Hi Sam, those sound like good plans. That's a smart idea to ensure you have permission from the ranger (s). You would probably need to contact the main Los Padres NF office and talk to them, They then may refer you to a ranger most familiar with the Big Caliente area. I'm not sure if there is a full time ranger at the Pendola station on the way to Big C. Anyway, it's well worth looking into. All of this won't matter much if the road down the mountain from Divide Peak is still closed, which I assume it still is due to the latest rains. Maybe it'll open up in a few weeks if things dry out. The Los Prietos Ranger Station can update the road status at 805-967-3481 x0. Thanks rfor the work you've done at Big C. so far! Paul
