Читать книгу 101 Hikes in Northern California. Exploring Mountains, Valleys, and Seashore онлайн

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Hiking Time 6–10 hours

Recommended Maps A Guide to Ventana & Silver Peak Wilderness by the US Forest Service, Big Sur and Ventana Wilderness by Wilderness Press, USGS 7.5-min. Cone Peak and Lopez Pointi

Best Times Year-round

Agency Ventana Wilderness, Los Padres National Forest

EXTREME TOPOGRAPHY defines the coastal flanks of Cone Peak, where soaring ridges and chasmic valleys crease the mountainside. The area is also known for its exceptional bio-diversity, from wildflower-painted grasslands to yucca-studded chaparral, fluttering oak woodland to towering old-growth redwood forest. And don’t forget the sweeping ocean views, which look out for miles across a glittering aquamarine sea.

The Hike ascends nearly 2,000 feet above the wave-swept coast and then traverses inland to reach Vicente Flat along redwood-lined Hare Creek. Open terrain allows dramatic coastal and canyon vistas as the trail initially climbs the grassy slopes, then heads inland through an increasingly lush forest to reach Vicente Flat, which offers campsites in a sun-drenched meadow or beneath old-growth trees. Spring welcomes a profusion of wildflowers to the otherwise golden slopes. Summer brings view-shrouding fog and the majority of visiting hikers. At other times of the year, you may have the trail entirely to yourself. Water is available near the trailhead in adjacent Kirk Creek Campground.