Post by toejam on Jun 19, 2017 8:39:51 GMT -8
A weekend available to de-stress in the hills, I changed into hiking clothes on the way out of work Friday, picked up a Subway BMT on flatbread, and parked where CA Highway 1 is closed at Ragged Point Inn. I've spent several weekends here in the last year because it's close and I can't get over the view.
Historically, residents of Monterey referred to the Big Sur area as the "south coast," although it's now north of about half the population of the state. When there I always feel the tragedy and romance of Robinson Jeffers and think if this cool old song:
The hills were decked in summer gold and the temperature climbed as I made my way inland. After two and a half hours I was at Dutra Camp and soaked with sweat. My only company was my ukulele and flies that were really interested in my ears. A great evening that lasted a long time was followed by one of the best star shows you'll see - no man-made light near this place.
The next day started early when the sound of mosquitos woke me, and I was on the trail before 7:00. I planned a 13 mile hike with big views and a nasty bushwhack. The first part went quickly and I had an early lunch at Lion Den Camp - a shady spot with views and water. Biting flies kept me from staying long, and I headed up Silver Peak. The trail follows an old road that gets fainter every year. One section is a hands & knees tunnel that's tough with a backpack. The road down the west side gets worse and leads to a little-used route that takes you to the meadows above the Buckeye Trail and camp. I'd researched this and had a map. The final tunnel through the brush got so tight I had to take my pack off. Reaching the meadow, I found a shady spot to celebrate with gatorade. But my gatorade bottle and all but one of my hard candies had been lost in the battle with the brush.
Buckeye Camp was beautiful with a cool breeze. I adjusted the hose in the spring to improve the flow. The flies bit with vengeance and I couldn't relax. It wasn't yet 2:00 in the afternoon and I thought about sitting on the picnic table in my underwear playing ukulele at Dutra Camp the previous evening. I decided hiking another 9 miles was better than staying there fighting flies.
There's always a crowd at Salmon Creek Falls. Even with the highway closed there was a family parked and swimming in the creek. A couple of guys on motor cycles and a pickup also stopped by before I hiked out of sight. Spruce Creek Trail up to Dutra Flat is longer than its mileage indicates, with lots of blowdown and one sketchy washed-out place.
I had one of the best bandana baths ever at the Dutra Flat trough. It was a long sweaty day. The local mosquitos figured out this guy was camped there again, and I had dinner and ukulele wearing long sleeves, pants, and a head net. I put up the tent to escape them and slept off a long day.
The next morning was a quick hike on the Murry Mine Track, which I cleared earlier this year, then down the old County Line Road to the closed highway. Made it home in time for a brunch of my wife's cinnamon rolls.
The album is here - goo.gl/photos/LR2LcR7brR1Y6w3L6
Historically, residents of Monterey referred to the Big Sur area as the "south coast," although it's now north of about half the population of the state. When there I always feel the tragedy and romance of Robinson Jeffers and think if this cool old song:
The hills were decked in summer gold and the temperature climbed as I made my way inland. After two and a half hours I was at Dutra Camp and soaked with sweat. My only company was my ukulele and flies that were really interested in my ears. A great evening that lasted a long time was followed by one of the best star shows you'll see - no man-made light near this place.
The next day started early when the sound of mosquitos woke me, and I was on the trail before 7:00. I planned a 13 mile hike with big views and a nasty bushwhack. The first part went quickly and I had an early lunch at Lion Den Camp - a shady spot with views and water. Biting flies kept me from staying long, and I headed up Silver Peak. The trail follows an old road that gets fainter every year. One section is a hands & knees tunnel that's tough with a backpack. The road down the west side gets worse and leads to a little-used route that takes you to the meadows above the Buckeye Trail and camp. I'd researched this and had a map. The final tunnel through the brush got so tight I had to take my pack off. Reaching the meadow, I found a shady spot to celebrate with gatorade. But my gatorade bottle and all but one of my hard candies had been lost in the battle with the brush.
Buckeye Camp was beautiful with a cool breeze. I adjusted the hose in the spring to improve the flow. The flies bit with vengeance and I couldn't relax. It wasn't yet 2:00 in the afternoon and I thought about sitting on the picnic table in my underwear playing ukulele at Dutra Camp the previous evening. I decided hiking another 9 miles was better than staying there fighting flies.
There's always a crowd at Salmon Creek Falls. Even with the highway closed there was a family parked and swimming in the creek. A couple of guys on motor cycles and a pickup also stopped by before I hiked out of sight. Spruce Creek Trail up to Dutra Flat is longer than its mileage indicates, with lots of blowdown and one sketchy washed-out place.
I had one of the best bandana baths ever at the Dutra Flat trough. It was a long sweaty day. The local mosquitos figured out this guy was camped there again, and I had dinner and ukulele wearing long sleeves, pants, and a head net. I put up the tent to escape them and slept off a long day.
The next morning was a quick hike on the Murry Mine Track, which I cleared earlier this year, then down the old County Line Road to the closed highway. Made it home in time for a brunch of my wife's cinnamon rolls.
The album is here - goo.gl/photos/LR2LcR7brR1Y6w3L6
