Big Sur: Day 2

   At 6am in the Fernwood campground there was a low laying fog on the ground and the sun was starting to peak through the trees.  I slowly got out of my extremely warm sleeping bag and left Sarah to catch a few more z's.

Before I continue, I have to point out that the Starbucks instant coffee has to be my favorite camping item.  It ready when the hot water is, there is no clean up, and it tastes delicious black.  SO, after packing up the car, a couple cups of coffee, and a  bowl of blueberry oatmeal, we were off to Andrew Molera State Park.


The hike we set out to do was called the Andrew Molera Loop.  The 8.8 mile loop takes you along the Bluffs, Panorama, and Ridge trails with lots of ascents and descents.  We started off in the parking lot of Molera SP and found the trail. We were instantly greeted with a river crossing, without any bridges in sight. It was a chilly morning, probably in the 40s.  Neither of us had waterproof shoes on, so I took off my shoes and socks and had Sarah jump on my back. Then across the river we trekked.  Let me tell you, I don't recommend crossing a river barefoot in the middle of winter at 8am.  IT WAS FREAKING COLD!  That didn't stop Sarah (who was nice and warm and hanging on my back) from laughing all the way across.  The first part of the trail takes you to a secluded beach with a great view of the coast line.  From there you travel across the bluffs and through some amazing wildlife.

We happend to get really close to a fawn and got to watch it eat breakfast.

Fawn

After you get to a bench, the turn around spot, you head back along the ridge of Molera SP through a canopy of redwoods.  It's truly an amazing hike so make sure to bring your camera and plan lots of time.

Halfway!

The Panorama Trail

As we headed back to LA Sarah made me pull off on the side of the road right before the Hearst Castle.  There laying across the beach, like hundreds of giant slugs, were elephant seals bathing in the sun.  These guys are huge!!!  It's really cool to watch them interact with each other, grunt, and flip sand on their backs.

After all the adventures we were exhausted, so we started the loooong drive back to LA.

Big Sur, CA - Day 1

For the Thanksgiving weekend, Sarah and I were off to Northern California to visit family and devour mass quantities of food.  On our way back home we decided to spend a night camping in Big Sur.  Coming from Monterey, we drove down highway 1 stopping at look out points all along the way.  The drive is so beautiful that you feel like your in another world.

The campground we ended up choosing was called Fernwood.  Its a privately owned campground off the 1 that also has cabins you can rent.  As you drive down the road to the camp spot your surrounded by huge redwoods and the sound of a gentle creek.  Since there were so many trees, it seem like it stayed a little cooler in the campgrounds.  Sarah and I quickly set up our camp and got ready to get a hike or two in before sunset.

McWay Creek cascading into the ocean

We headed down to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to do a small hike called the McWay Waterfall Trail.  Its extremely easy hike and you are rewarded with a view of McWay Creek cascading into the ocean.  It's a spectacular site.  Dont forget to check out Big Sur's Coast line on the north side of the viewing area.  It's just as spectacular.

Big Sur's coast line

At the main parking area there are 2 more hiking trails you can explore.  The Ewoldsen Trail is a 4.5 mile loop full of old redwood forests and ocean views.  When we were there this trail was closed, but I have heard you can still hike it.  The other trail is called Canyon trail and is a great short hike with some  creek crossings up to a waterfall.



        

Sunset

After the short hike we headed up north and had coffee at Big Sur Coast Gallery Cafe.  It's located off highway 1 with an amazing view of the ocean.  As it was getting close to sunset we decided to get a better view and headed off to find a place to watch the sunset.

Sarah painting with light

We found a great area to take some photos of the sunset then headed back to camp for some dinner and a camp fire.

Check out more photos of the trip here!!