Views from the ridge above China Camp
Two years ago I did my first backpack in Ventana Wilderness, a quick overnighter to Pine Valley. The weather was horrendous, so I vowed to return when the weather was nice. The waterfall would be particularly inviting on a hot day so I jumped at the chance for a return trip during hotter weather.
I’ll spare the details of the hike since you can find them in my previous trip report. The only thing I have to add is that the plants are finally growing thick again after several years of fire recovery. The blissfully poison oak free hike I experienced two years ago was not the case this time. It was back and growing over the trail in several locations. So beware – the issue that has kept me out of Ventana for years will once again likely keep me from visiting indefinitely.
Since the weather was lovely this time I actually was able to take several pictures. Check out the full album (51 shots) here, or scroll for some highlights. That waterfall is mighty nice. I’ll keep reminding myself how nice it was as I wait to see if I break out in a poison oak rash in the next 48 hours…
Style:
In and Out backpack on trail. Optional short off-trail hike to Pine Falls from Pine Valley.
Distance:
12.6 miles round trip including side trip to falls.
Elevation Gain:
+/- 3150 ft
Trailhead and Permit Notes:
There are no permits required for backpacking, but if you plan on using a stove or having a fire, you need a California National Forest campfire permit. Please observe fire regulations – this is a highly flammable area that has seen its share of preventable wildfires.
The road to the trailhead (Tassajara Road) is unpaved and long. Although the two times I have driven in here have been passable for passenger cars, I understand that the conditions can deteriorate particularly after a stormy winter and may take a while to repair. It would be in your best interest to research road conditions ahead of time.
Camping Tips:
If you want to get an early start, you can car camp the night before your hike at the China Camp campground near the trailhead. First-come, first-served sites are available for a small fee. Pine Valley is long and narrow, and there are a few camp areas scattered along the valley floor. This is a busy area, so I recommend going in the off season, on a week day, or arrive early to have your choice of spots. There are no campsites near the waterfall.
Useful Guides and Gear:
Good luck, I managed to avoid Poison Oak on my trip to Pine Valley the first weekend of May. The final descent to the waterfall is definitely more climbing than I remember from several years ago, guess that gully washed out further.
Cali, have you experienced the Oakening yet? Hopefully, there will be only one.
Not yet! But I need a good 48 hours until I declare myself clear. I did bathe in copious amounts of Technu when I got home, so hopefully that caught anything that I didn’t avoid on the trail.
We did this hike about 2 months ago and barely ran into any poison on the trail up to the waterfall at all!
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