Trailhead: the end of Palo Colorado Rd. Take Hwy 1 south from Carmel, and (after about 20 kms) turn left into Palo Colorado Rd (just after Rocky Point Rd). The road is paved but very narrow and winding. The campground is at the very end. There is a fee ($12 in 2008) to camp. The trailhead is *not* the very visible fire road (usually gated) but the trail that leads to the walk-in campsites. During the day it's very easy to spot the sign "Skinner Ridge Trail".

The trail gains elevation very quickly to reach a summit with the first views of the wilderness on the northern side. The Ventana Double Cone is actually visible almost from the beginning to the southwest. From this summit the trail descends a bit and starts the toughest climb of the day, to Devil's peak. The terrain here is completely different: rocky instead of foresty. This is also one of the few spots where shade is minimal. Then the trail descends again and rises a third time to a peak that summits near Pat Spring. A short detour to the right takes to a great spot to admire the Double Cone. THe trail is in excellent conditions until Puerto Suelo. The last seven kms are ad adventure in itself, and may take several hours to complete. Pat Springs should have water but i did not see any in june 2008.

• Bottchers Gap
• First summit (1h 15')
• Devil's Peak 6km (1h 50')
• Commings camp (2h 20')
• Big Pines junction (2h 45')
• Pat Spring summit (3h 15')
• Little Pines Camp 15km
• Puerto Suelo 17km
• Lone Pine Camp 22km
• Double Cone (1479 m) 24km