Any one out in BPL land hiking in the Ventana Wilderness area? My trips are usually 2-3 days on weekends ranging in mileage, usually 10-20 miles per day at a fairly fast pace. It would be rad to hike with a fellow bpl'r!
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Any Ultra-lighters hiking in the Ventana Wilderness?
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I just got back from a few days in Pine Valley. My trips vary, depending on whether my boys 8 & 5) join me. I've tried a few loops, and some of the trails are brutal (bushwhacking plus general ruggedness).
Ventana ought to have a bumper crop of poison oak this year.
–B.G.–
The occasional trip sees us up in the Ventana and/or Silver Peak Wilderness areas, although we mainly stick to the southern half of Los Padres closer to home for us.
Lots of beautiful areas up there if you can tolerate/avoid the PO and bushwhacking.
There's a few others on here that regularly visit that area.
Yes, this area has some insane poison oak, and for sure a bumper crop this year!. Since almost all of my hiking experience is in the ventana/silver peak wilderness I have learned how to deal with it, and once you do its not so bad. And yeah if you can tolerate the PO and bushwhacking there are some amazing spots! If any one wants to plan a trip please PM me! Although I just sprained my ankle so I will be taking a break from hiking for a few weeks. =(
Nico- Dutra flats is one of my favorite areas!
I am absolutely obsessed with the Ventana Wilderness. But I only hike off trail there. Sometimes it can get rough, a little sketchy, and very bushwacky but there are some amazing places.
You owe it to yourself to do the cross country route from Botchers Gap to "The Window" (the large notch in the ridge that connects Kandlbinder to the Ventana Double cone). It's a classic route and most of the people who used to do it are either dead or very old. It's kind of forgotten. This route isn't too bushwhacky, mostly it involves vaulting over hundreds of fallen logs and wading through streams.
Here is a photo album from our trip up there: http://imgur.com/a/ult6z
The best way to navigate off trail is along the streams. Just pick a stream and follow it, maybe you will find something cool up there – a waterfall, a slot canyon, huge log jam, beautiful sandy beach next to a swimming pool, maybe even a secret hot spring.
That place can kick your ass and force you to abandon your route, but the challenges and failures combined with the amazing rewards are what makes me love the place so much.
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