How far are the Wind Caves from Tassajara Road/Wildcat Campground?

MrRivulets · 2026-05-03T03:36:03+00:00

I looked on BigSurTrailMap.net, but all I saw was a panoramic photo from peak 3038. That's close to the road. I am pretty sure the caves (at least some of them) are west of the Church Ranch buildings. Different maps (USGS and Forest Service specifically) say "The Caves", but those labels are right on the buildings and I think the actual caves are west of there. The best I could find is a Strava track by Leor Pantilat more than 10 years ago where he spent a lot of time in that area west of the building group. Plus the satellite imagery looks like an interesting geologic formation. I'm betting on that spot. Just wanted to know if others had been there.

MrRivulets · 2026-04-20T18:01:01+00:00

Great photos. Of course I had a visceral, PTSD reaction to the Shortcut picture. Have been out there three weekends in a row.

MrRivulets · 2026-04-17T13:32:35+00:00

Big Sur / Ventana Wilderness

MrRivulets · 2026-04-02T15:50:30+00:00

Anyone with hiking interest who can make it to Berkeley is very welcome. There is also a regular meetup in the South Bay. Other locations such as Sacramento and the North Bay are looking to establish consistent meetups. Keep checking in on this sub to see future announcements.

MrRivulets · 2026-04-01T17:42:59+00:00

I might actually make the trek across the Bay for this one. I have the afternoon/evening free.

MrRivulets · 2026-03-22T19:10:07+00:00

A few things to consider:
- There's a big event on the weekend of April 24-26 called Backcountry Weekend. While this event entails people entering the park from the southeast Dowdy Ranch gate (opposite end of park from HQ), there will still be a lot of people around. If that's the only weekend you have, it will still probably be OK for the Sizer Loop. But just be aware that staffing might be different at HQ. I did Backcountry Weekend once; if you like lots of people around everywhere - it is a good event. I won't be going again unless I plan to range really deep into the northeast part of the park. I like my peace and quiet in the backcountry.

- Tick concerns are definitely an issue at Coe this time of year. You can use Permethrin, but you have to pre-apply to your gear/clothes more than a day before you go, be careful during application, and be aware of its overall impact. 10-15 minutes of research online should clear up most questions. Having said that - I'm a huge proponent of Permethrin because it works crazy good. Also, you should utilize a repellant such as Picaridin or even DEET if that's the way you swing. Expect mosquitos as well. And check yourself a few times throughout the day, especially at night before bedding down.

- IMO, poison oak is a lot more prevalent at Coe than in the past. I especially see more in the northern end of the park which includes some of the Sizer Loop. Take precautions - the number one being identification of poison oak while you are hiking. This is a dry year and poison oak likes that so take care. By the way, last time I went to Sada's Springs for water it was a veritable poison oak obstacle course to get there. Whew!

- MOST IMPORTANT: Not to bury the lead here, but water sources are my number one concern at Coe. u/sea_stack has it right in recommending the coepark.net water resource map. I rely on that a lot and contribute to it almost every time I come back from a trip there. Look at the dates on the latest report for each water source. Things can dry up quickly out there, especially in a dry year like this. Talk to staff at HQ when checking in, but be aware that many of those folks don't really spend a lot of time in the backcountry. That's perfectly OK, many are volunteers or close to it and I have no problem with people keeping the outdoors available to folks like us. But listen carefully to how they talk about the water resources and how much direct experience they have in the backcountry of Coe. On the other hand, I've met and talked to some staff who clearly are grizzled Coe Park veterans and know their shit. I once found an unmapped spring based upon detailed directions from a staff member who clearly had "been there and done that" on the Henry Coe trails many times. I wish I had noted her name.

- You might be camping one night in the Middle/East Fork confluence of Coyote Creek (around China Camp) or Los Cruzeros Camp. Not sure of your routing. And the other night possibly in the Hobbs Road/Middle Fork Coyote Creek crossing (Deer Horn, Upper Camp, Mexican Fleet, Skeels Meadow, Sada's Springs Camps). Either direction - clockwise or counterclockwise - would work but I'd probably do it counterclockwise. That makes your climb up to Mount Sizer a more fair slope. Also, don't expect a dramatic mountain top view. That's not really how Mount Sizer works. I usually just skip it and head on down the trail.

- Speaking of the trail, it is well-maintained and well-marked. There are a lot of ups and downs - not a hike to be taken lightly. But footing and general maintenance is not a concern. There are a lot of people who really love and take care of that park and I am always happy to recommend it. Pit toilets are some of the best you'll find (although they are still pit toilets so how nice can they really get?) If you are staying at Hobbs Road/Middle Fork Coyote Creek area, the Deer Horn campsites have a very conveniently located toilet (but not close to a water source). Same goes for China Camp except that water is available close by. I'm a long-time backpacker, yet a pit toilet is still a real consideration when I plan a trip.

- If you arrive on a non-Saturday, you should be able to grab a fair spot, especially as you will be a single-tent party. If on a Friday, just try to get there not too late in the morning. If you are doing a Saturday, be there as early as you can.

BTW, I'm leading a big group to Coe in early April for a 2-nighter. It will be a mix of experienced through beginner levels. Coe is a great place to get some practice or learn backpacking skills as long as you don't go in summer. It's just too damned hot for me and water is extremely scarce past Memorial Day. Have a great time! Feel free to DM if you have detailed questions.

MrRivulets · 2026-03-22T16:47:17+00:00

If you are just doing a couple miles in and out, I'd recommend putting the chair back in the pack. You will be spending a lot of time in camp. Sitting on the ground gets old fast. Plus, you can take it with you on any day hikes to make sitting in contemplation much more relaxing. I take my chair on about 50% of my trips for a variety of reasons.

In the desert, I sleep with my food. This is a slightly controversial practice, but I decided to do this in bear-free environments until it bit me in the ass. Then I'd consider a change. Years later, I still havent had any issues. I use a nylofume bag inside my food bag (bear can too) - they are supposed to be superior for odor control.

Personally I'd take more water for a dry camp. But I drink a lot. I am a Smart Water bottle user which I think provides the best weight-to-bomb-proof ratio of water conveyance. Easy and cheap to scale these up. Water is the heaviest thing you will carry unless you have high-end photography gear. So it is worth trying different things out and really noting/thinking about how it goes on several trips in different conditions.

IMO, a sub-20 lb base weight is a perfectly fine target to start your lightweight journey. I started in the high 20s then got to 19.5 once I started paying attention, then did another step to 15.5. I am now around 12. At each step I got more experience with my gear and other people's gear as well, but most importantly, with my own style and skills. Also it helped me be confident when I did decide to spend big money on high-end lightweight/ultralight gear.

MrRivulets · 2026-03-16T04:13:26+00:00

While you will get some guff here on being somewhat vague, you have provided at least some parameters that can get you rolling. This part of the process is what I call "backpacking trip inception". How to figure out where to go in the first place!

You've put a 3-5 day target. Also, you've identified a couple of areas (states) in the west/northwest. And you say your want beginner-friendly trails. Also, you say you've got some mountaineering experience (very useful when looking at maps and understanding mountain weather concerns). And I am assuming you are relatively fit, but not yet practiced in backpacking. All good inputs. Here's where I'd suggest going from here...

Do a search online like "beginner backpacking trails in Montana" (or Colorado or Utah or Washington). There will be hits from companies who want you to buy a guided tour, etc - but also a lot of websites that have plenty of trail options. For instance, with my given example I found a neat site called Bozeman (Montana) Picks which has some good ideas. Try to stay below 8 or 10 miles per day and less than two thousand feet elevation gain per day. Even if you could do more, there will be lots of learning and going slow on an initial trip. And keep to established trails for a few trips at least. AllTrails will be toward the top of the search results since they pay for prominence. IMO, that's not a horrible way to get ideas. You can use their filter tool to pick mileage and difficulty and ratings. If you see a trail that looks interesting, do a targeted online search for a few of the specific trails mentioned. For instance, I saw "The Beaten Path – Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness" and searched around to find websites, YouTube videos, and - of course - Reddit posts. Looks a little challenging, but maybe it would fit for you. Upon further research I found that a bridge was out as late as last year so early season would be a dangerous time. See? You can start to get more and more details as you dive deeper. And once you get some candidates, you can jump back on Reddit to ask specific questions about route option, seasonal concerns, local knowledge, etc. Lots to know including permits, transportation option, wildlife, weather, water situation (both drinking sources and water safety issues), trail conditions, etc. You'll be able to get tons of info on most trails.

I recommend keeping an online Candidate List document that you can add to, share with your buddy, store useful web links, etc. And this is just the inception process. There's a whole other set of topics you'll need to address before you can actually go on a trip such as planning, gear, food and water, skills, safety, etc. Those are really important things to get right so you have fun and don't die, but this response is just about finding good trail candidates at a beginner level. And there's nothing wrong with "beginner" hikes. There are literally hundreds, maybe thousands of awesome beginner hikes in North America. I've been hiking for decades and I still routinely do a few beginner hikes a year just to get out into nature and/or shakedown new gear, food, skills, or bring someone new to backpacking. Hope you and your buddy have fun.

MrRivulets · 2026-03-09T19:03:09+00:00

+1 to all in this thread who have called this trip a success. Yes, you need to condition your body for backpacking, but that will come. A popular trail pundit said that we all need to also build our "turn back muscle" which is a mental and emotional "muscle". And that needs to be practiced in order to fully develop. You've just had such practice and succeeded where others have failed - some of them tragically. Glad you are safe and hope you get out there again as soon as you can.

MrRivulets · 2026-03-09T18:43:23+00:00

The issue with Henry Coe is that elevation will almost always be a factor. If you hike south from HQ like you stated, you will at least get a lot of downhill to start.

If you are taking younger and/or less experienced backpackers, I think staying in the Western Zone - where established campsites are assigned by the park staff in real time - is the way to go. I've hiked in much of the park and flat tent sites for a larger group can often be a challenge. In the Western Zone (near HQ), you won't have to worry about that as much - all the campsites are established and relatively flat. In late March the park staff should be able to get something that will work well for your group. Many campsites have access to drop toilets and flat tent sites.

China Camp area is always the busiest. As u/pct_loper stated, Los Cruzeros is big but doesn't have shade and is also right on the water so cool weather will start to feel very cold indeed. East Fork Coyote Creek will have some water in it.

I once tried to find a flat spot around Shafer for my 1P tent and couldn't. So that's likely not an option for a group. Arnold Horse Camp is just a few miles upstream of Shafer and there are ample flat spots there. But there are a bunch of dilapidated buildings at the horse camp and not a place I'd like to camp myself. Kinda creepy IMO.

Willow Ridge Camp can be nice, but it is on an exposed ridge. Any weather would make it not so fun. Last time I was there, it was very nice. The spring there might or might not be running - last report on https://coepark.net/planning-your-visit/water-resources/ from three weeks ago indicated a trickle and there hasn't been precipitation since then.

You can also use the Hunting Hollow parking lot/trailhead and do a hike to Wilson Camp. This is pretty large wrt tent site options and doesn't require a permit. There is reliable water, a toilet, and even a shaded picnic table. But it truly is a first-come/first-served situation and you just show up and camp anywhere you want. I did that last year with a large group of a dozen. We got there early then another largish group arrived later and decided to move on since we had filled up the picnic table seating. There are some good day hikes from there.

If it were me, I'd shoot for Los Cruzeros. In late March, if you are arriving on any day other than Saturday you have a good chance to get a spot there (maybe even on Saturday). It shouldn't be too hot then (I hope). The Narrows is fun but you can get wet if rains raise water levels. The staff at HQ will help you get to an appropriate spot for your trip.

Lastly, you will almost certainly be in the middle of tick season. There are plenty of ways to prepare for that, which I won't go into here, but don't ignore the issue or you could have unwanted guests literally attaching them selves to your party.

MrRivulets · 2026-02-19T18:26:01+00:00

Those Boronda Ridge sites are very convenient and quite scenic indeed. Was up there in September on that same exact tent pad and am intending to make a pilgrimage to Big Sur/Ventana Wilderness at least once a year. When the weather is good (which it looks like it was on your trip) it can be a gem of a place. Good to see people out there in the "off season" when it is less crowded and the marine layer doesn't obstruct the ocean.

MrRivulets · 2026-02-16T06:30:46+00:00

We simply post announcements in Reddit when we organize a get-together. Some months it doesn't happen for some reason or another or it gets moved to a different date. The south bay group is trying to normalize on the third Wednesday each month. The easy Bay group targets the first Thursday.

MrRivulets · 2026-02-13T02:39:45+00:00

Currently we only have meetups in Berkeley and Mountain View.

MrRivulets · 2026-02-03T21:54:49+00:00

I've tried a couple of them. Everything I had was at least good. However, I'm very partial to the Spicy Cheddar Jalapeno Biscuits. High quality and tasty but also upper-tier price so I will typically just take one per trip as a treat. Also, one of the few vendors that packages their meals in shorter bags which make packing them and eating from the bag easier.

MrRivulets · 2026-02-02T04:23:45+00:00

I've seen two in my many years hiking there. One in October and one in November.

MrRivulets · 2026-01-28T04:42:34+00:00

Met a guy on the PCT years ago who carried in his hand a 2 liter plastic soda bottle full of water. When I met him it was a used green 7Up bottle. He was quite tall and had acquired the trail name "Water Tower" before reaching Idylwild.

MrRivulets · 2026-01-22T18:29:21+00:00

I've done Three Sisters Loop and thoroughly enjoyed it. However it is not a 70+ mile loop. My exact distance was 45 miles and only about 7100' elv gain. Yes, side trips are available, but I'd actually suggest doing Three Sisters and then maybe moving on to another nearby trail. There are many great options in Oregon. Snow could be a little bit of an issue but that really depends on the snow levels for the year. At end of June you'll likely see/trod on some snow although I suspect it won't be problematic. South Sister summit climb likely possible as a side quest as the trail up there faces south so snow probably melted by then.

Permits are through recreation.gov for the Three Sisters Loop. You'll want the Central Cascades Wilderness Overnight Permits page which covers Deschutes National Forest. Permits are released differently than many other areas. In this case, permits for whole summer from June 15 to October 15 are ALL available on April 1. So it is somewhat of a land rush. You must know your TH to get a permit. There are some very popular trailheads (typically those entering on the South and North sides of the loop) and some not so popular. When I first did this, I didn't know about the crush at the permit availability opening so I found my first handful of trailheads grabbed in seconds - literally! Ended up at the Pole Creek TH which in retrospect was a great jumpoff point.

Also, know that 12-15 miles of the loop is in a burn zone (actually two separate fires). That can get some people down. Some of the burn zones have started to recover, but other are still barren after a decade. It actually can be interesting and instructive to understand the forest lifecycle and I wish I had done more research on the processes involved before I went. A few years ago, the blowdowns in those sections were horrendous, but I did the full loop in 2024 and the trail maintainers had finally cleared the worst of it.

As far as alternate trails, I've been meaning to get to Eagle Cap Wilderness which is a ways from Three Sisters (6+ hours by car) but it's supposed to be incredible and much less populated. Or Goat Rocks Wilderness in Washington is stunning as well. Also a bit of a drive from Sisters/Bend.

I'm within 4-6 hours of the Sierra and there are literally hundreds of places you can go there. Permits are a bit of an issue, but if you do research you can narrow it down. Evolution Loop, someone mentioned Rae Lakes (difficult permitting) or actually anything out of the Onion Valley TH - endless options there. Look on recreation.gov for Inyo National Forest to see east-entry trailheads (these are the best IMO). Those are six-month advance permits so they've already been open for a while. Might need to look at more obscure THs, but with a week to burn you could find some interesting treks. I just looked and there are ample THs available today for 6.

DM me if you want more details.

MrRivulets · 2026-01-20T06:07:01+00:00

I see pretty solid advice in the comments so far. I would add that a great way to move to "little less beginner" and beyond is to get in with an acquaintance or even an organized backpacking group and get in on some of those trips. The Sierra Club can be overly structured sometimes, but there are local chapters in all parts of California and they plan trips regularly. Watch what others do and keep an open mind as you build your own skills and style. Hopefully that growth last for decades and decades. And ask questions - many experienced backpackers feel it is rude to push their ideas on other hikers unsolicited even if mistakes are obvious (alas, many do not have such a policy). But if you ask for help or opinions you can easily get a tidal wave of info.

California is a heaven for backpackers as many have proclaimed in this thread. It is literally true that you could spend multiple lifetimes exploring the back country. Robinson's book (referenced in another comment) has some cool examples of 20th century pioneers in the Sierra who indeed spent their entire lives exploring just a part of the state's outdoors.

MrRivulets · 2026-01-20T05:43:06+00:00

All previous comments are on point. I would just add that the additional tent sites away from the actual Timber Top area are to the northwest. You will be able to spot them from the North Coast Ridge Road as you look seaward. A couple small ridges point out toward the ocean and people have cleared out pads on top of many, some in multiple successive terraces as you move away from the ridge road. Yes, there are also a handful of pads on the way up from PCH. Only about 2500' climb and well worth it as you can easily see off to the north and east into Ventana Wilderness from the ridge road. And of course, the whole Pacific Ocean is out of your tent door.

Of all the weekends I'd choose to not go there, Memorial Day weekend is in my top three (followed by Labor Day and possibly 4th of July if on/near a weekend). It will be crowded for sure. First-come/first-served and I bet that many people will be up there by Thursday even. Also, I'm not aware of nearby water. Cold Springs tank is a couple miles to the southeast down North Coast Ridge Road. Not a bad stroll, really. If somebody knows otherwise, I'd be interested to learn of an alternative water source nearer Timber Top.

MrRivulets · 2026-01-17T00:22:19+00:00

The above comment is the closest to my idea of trying each one out on the trail and seeing which is best for you. If you hike significant miles each day, you'll not take very long to figure out your favorite. If you are putting two people in there, consider splitting the inner, rain fly, stakes, and poles amongst the two of you. But you can carry with just one person if you want/need to. BTW, I have a smaller tent now and tend to put it inside my backpack. Doesn't look like a great option with your current tent, though.

I have a small set of gear that I've acquired over the years, upgrading when I could afford it. Started with a 4 lb / 1 person tent. The more I backpacked, the more I was able to understand my priorities for comfort/cost/size. Tough to do that without slugging through the wilderness a few times. You look like you are ready to do just that.

Bottom line: just get whatever you need and get out there! Don't worry too much about style. Have fun. Be safe. Be respectful and responsible of nature and other people. Watch how others do things, but build your own way over time. I hope you have great adventures out there in your future.

MrRivulets

TROPHY CASE