Chew’s Ridge and China Camp  (P, C)

This is the traditional county location for montane species.  A road to an abandoned fire lookout at the ridge and backcountry trails from China Camp into the Ventana Wilderness provide access to birds of oak/pine woodlands, mixed evergreen forest, and chaparral.  Don’t miss the May-June dawn chorus at China Camp!

Location:  Follow Carmel Valley Rd. east out of Carmel 24 mi. to Tassajara Rd., turn right and continue up Tassajara (pavement ends in 3 miles) for 9 miles to the saddle at Chew’s Ridge; China Camp is 1.5 mi. beyond the ridge.

Highlights:  mountain quail, flammulated owl, black-chinned sparrow, olive-sided flycatcher, poorwill, western tanager, solitary vireo.

Best season:  spring-summer.