Exploring Big Sur

I was down in Big Sur this weekend, taking advantage of the rare coastal sunshine. The trails at Andrew Molera State Park offer some of the best hiking in the region. Dan and I decided to push ourselves and do an 8 mile loop, starting at the river, following the bluffs and ascending over a steep (seemingly vertical) ridge.

After we made it around some families and a pack of mutinously slow pack horses, we were all alone. The waves crashed over the rocks to the right of us, as we followed the coastline for miles. The Big Sur Lighthouse loomed behind us, and the ridges of the Ventura Wilderness beckoned us forward. About three miles later, we came to the cut-off for the Spring Trail, which led down to the beach. Piles of driftwood, laid out like steps, led to rocky shore.

The getting there was so pleasant, that instead of continuing the loop we decided to follow the same path back. A group of six hikers decided to picnic in the shade of an oak, in the middle of the narrow trail. We were forced to go around, brushing against poison oak. (Dan, who wore shorts, is still itching...) Too bad, because if the group had been more patient (and considerate) they would have reached a much better picnic spot on the bluffs along the ridge.
We finished the hike, and celebrated with sand dabs and beers at Phil's Fishmarket.

See it for yourself:
Andrew Molera is 20 miles south of Carmel along Highway 1. Parking is $8. The park is home to both California condors and Monarch butterflies.