|
|
||
|
|
||
|
Connecting Salinas Valley and Big Sur is a little known road of about one hour’s drive through a stimulating swatch of San Antonio Valley, Los Padres National Forest and Ventana Wilderness. |
||
|
|||
|
There are some spectacular trails accessed by this road. Among these are the Santa Lucia and Junipero Serra Peak (which is called Pemkolam by Ventana Wilderness enthusiasts, and the Salinan Indians who named the peak) trails, moderate walks through lovely little Alpine like valleys that were settings for Salinan Indian villages. It is a relatively wet area, with bogs and several streams. |
The Navy intended to establish a jet fighter bombing range here: Details
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
After 15 miles you cross a bridge over a deep woodsy stream, and begin a windy ascent to the Santa Lucia Mountain Range crest. |
A quarter of a mile farther brings you to the unpaved Coast Ridge Road. To the north it becomes Cone Peak Road, and pursues the lofty landmark. To the south, Coast Ridge Road laboriously winds its way through canyons and along ridges to the southern reaches of Big Sur. |
|
|
|
First sighting of the Pacific is from the road, looking over Mill Creek Canyon. Up the south slopes grow Redwoods and Cedars. The north slopes get much more sun, less precipitation from fog, and are swabbed in grasses and wildflowers. A redwood canyon immerses on the north side to accommodate Kirk Creek. The two pristine creeks are part of a vast watershed system on the Pacific side. |
|
|
View from Nacimiento Road. Fog streams into the Mill Creek Canyon and feeds the hardwood forests. |
Coastal EcoTraveler and his Dog Rincon and his dog, Nashua, travel Nacimiento Road in an unusual way. For his story, and a bigger photo, go to What’s This Like?
|
|
•••••••••••• Beautifully
told history of the Monterey Bay natives by Lois
Robin – a
CD The
Butterfly
Center at Santa Cruz Park Friends.
Books from the online Park Store. See the Monarch
Miracle in the Natural Bridges Sanctuary. Or, at the Monarch
Sanctuary in Pacific Grove
Best of California’s
Central Coast –
Approved to benefit
Pelican Affinity Partners, the community-based non
profits who help the arts and environment.
The
Sea to Jolon
Classic tale from
California Coast
Trails by J.
Smearton Chase is published in the Ventana
Wilderness Alliance
website.
Nacimiento Road offers glimpses to the magic of the Santa
Lucia Coastal Range. Our Lord’s Candle, a yucca from the
Northern Mexican deserts found a home along the western
slopes. The Nacimiento North Fork (right) after the ’99
fire, explodes with Lupines.
|
Become a member of PelicanNetwork
Click in the map at the left |
|
|
An arts and nature guide to an infinitely interesting region. Pelican takes the conscientious traveler behind the cover and into the natural and cultural history that makes Central Coastal California so exciting. Coming here soon: regional art crafts, community theater, galleries, events for arts and/or environment, regional cuisine and organic foods and flowers.
|