Skillet
Adventurer
We headed down to the Los Padres Forest behind Fort Hunter Liggett over the weekend. Springtime back there is very colorful and there are many critters out and about.
For those of you unfamiliar with this area, it is a section of Los Padres NF that is fairly well protected from "riff raff" due to the fact that the only ways in or out are either an 18 mile dirt road via mountain bike or 20+ miles of paved road, most of which are ********** dab in the middle of a huge military base.
In order to enter, you must go through the military check point at one of the two gates and provide DL, proof of insurance and current registration.
Not a big deal but it eliminates most of the less responsible individuals who may be coming back for less savory reasons than to simply enjoy the place.
It is a very clean and natural place on the Arroyo Seco river among the many other tributary creeks and ponds. Spring is best with lots of grass, wildflowers and running water. It can get VERY hot and dry in the middle of summer. Good campgrounds or you can rough camp with a campfire permit in one of many undeveloped sites.
There are many great hiking trails that go along the creeks, up into the Santa Lucia range and all over the meadows.
We got in via the Jolon Road entrance about 5:30pm on Friday night and luckily got my favorite (secret) campsite right on Carrizo Creek.
Saturday saw a 6 mile round trip hike to Madrone camp along the Arroyo Seco river.
Sunday saw a day long drive and exploration via Nacimiento-Ferguson Road which is the other entrance/exit to the base. Very nice ride, up and over the ridge. We drove along Cone Peak road for some nice views.
Nacimiento-Ferguson pops out just south of Lucia on Highway 1.
We headed north and finished the trip off with a hike to the 100 foot falls and lime kilns along Limekiln Creek. This is a beautiful state park with many redwood groves and great history.
Here are some pics of all the good times and here is a link to a map of the general area http://www.calwild.org/photos/content/cc/ventanamap2b.jpg
Hope you enjoy.
For those of you unfamiliar with this area, it is a section of Los Padres NF that is fairly well protected from "riff raff" due to the fact that the only ways in or out are either an 18 mile dirt road via mountain bike or 20+ miles of paved road, most of which are ********** dab in the middle of a huge military base.
In order to enter, you must go through the military check point at one of the two gates and provide DL, proof of insurance and current registration.
Not a big deal but it eliminates most of the less responsible individuals who may be coming back for less savory reasons than to simply enjoy the place.
It is a very clean and natural place on the Arroyo Seco river among the many other tributary creeks and ponds. Spring is best with lots of grass, wildflowers and running water. It can get VERY hot and dry in the middle of summer. Good campgrounds or you can rough camp with a campfire permit in one of many undeveloped sites.
There are many great hiking trails that go along the creeks, up into the Santa Lucia range and all over the meadows.
We got in via the Jolon Road entrance about 5:30pm on Friday night and luckily got my favorite (secret) campsite right on Carrizo Creek.
Saturday saw a 6 mile round trip hike to Madrone camp along the Arroyo Seco river.
Sunday saw a day long drive and exploration via Nacimiento-Ferguson Road which is the other entrance/exit to the base. Very nice ride, up and over the ridge. We drove along Cone Peak road for some nice views.
Nacimiento-Ferguson pops out just south of Lucia on Highway 1.
We headed north and finished the trip off with a hike to the 100 foot falls and lime kilns along Limekiln Creek. This is a beautiful state park with many redwood groves and great history.
Here are some pics of all the good times and here is a link to a map of the general area http://www.calwild.org/photos/content/cc/ventanamap2b.jpg
Hope you enjoy.
