Body found near hot springs in Big Sur wilderness
Authorities were investigating a suspicious death after locating a body in the Big Sur wilderness on Thursday night.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a body seen near Sykes Hot Springs in the Ventana Wilderness area of Los Padres National Forest inland of Big Sur on Thursday, according to a news release.
Deputies responded to the area with the assistance of CHP’s H-70 helicopter and were able to locate the body, the release said.
Authorities were actively working to recover the body Friday morning, the Sheriff’s Office said, but weather conditions were making the effort challenging.
Sykes Hot Springs is located on the Big Sur River, accessed via a 10-mile hike on the Pine Ridge Trail.
The Sheriff’s Office said there was not an active threat to members of the public recreating in the area, but the recovery effort did result in one trail closure.
The Pine Ridge Trail was closed to hikers entering the area from Big Sur Station, the release said. Members of the public returning to Big Sur Station would be allowed to access their cars via the trail.
“California State Parks rangers are on site to prevent the public from entry,” the release said. “We also ask the public to be aware of the current adverse weather conditions and consider staying away.”
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office was investigating the incident as a suspicious death, the release said. Further information was not available.
This story was originally published April 10, 2026 at 1:30 PM.
