.
As has been said the trail is in serious need of brushing, my bare shins got pretty beat up. But it was a nice hike, nice warm day and good views. I rode my motorcycle up Nacimiento Road from Hwy 1 and then hiked up from Santa Lucia trailhead. Up in 2:44 and down in 2:19, not bad for an old man! Quite a peak, it is on 20 lists on Peakbagger.com!
Jonodo - Dec 22, 2011 11:59 am Date Climbed: Dec 19, 2011
Santa Lucia Trail
Finally made it on my 3rd attempt. The first we didn't even get to the trailhead as Del Venturi Road was closed. The second was in a large storm where high winds and rain forced me to turnaround 200 feet from the summit. The trail need some trimming. The last half mile is pretty hard to follow and leads to some bushwacking. The views are great and the Indians area is really awesome.
thexcat - Dec 6, 2011 12:55 pm Date Climbed: Nov 19, 2011
Santa Lucia Trail
Excellent hike though lots of brush on the trail. Fabulous summit views atop the rickety tower. With PG.
LincolnB - May 15, 2011 10:48 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 2011
Trail overgrown
The last 1.5 miles of the trail was badly overgrown -- had to push my way through the chaparral, 2-7 feet high. Fresh snow the night before didn't help. Otherwise a great climb. Surprised this isn't better maintained -- it's the highest point in Big Sur. Slept in my car the night before near the trailhead at Santa Lucia Memorial Park -- 8 campsites, no fee, only two other sites were taken. Stream crossings on the way in were surprisingly deep but my Explorer went thru fine. FYI, you drive around Fort Hunter Liggett on the way in -- but not through the main gate; the old gate is no longer manned.
mpjones - Jan 22, 2011 8:17 pm Date Climbed: Jan 22, 2011
Del Venturi Rd. creek crossings closed
I thought three solid weeks of sunshine would mean low creeks and passable roads, but I was wrong. Del Venturi Rd. was gated at the first creek crossing, which looked to be about 80 feet wide and 1 or 2 feet deep. The lesson: call ahead for conditions before driving three hours to a place that might not be open. Fort Hunter Liggett road conditions: (831) 386-3866. According to a 1/4/11 press release on their website, the road will likely remain closed through spring.
A couple info sources give an alternate route for when the creek is closed. Basically, you continue north on Mission Rd. (take the road to the right of the one that goes to the mission) until you reach Milpitas Rd., then go west until Milpitas meets up with the standard access route.
I followed this alternate for a little over a mile, but there were two signs warning that this was a training area and access requires a permit. The signs were small and faded (in fact, I only noticed the first one as I was leaving) but I decided not to take my chances with the U.S. military. This route does seem to check out in Google Earth, ie, you could probably get away with it.
JillianV - Jan 10, 2011 7:44 pm Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2011
Beautiful Hike!!
Our first attempt was unsuccessful as snow had covered the trail to the summit & weather was not permitting. But on our second attempt with the Peak Climbing chapter of the Sierra Club, we made it! It was a blast. It was a treat to have about 2 feet of snow on the backside of the mountain..making it a nice challenge to reach the top. The trail can be difficult to spot towards to end due to fallen trees. All in all, it was gorgeous out there. I would love to see all the wildflowers in the Spring as well..Happy trails!
David Naylor - Jul 27, 2010 1:28 am Date Climbed: May 9, 2010
Birthday Hike
Smell of lupines everpresent for most of the drive to the trailhead and lush fields of this fragrant flower growing in the valley and lower elevations. Wonderful views! Spring here is awesome!
Photos: http://www.meetup.com/Wildcat-Adventure-Club/photos/915579/
Wheelbarrow - Mar 20, 2024 1:58 am Date Climbed: Dec 11, 2020
Cool hike through at least 3 different biomesThis might be the most underrated hike in Big Sur.
Domtron - Oct 12, 2022 6:23 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2021
BushwhackingThis was a tough trail to follow and I needed All Trails. Bring a machete because you'll need to bushwhack. Slow going and didn't summit with a slower trail mate.
edouet - Apr 21, 2019 8:29 pm Date Climbed: Apr 21, 2019
Easter 2019 hikeBeautiful day on Easter Sunday; chilly in the morning (34F), but soon warmed up. Still a very decent flow in all creeks, and plenty of amazing flowers carpeting the meadows. Somebody maintained the trail yesterday I guess, due to the amount of broken twigs on the ground. The trail was clear, but still overgrown though, long sleeves and trousers are advised.
kevinlr5 - Jul 3, 2017 12:58 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2017
Summer hike~7 hours RT from Memorial Park. Temps were mild early on, but in the 90s by the time we finished. The last mile before the summit is completely overgrown.
Fletch - May 24, 2017 1:12 am Date Climbed: May 23, 2017
94 is too hotI got crushed in the heat. I left at 3pm, so I guess I deserve it. Turned around at +/- 4,500 ft. Back at the car at 7pm, it still read 88. Fuck me.
Came back in December and got it. Much more enjoyable. 6:30 RT. Minor bushwhacking at the top. Machete might have helped.
orbitor - Mar 27, 2017 3:27 pm Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2014
Via Santa Lucia TrailStandard route, one tricky spot navigation wise. Views only towards the east due to clouds, there was a bit of snow just below the summit on the north aspect.
Will Newcomb - Aug 22, 2016 1:25 am Date Climbed: Apr 24, 2016
Santa Lucia TrailHiked on a beautiful spring morning with Evan Escher, Chris Escher, and Paul Trevisan. Wearing long pants was extremely beneficial, as the unkempt trail nearing the summit becomes standard bushwhacking. The views from the summit are killer though and the surrounding Ventana Wilderness/the Indians are quite impressive.
gordonye - Jul 8, 2016 3:05 am Date Climbed: Nov 28, 2014
Standard routeHiked with Mike Chen from Santa Lucia Memorial Park on a freezing day.
trexkerry - Jun 8, 2014 3:01 am Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2014
Summertime heatFirst visit to the Ventana on a low 90's degree day. Made the hike a lot tougher, but made it up and down in about 7 hours. The trail was really overgrown in places! Trip report is HERE.
mengbo - Jan 12, 2014 12:14 am Date Climbed: Jan 11, 2014
day hike with Jeanday hike with jean and we camped at nearby campground for the previous night. we also met Lisa who led the SPS trip on the trail.
McCannster - Dec 28, 2013 8:57 pm Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2013
27th CA Co HPSuper warm winter day, but still a little snow lingered near the top. Awesome views. 5 hr 45 min ctc, with a nice little stroll over to Pt. 5642 added for good measure.
youngclimer123 - Apr 28, 2013 12:34 pm Date Climbed: Apr 6, 2013
tons of ticspicked 8 tics off me on that hike.anyways hike was great!and dont forget that the tower is not the top!
soslaw - Oct 17, 2012 5:09 pm Date Climbed: Oct 14, 2012
Santa Lucia TrailNice views of the Ventana Wilderness to the west and distant view of the Sierras to the east.
Vic Hanson - Jul 8, 2012 7:54 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2012
Brushy!As has been said the trail is in serious need of brushing, my bare shins got pretty beat up. But it was a nice hike, nice warm day and good views. I rode my motorcycle up Nacimiento Road from Hwy 1 and then hiked up from Santa Lucia trailhead. Up in 2:44 and down in 2:19, not bad for an old man! Quite a peak, it is on 20 lists on Peakbagger.com!
Jonodo - Dec 22, 2011 11:59 am Date Climbed: Dec 19, 2011
Santa Lucia TrailFinally made it on my 3rd attempt. The first we didn't even get to the trailhead as Del Venturi Road was closed. The second was in a large storm where high winds and rain forced me to turnaround 200 feet from the summit. The trail need some trimming. The last half mile is pretty hard to follow and leads to some bushwacking. The views are great and the Indians area is really awesome.
thexcat - Dec 6, 2011 12:55 pm Date Climbed: Nov 19, 2011
Santa Lucia TrailExcellent hike though lots of brush on the trail. Fabulous summit views atop the rickety tower. With PG.
LincolnB - May 15, 2011 10:48 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 2011
Trail overgrownThe last 1.5 miles of the trail was badly overgrown -- had to push my way through the chaparral, 2-7 feet high. Fresh snow the night before didn't help. Otherwise a great climb. Surprised this isn't better maintained -- it's the highest point in Big Sur. Slept in my car the night before near the trailhead at Santa Lucia Memorial Park -- 8 campsites, no fee, only two other sites were taken. Stream crossings on the way in were surprisingly deep but my Explorer went thru fine. FYI, you drive around Fort Hunter Liggett on the way in -- but not through the main gate; the old gate is no longer manned.
mpjones - Jan 22, 2011 8:17 pm Date Climbed: Jan 22, 2011
Del Venturi Rd. creek crossings closedI thought three solid weeks of sunshine would mean low creeks and passable roads, but I was wrong. Del Venturi Rd. was gated at the first creek crossing, which looked to be about 80 feet wide and 1 or 2 feet deep. The lesson: call ahead for conditions before driving three hours to a place that might not be open. Fort Hunter Liggett road conditions: (831) 386-3866. According to a 1/4/11 press release on their website, the road will likely remain closed through spring.
A couple info sources give an alternate route for when the creek is closed. Basically, you continue north on Mission Rd. (take the road to the right of the one that goes to the mission) until you reach Milpitas Rd., then go west until Milpitas meets up with the standard access route.
I followed this alternate for a little over a mile, but there were two signs warning that this was a training area and access requires a permit. The signs were small and faded (in fact, I only noticed the first one as I was leaving) but I decided not to take my chances with the U.S. military. This route does seem to check out in Google Earth, ie, you could probably get away with it.
JillianV - Jan 10, 2011 7:44 pm Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2011
Beautiful Hike!!Our first attempt was unsuccessful as snow had covered the trail to the summit & weather was not permitting. But on our second attempt with the Peak Climbing chapter of the Sierra Club, we made it! It was a blast. It was a treat to have about 2 feet of snow on the backside of the mountain..making it a nice challenge to reach the top. The trail can be difficult to spot towards to end due to fallen trees. All in all, it was gorgeous out there. I would love to see all the wildflowers in the Spring as well..Happy trails!
David Naylor - Jul 27, 2010 1:28 am Date Climbed: May 9, 2010
Birthday HikeSmell of lupines everpresent for most of the drive to the trailhead and lush fields of this fragrant flower growing in the valley and lower elevations. Wonderful views! Spring here is awesome!
Photos: http://www.meetup.com/Wildcat-Adventure-Club/photos/915579/