Stone Ridge / Cone Peak
December 26-28, 2003

This was a 3-day solo trip in the southwestern area of the Ventana Wilderness.


Day 1: 10.7 miles, 3300' gain
--
Started out from Highway 1 near Kirk Creek campground, pretty much near sea level.
The 2000' climb to Vicente Flat camp was gorgeous as usual, passing through grassland, 
redwood forest, and mixed oak woodland.  Fantastic coastal views presented themselves.
The summit of Cone Peak was clothed in a veil of snow from the storms of the last 
few days, and the rushing water in the base of Hare Canyon made for a dramatic effect
as the trail hugged incredibly steep hillsides.  There was plenty of water at the camp,
where overwintering ladybug beetles clumped on stalks and stems in the shade.  Weather
was chilly but sunny.

From there I hiked up along the opposing wall of the canyon on the Stone Ridge trail,
and was treated to more fantastic views as I ascended to the divide between Hare and
Middle Fork Limekiln creeks, and then descended again.  Gathering clouds blew down 
from the coast ridge and dropped a chilly light rain, then dissipated.  

The Stone Ridge trail gets far less use, and it shows - trail tread was narrower and 
the blowdowns were larger.  However, this has a way of guaranteeing a greater degree 
of solitude.  Ascending again from the redwoods near the creek crossing there were 
charming spaces with open oak woodland and grassland.

Back up and over another divide, I devoured more coastal views and contoured along
the West Fork Limekiln canyon to Goat Camp, set on an overlook above redwoods.  
Water was in great supply on either side of the camp.  The night was probably 
in the low 30's, clear and cold.  Stars came out accompanied by a quarter moon.


Day 2: 9.3 miles, 3000' gain
--
The frosty morning dawned slowly, and I started fairly late.  The steep ascent 
to Ojito saddle was warmed by mid-morning sun.  By contrast the section of the Gamboa
trail from the saddle to Trail Spring camp was chilly and mostly shaded, being mostly
on north-facing slopes, and some snow remained.  Oaks gave way to sugar pine,
Coulter pine and Santa Lucia fir.  By the time I arrived at Trail Spring, it was 
nearing noon, but still quite cold.  I found a sunny spot a bit up the trail 
to have a snack, and then packed out some of the garbage left by careless travelers.

The steep trail from the camp up to Cone Peak was mostly in the cold shade, and
had about a half-inch to an inch of snow.  While huffing up the switchbacks I saw 
tracks of deer, birds, rabbits, and a bobcat, or maybe the resident mountain lion.
It was a strange sight to see sword ferns laced with snow.  This magical experience 
culminated at the junction with the summit trail, and several sets of bootprints
led up to the lookout.

Atop the summit (5155') there was about an inch or two of the white stuff
remaining.  The gleaming sea set against the snow-covered trees made for
an impressive juxtaposition.  Nearby high points had also received snow,
notably Junipero Serra Peak, about 800' higher.  It was a fantastic sight.

I made my way down to Cone Peak Road, and then descended on the San Antonio
trail to Fresno camp, through some thick brush and over various deadfalls,
just to see how things were.  I cooked dinner hastily and jumped into my 
sleeping bag to brave a cold night amid the sycamores and bays.


Day 3: 8.9 miles, 1300'
--
During the night the temps probably dipped into the high 20's - various containers
of water I'd set out contained ice, though were not frozen solid.  Mist rose from
the rushing creek, feeding a hard frost.

After the temperature warmed a bit, I packed my gear quickly and made record time 
back up to Cone Peak Road, where I stopped for a while to remove layers and savor 
the sunlight.  The next leg of the journey was to descend Hare Canyon on the upper
Vicente Flat trail.  Frost and frozen soil were visible at the upper elevations. 
Back at the redwoods of the camp, I headed back the way I came, and enjoyed 
the return hike.

By the time I arrived back at the mouth of the canyon in the early afternoon, 
it looked as though the snow had melted from the face of Cone Peak.  The day was 
warming nicely, though clouds were gathering to the north, a harbinger of the next 
winter storm.