May 25, 2014 -- Hiking in BigSur
Pfeiffer BigSur state park is only about 80 miles from home. On the spur of the moment, without too much thought we decided to just go for a drive. There was no thought of hikes. We had a couple of water bottles with us and a bag with some apples and fruit bars.
The day was very pleasant. The temperature was around 75 F, and very bright. Not a cloud in the sky. Left home around 9:30 AM, which was pretty late for a 2 hour drive, but then we did not know where the park was! After a delightful drive on CA Highway 1, we hit the gateway to the park around 11:45 AM. By then of course we had to stop for lunch -- couple of sandwiches later we were well fortified for an afternoon of adventure and fun.
This beautiful park features redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples, aiders, and willows. It is on the coast and the drive down south on CA 1 is wonderful twisting and curving drive along the Pacific coast. Given that this is possibly the 1st week of summer, the park was crowded. We had to drive to the last parking lot for a parking space.
The park is dominated by the BigSur river. We followed the Gorge Trail, where the original homestead established by John Pfeiffer (after whom the park is names) has been re-constructed. The trail leads into the Valley View trail and ends at the Pfeiffer Falls. The valley views of the mountains on the easter side are spectacular. Looking at the green mountains you would never guess that California is suffering from its worst drought in nearly a century. The waterfall itself was loud, and lovely. There was a stream of water flowing over the falls. We were left wondering how the falls would look when it is in full flow, if not for the drought. We were told by a ranger that a mountain lion was sighted in the park earlier that day but we were not able to see anything among the thick foliage.
BigSur river empties itself into the Pacific about 5 miles downstream. After about 3 hours of hiking up and down the trails we called it quits and decided to follow the river to the ocean. A 10 minute drive and there we were at the beech where salt water and fresh water meet!. The sound of the waves hitting the headlands and the rocky coast line was a sight to behold. The waters of the blue Pacific were still cold. Given the crowd in the park, we were ready for a crowded beech, but surprisingly it was empty. It was very windy and Kala's hat was blown away. We spent a merry hour at the beech just gazing at the birds riding the waves, wading in the waters of the BigSur river and enjoying the antics of a toddler trying to walk in the river waters. Given the drought, the river water was only ankle deep and the fresh water was quite warm compared to the ocean water.
BigSur, another of the hiking areas we need to visit more often.....
This beautiful park features redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples, aiders, and willows. It is on the coast and the drive down south on CA 1 is wonderful twisting and curving drive along the Pacific coast. Given that this is possibly the 1st week of summer, the park was crowded. We had to drive to the last parking lot for a parking space.
The park is dominated by the BigSur river. We followed the Gorge Trail, where the original homestead established by John Pfeiffer (after whom the park is names) has been re-constructed. The trail leads into the Valley View trail and ends at the Pfeiffer Falls. The valley views of the mountains on the easter side are spectacular. Looking at the green mountains you would never guess that California is suffering from its worst drought in nearly a century. The waterfall itself was loud, and lovely. There was a stream of water flowing over the falls. We were left wondering how the falls would look when it is in full flow, if not for the drought. We were told by a ranger that a mountain lion was sighted in the park earlier that day but we were not able to see anything among the thick foliage.BigSur river empties itself into the Pacific about 5 miles downstream. After about 3 hours of hiking up and down the trails we called it quits and decided to follow the river to the ocean. A 10 minute drive and there we were at the beech where salt water and fresh water meet!. The sound of the waves hitting the headlands and the rocky coast line was a sight to behold. The waters of the blue Pacific were still cold. Given the crowd in the park, we were ready for a crowded beech, but surprisingly it was empty. It was very windy and Kala's hat was blown away. We spent a merry hour at the beech just gazing at the birds riding the waves, wading in the waters of the BigSur river and enjoying the antics of a toddler trying to walk in the river waters. Given the drought, the river water was only ankle deep and the fresh water was quite warm compared to the ocean water.
BigSur, another of the hiking areas we need to visit more often.....
