Big Sur and Pine Ridge Trail

When I lived on the Monterey Peninsula the Pine Ridge Trail into the Ventana Wilderness was one of my favorite hikes to quickly get to a remote area. A downside is that trail access is easy, Big Sur is popular, and California trails are notoriously crowded. That means that on weekends, when the weather is good, there will be others on the trail with you. If you have the gear and are willing to brave winter weather the trail could be yours alone.



One recent December I had a weekend without plans and decided to head to Big Sur for a solo hike and camp in Ventana Wilderness. As it turned out, a cold front was predicted to move through on Friday night, with rain, wind, and a drop in temperature. My philosophy with weather is summed up by explorer Ranulph Fiennes who reportedly said, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." Admittedly, winter in Big Sur is not severe, but I did pack my winter sleeping bag and an extra fleece layer.



I arrived at Big Sur Station in mid-afternoon, packed up, and started to hike in. There were about a dozen younger folks hiking out with dogs, guitars, and ukuleles – I guessed that I had missed a good party. My goal was Barlow Flats which was seven miles in but... Continue reading... 

California's Meeting of Land & Sea

This may be where the phrase  "California Beautiful" was coined, or at least it should be...

Drive along California's Highway 1 for any distance past the sleepy beach town of Moro Rock and you quickly realize why the California Central Coast pulls thousands of visitors from around the world.  On one side, the road winds along rugged coast with gorgeous expansive scenic views, and on the other, it bends past rolling fields and jagged mountains.  Every car turnout has a worthwhile vista; there's high cliffs covered with colorful ice-plant, whales, seals, dolphins and otters in the ocean waters, and birds gliding in cool breezes of fresh salty air.  The climate is mild, excellent for trails to be accessed year round.  And, there are numerous hiking trails up into the hills and down to the sea coves and beaches.

XplorMor Big Sur Expedition

Places of interest along the coast are numerous, and may be accessed from easy walks to lengthy climbing trails.  In fact visitors spend anywhere from four days to two weeks, and still find they haven't had enough time to see it all.  There is Lover's Point, a large rock formation protruding into Monterey Bay, only a short distance from parking.  Or for the more adventurous, the Pine Ridge Trail in Los Padres National Forest leads into the Ventana Wilderness and Santa Lucia Mountains with access to rivers, waterfalls and thermal springs. There are stands of rare, endemic Santa Lucia Firs visible at higher elevations.

Point Lobos is also a popular destination offering hiking trails along its shoreline that lead to hidden coves.  (Note: Get there early as parking is limited and this California State Natural Reserve is well known.  Also, make sure to adhere to parking signs as I watched a ranger leave tickets on unsuspecting windshields.  Really this applies to the entire coast.)  There is also Andrew Molera State Park with hikes winding along the Big Sur River, and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park with groves of Colonial Redwood Trees.  Nearby is Pfeiffer Beach with a wonderful stone arch in the sea, excellent for photographs, especially at sunset.

Continue reading California's Meeting of Land and Sea...

XplorMor Big Sur Expedition