Cone Peak Area Series #13-Valley to Sky (and Back) (~14 miles, ~4,000')

COVER PIC: Mile-high Cone Peak (and Twin Peak to its left) viewed from Highway 1 near Pacific Valley

This hike is rated "EXTREMELY DIFFICULT" due to distance, elevation gain and steep and offtrail nature of parts of the route.

This is a Limited Space Event (~12 participants), if interested RSVP to the Waitlist.

On Memorial Day Weekend '15, we did the memorable and never repeated "Valley to Sky to Sea" hike from the San Antonio Valley up to mile-high Cone Peak and then down to the ocean at Limekiln State Park.
On the ninth anniversary of that trek, let's do half of that by hiking to and from Cone Peak (where, due to fire and rain and resultant trail damage and road closures, I have not been since the last Cone Peak Series hike way back in December '17!)

THE ROUTE: We'll take the Carrizo Trail from the San Antonio River up to Carrizo Springs Camp and the rocky saddle above it, through the infamous "Brush Bowl" (where we may have to push through some brush) and a beautiful forest of Sugar Pines to the NCRT, which we'll then follow to the turnoff to the unmarked Cone Peak North Ridge track. We'll jump up onto that and follow the knife-edge north ridge of Cone Peak to the summit, where we'll stop to take in the views and enjoy a relaxing lunch. We'll then turn around and go back the way we came.

This hike provides incredible views of most of the iconic Big Sur Peaks (including Junipero Serra Peak just across the San Antonio Valley) and of the coast and ocean.

MEETING TIME: 8:30am

MEETING PLACE: On Indians Road at the Road 6 Junction (from which we'll drive a mile down to the trailhead at the bridge across the San Antonio River).

RAIN will reschedule.

RSVP: This is a waitlisted event and will be limited to a total of about 12 participants, so RSVP to the waitlist. I must know you to be a strong, seasoned hiker able to maintain a moderate pace over distance and on steep and sometimes treacherous terrain, and you must be comfortable with the trail conditions described above. I will check in (via Meetup messages) with those who sign up with whom I haven't hiked previously before adding them. Also, this is a group hike--we start together, stay together as a group through the entire hike, and come out together.

Bring:

• Sturdy hiking shoes or boots with good tread
• Layered clothing for protection against wind and cool temperatures
• Sun protection (hat/sunscreen)
• Water (2-3 liters)
• Lunch (and other food/snacks for extra fuel) (we are going to stop for a leisurely lunch on Cone Peak)
• Trekking poles are strongly advised for the steep up and down sections

A Couple of Requests:

• Don't Be A No Show - if you can't make it, please remove your name from the attendee list in advance of the start time (there's no cell service at trailhead)
• Know Your Own Capabilities - Please don't sign up for a hike that is beyond the limits of your health & conditioning. This is not fair to others who expect to enjoy the hike at the level it was described.

RESPONSIBILITY: “The Monterey Bay Area Hiking Group” of Meetup.com (“MBAHG”) and its event/assistant organizers (the "Organizers") are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. MBAHG doesn't certify the expertise of the Organizers. The Organizers in this Meetup.com group are volunteers. Neither MBAHG nor the Organizers make any representation or warranties about the quality, safety, or supervision of this activity. You are responsible for yourself and your own safety and assume all risks associated with the applicable activity. By signing up for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the foregoing and to the release set forth in Section 6 of the Meetup Terms of Service (and you specifically agree that such release applies to MBAHG and the Organizer(s) of this event) and you expressly release MBAHG and the Organizers from ANY responsibility, liability or claim in law or in equity in connection with this event."