Birthday Backpacking in the Ventana Wilderness: Sykes Hot Springs

   For my birthday last year (2013) I wanted to get away from civilization and spend some time with good people. I chose the epic Big Sur coast as my destination and found some popular hot springs that were within a reasonable distance for a three day trip.

   The day of our trip I wanted to get an early start; I was really excited to get there and my friend Christine would be joining me for her first backpacking experience, so I wanted to leave enough time to take it easy if necessary. After a 6 am start time we coasted into Carmel around 2 hours later and noticed that there were a massive amount of people blocking the 1, the only road to our destination. We had arrived just in time for the Big Sur Marathon! After some confusing directions from unhelpful traffic cops we discovered a waiting area for a convoy that would let us pass by while the marathon was still in progress. I was allowed a small amount of relief, but the lack of cellphone reception made me a little worried for my sister Erin, who was waiting for us on the other side of the marathon. As usual, it was alright in the end and we arrived at the trailhead an hour and a half later to see Erin waiting patiently in the parking lot. Now it was go time!

Emilio, Christine, myself, Sayyed and Erin ready to get going!

The first part of the hike in was a really steep uphill that was thankfully most in the shade. We were hiking in on Sunday so we were happy to see all the groups of fellow nature lovers on their way out.

A large burned out tree with Erin for scale. 

The boys setting the pace

View looking east towards a peak that we weren't getting anywhere close to :(

 

The creek crossings on this trip were some of the most fun and harrowing. Keeping your balance on a rotten redwood trunk with a 30lb bag on your back is not easy. Christine crossed that creek like a pro!

We made it to camp (5mi) fairly early and did our best to relax. Unfortunately spring time next to a wooded creek in California equals bug heaven and we were nearly driven crazy by the kamikaze bugs that attacked our faces. This trip later prompted Erin to give Sayyed an Xmas gift of a bug net hat. 

He was stoked (not kidding).

 The Ventana Wilderness is maintained by a group of volunteers who I am very thankful for because they really have their work cut out for them. Since this hike is so close to Santa Cruz it is a favorite of college students and just about anyone seeking nature. Thus, by consequence not everyone follows the rules of "leave no trace." There were lovely "toilets" at each campsite that were severely abused by the spring break crowds from the weeks before our trip; some of the campsites were littered with toilet paper. Beautiful redwoods with tp circling the base is one of the saddest sites I've ever seen. 

    After we set up camp and relaxed for a bit we decided to hike the 5 miles to the coveted Syke's hot springs, the real reason for our visit. 

 

Feelin' sassy in the heat

Erin showing us how it's done

 

 

Erin and Sayyed enjoying one of the three hot spring pools that were along the hillside above the creek. The other two were occupied by naked hippies. :)

The view above Sykes hotsprings

    Hiking out on our second and what would be our final day. 

Day Three: Representing Osprey!

The gang in action

Erin had to leave a day early so she hiked all the way out by herself while we hiked part of the way to spend the night in some cozy redwoods. I'm so lucky to have a sister who is willing to drive half way across California and brave bug bites and blisters to spend some time with me.

    We set up camp early and as we were cooking dinner, Sayyed accidentally spilled freshly boiled water on his foot. We didn't want to take any chances with infection since he is diabetic, so like seasoned pros we quickly packed up and hiked all the way back out. The moral of the story: don't wear water shoes when cooking dinner!

 

 It's hard to beat the beauty and diversity one can find in the Ventana Wilderness. Despite all the issues we ran into, I'm really glad I was able to experience such a magnificent place. 

Dates: 4/28/2013 - 4/30/2013

Location: Ventana Wilderness: Big Sur

Trail: Pine Ridge Trail

Distance: 20 miles

Lost Coast Backpacking

    In October of 2012, Erin decided she wanted to do a late season backpacking trip to the Lost Coast in Northern California. I jumped at the opportunity to visit such a mysteriously named and famously beautiful wilderness. Visions of walking shoeless on sandy beaches and relaxing by a warming campfire with no one around for miles floated through my mind. We decided to approach the Lost Coast from the very southern end, through the Sinkyone Wilderness, and make our way north.

 Obligatory pre-trip backpack photo

 Erin and I loaded up and ready to go!

 

 View looking south along the coastline

 

As it turns out the trail along the coast in the Sinkyone Wilderness is not actually on the beach but along a ridge. We were a little surprised at how strenuous the uphills along the ridges were, especially when followed by knee jarring downhills into the valleys. This process was trying when repeated an incalculable (not really, but it felt like it!) number of times.

 The only sign of fall in this lush Northern California coastal wonderland

 Some areas of the trail were poorly maintained and multiple times we were grateful for our hiking polls for saving us from a tumble to the ocean.

 Erin warming up on one of the many inclines with a beautiful view

 Making camp the first night. We were so tired that we were sure that we had made it the 7 odd miles in to a campsite marked on the questionable map we had. As we would find out the next day we had only made it about 5 miles in, but that left us with more time the next day to explore and enjoy the amazing scenery around us.

  On the second day we spent some time looking for a shortcut to some old growth redwoods that were marked on the previously mentioned marauders map (Harry Potter fans unite!). After a hasty retreat from what we were sure was a bear den we decided to stick to the trial and were soon rewarded with our intended campsite at Little Jackass Creek, and the gorgeous views it offered.

 So happy to be there

 The wildlife was mostly unfazed by our presence

 Sunset behind this fantastic arch close to our campsite

 Our third day, time to head home!

 Hiking above the fog is a magical experience

This trip ranks as one of my all time favorite experiences backpacking ever. A combination of idyllic scenery, relaxing seclusion (we only ran into one other group of people), my favorite backpacking partner, and the rewarding exertion to get there really made this an amazing memory.

Dates: 10/12/2012 - 10/14/2012
Location: Sinkyone Wilderness: Lost Coast Northern California
Trail: California Coastal Trail

Stinson Beach to Mount Tamalpais Day Hike

      I will be leading a trip up Mount Whitney (14,505ft) in a couple weeks and in an attempt to prepare ourselves, Sayyed and I hiked up the closest and tallest peak in our area. At a whopping 2,572ft Mount Tamalpais affords some of the best views of the bay area; which most of the time is a thick blanket of fog. Although you can technically drive to the top (it was tempting) we really needed to get our butts into gear.

    We started our hike at Stinson beach in a misty ravine along the Matt Davis Trail, emerged from the woods to golden rolling hills, traipsed along thick chaparral with taunting views of the peak, lunched in the sun about a mile from the top at the West Point Inn, and trudged along an unsightly fire road to finally make it to the windy summit about fours hours from our start time. The view was great but then it was the hard part, the hike down. We zoned out and hobbled back down the mountain only to go from sun and wind to fog and, well, more wind. Gotta love the bay area. Overall we hiked 17 miles in about 9 hours (with lots of breaks of course).

 Most of the tough uphill was during the first two miles.

Our first good view with the peak(to the left) at about 5miles in.

 

 2,571ft, it's a doozy

 The formidable looking ranger station at the top

 Trying not to get blown away

 View looking southwest

View of the bay. The Richmond Bridge is on the left and San Francisco is hiding under the fog to the right. The towns below are where all the rich people live. :)

  Back down into the fog

Although the hike was long there really wasn't much elevation change. Next week we'll really have to hit the trail hard to be prepared. Overall this wasn't my favorite hike but it was really pretty and a great accomplishment. On to the next mountain!!!

Date: 6/10/2014
Location: Mount Tamalpais State Park
Tails: Matt Davis Trail to fireroad