2025-07: Ponderosa Campground, Los Padres National Forest

Milestones

•  31st time camping in 31 months (SHOW ON MAP)
• 2nd time camping in Monterey county (SHOW 1ST)
• 2nd time facing a locked gate blocking my campsite (SHOW THE 1ST)

Personal Connection

21 years ago, my parents took me on a road trip along Highway 1. Half-way between Big Sur and San Simeon, we drove straight up the cliff along Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. My campsite was situated only 6 miles (as the crow flies) from the ocean, beside the same road we drove on. After driving through the forest, we entered US Army Garrison Fort Hunter-Liggett and visited Mission San Antonio de Padua. During this camping trip, I retraced some of those steps:

There is a museum at the mission, which we toured through. We also attended the mid-day mass.

I so enjoyed the road trip all those years ago, because we stayed at base housing, and went to the base theatre. The reason I know the date of our road trip is because we watched “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” which premiered in 2005, and all three of us thought it was awful. However before the movie started, the theatre played “The Star-Spangled Banner”. There was a mom with her three young boys. All four of them stood up, placed their hands over their hearts, and sang along with the music. It was a patriotic moment, and it was very touching.

Rugged Camping

After pulling into the campground, my specific campsite was blocked by a gate. I got out of my car to see if it just needed me to pull the gate open so I could drive-through. It was padlocked. This was the second time camping that I’ve been locked out of my campsite. It’s not a good feeling. I backed down the hill to a parking area with 5 campsites. 2 were reserved, 2 were open and 1 was closed due to a hazard from falling tree branches. Just as I was about to unload my gear, a forest ranger pulled up and I asked him if he would unlock the gate. He said the 20 campsites beyond the gate were closed do to unsafe conditions with tree branches. He graciously took my name, telephone number, and reservation details. He said he would “call it in”.

I took the campsite with the most shade. None of the water spigots worked (I always bring plenty of my own), the campground was in need of some maintenance and repair, and the bathroom (2 vault toilets) was up a steep incline, so I never got to use it. I will leave it up to your imagination what my solution was to that problem. Given all that… I called this experience a little more “rugged” than I prefer.

After setting up my tent and putting my stuff out on the picnic table, I decided to go around the locked gate, and explore the DANGEROUS/FORBIDDEN territory beyond.

It was actually quite beautiful…

After risking life/limb, I returned to my campsite, had snacks, relaxed and ate dinner. The temperature cooled off very nicely, and I slept well… serenaded by the sounds of a creek which flowed nearby:

Rugged Biking

My original plan was to ride my bike straight out of the campground, out to the Mission San Antonio, and return. The problem was how narrow the Nacimiento-Fergusson road became. On the Fort Hunter-Liggett property, the road was 2-full-lanes, middle stripe, long straight-aways, with a little shoulder. On the Los Padres National Forest property, the road was 1.5 lanes, very curvy, no middle stripe, and no shoulder. So overnight, I decided to start/end my bike ride at the Mission. I could ride as far as the good road lasted, and turn back when it got narrow. The temperature was in the high 70’s and the ride was gorgeous…

However, there were a few warning signs along the way… like this one that says, “DANGER, Explosive Hazard, Keep Out”

… or this sign… which tells me not to drive my heavy tank over the bridge…

… or this buzzard giving me the “stink-eye” while he eats a squirrel…

By the time I got back to my car (21 miles bike-riding), the heat was getting to me. My phone said it was 90F, but my car said it was 100F. It certainly felt like 100. Driving back along I-5, the car said it reached 105F. I was beat-tired when I got home.

Conclusion

All in all, I enjoyed the camping, biking and personal significance. I admit that it was a bit taxing, but anytime you go camping in July (and August) you have to count on a little suffering. The campsite was a bit rough around the edges… but I had the entire place to myself. That was an unexpected joy.

When I got home, I had an email telling me that my $50 camping fee was refunded because of the hazard closure. I guess my “rugged” perseverance was rewarded.