Big Sur - China Camp to Los Padres Dam - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Big Sur - China Camp to Los Padres Dam
Country:	United States
State:	California
Nearby Town:	Carmel Valley
Rating:
Directions:	From Carmel Valley, continue east on Carmel Valley Road and take a right on Tassajara Rd. Take Cachagua Rd to Nason Rd to Los Padres Dam and leave one car here; backtrack and continue along Tassajara Rd to China Camp, which is about 8 mi from where Tassajara Rd turns to gravel. Note that Tassajara Road might be impassable in wet weather.
Total Hike Distance:	20.00 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Moderate to Difficult
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	One-Way, Shuttle Hike
Hike Starts:	Pine Ridge Trail, China Camp Trailhead
Hike Ends:	Carmel River Trailhead at Los Padres Dam
Trails Used:	Pine Ridge Trail, Church Creek Trail, Carmel River Trail
Backcountry Campsites:	Yes
Backcountry Water Sources:	Streams, Rivers
Management:	U.S. Forest Service
Contact Information:	Permits required for campfires. US Forest Service Monterey Ranger District 831-385-5434
Best Season:	Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Users:	Hikers
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads, Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads, Unmaintained Gravel or Dirt Roads
Hike Summary:	Take the Pine Ridge trail to a junction with the Church Creek Trail, which will lead you to Pine Valley. Bypass the Valley's overused camping area and hike out past Jack English's cabin, stopping if he's outside to introduce yourself and hear his story. From the cabin to Hiding Camp is only four miles, but it could be several hours before you emerge at the campsite, bloody and exhausted. Depending on how recently the trail was maintained, you could experience route-finding difficulties, sections of extreme bushwhacking, and numerous blowdowns and washouts obstructing the trail. The brush is thick and prickly, and poison oak abounts, so long pants (and even gloves) are a must. By now you've earned a good night's sleep at Hiding Camp, and the lovely trail that awaits you in the morning will be worth the day's efforts. From Hiding Camp, follow the Carmel River all the way to Los Padres Dam, crossing and re-crossing the river some 30 times. Depending on the season and your preference, these can be either wet or dry crossings, but if you choose to hike in river sandals, be aware of the near-constant presence of poison oak. The ~20-mile trail is mostly downhill, although there are a couple of uphill stretches near both trailheads, which is where the best views are found as well. I don't think I would hike this trail again, but it certainly was exhausting, exhilarating, epic, unforgettable, and in retrospect, lots of fun! If you hike here, earn major karma points by bringing a pair of hedge clippers for on-the-fly trail maintenance.