Pine Ridge

There are multiple river crossings are required to access Sykes Hot Springs on the Pine Ridge trail (regardless of which trailhead visitors use). During the winter, these crossings can be impossible due to high water levels and dangerous river flow. Sykes Hot Springs may not be accessible during or after periods of heavy rainfall. Visitors are encouraged to stop by or call the Big Sur Multi-Agency Visitor Center for information on the trail conditions.

Pine Ridge Trail connects the Big Sur Station with Tassajara Road at China Camp travelling through the chaparral and a cover of redwoods, pine and oak. This trail is the gateway to the Big Sur River corridor, with its many beautiful campsites in the Ventana Wilderness including, Terrace Creek, Barlow Flat, Redwood and Sykes.

Completely traversing the Ventana Wilderness from 5,000-foot-high Chews Ridge to Big Sur Station, the Pine Ridge is the most popular trail in the Ventana Region. Built in 1916 by the Post family of Big Sur, the Pine Ridge Trail offers hikers and equestrians a complete array of backcountry camps to enjoy.

The western half has streamside and redwood-shaded Terrace Creek, Barlow, Sykes and Redwood Camps, while the eastern portion of the trail offers montane conifer and mixed hardwood forested ridges and meadows at Pine Ridge, Divide and Pine Valley camps.

With the dedicated and secure parking area at Big Sur Station Visitor Center, the western Pine Ridge trailhead there is the wilderness entry point of choice for many backcountry travelers. While many use it for access to the beautiful riverside camps along the wild and scenic Big Sur River, it also makes possible a number of outstanding loop trips in the Ventana Wilderness.

The hike up the Pine Ridge Trail into the Ventana Wilderness is strenuous and challenging even for experienced hikers. Elevation gains and losses are considerable, and trees often fall across the trail making passage difficult in some areas. Be prepared to make several river crossings to reach the backcountry campsites. The Pine Ridge Trail also makes for invigorating out-and-back day hikes for visitors not wanting to camp overnight.

There are five camps located along the Pine Ridge Trail in the 12 miles of trail between the Big Sur Station and Redwood Camp. Barlow Flat Camp has the most room and Sykes Camp is most heavily used. Campsite occupancy numbers are posted and cannot be exceeded for health and safety reasons. It is expected that visitors will respect these occupancy limits and continue along the trail until an available campsite is located. Hikers should consider the lesser-used Barlow Flat and Redwood Camps. There is currently no reservation system for campsites so the earlier you arrive and begin your hike, the better your chances for securing a spot.

Dogs are allowed on the Pine Ridge Trail.

Dogs on Wilderness Trails:

• Leash your dog around packers, horses, and stock animals.

• Bury dog waste 100’ from water or trail.

• Keep your dog in your tent at night.

• Dogs must always be under leash or voice control.

Maintain control of your dog at all times. Ensure your dog is a good steward of the land and respects other visitors. We appreciate you following the guidelines above so all visitors to Los Padres National Forest have a safe and enjoyable trip.

This wilderness was established in 1978 by the Endangered American Wilderness Act, first addition was in 1978 by the Endangered American Wilderness Act, second addition in 1992 by the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act. On December 19, 2002 the Big Sur Wilderness and Conservation Act of 2002 added 33,967 acres to the existing wilderness bringing it to a total of 240, 026 acres. Topography of the Ventana Wilderness is characterized by steep-sided, sharp-crested ridges separating V-shaped youthful valleys. Most streams fall rapidly through narrow, vertical-walled canyons flowing on bedrock or a veneer of boulders. Waterfalls, deep pools and thermal springs are found along major streams. Elevations range from 600 feet, where the Big Sur River leaves the Wilderness, to about 5,750 feet at the Wilderness boundary circumventing Junipero Serra Peak. Marked vegetation changes occur within the Wilderness. These changes are attributed to dramatic climate and topographic variations coupled with an extensive fire history. Much of the damage to vegetation is only temporary, since fire is an integral part of this Wilderness as it is of other areas of the Forest. Much of the Ventana is covered by chaparral. This brushy vegetative cover is typical of that found throughout Southern California fire susceptible mountains. The contrast of annual grass meadows and open pine stands may be found throughout the Wilderness. Deep narrow canyons cut by the fast moving Big and Little Sur Rivers support virgin stands of coastal redwood. Small scattered stands of the endemic Bristlecone Fir may be found on rocky slopes.