“A very complete compilation that I would recommend to anyone interested in going to the Big Sur area.”
—Ada Babine
Chair of the Sierra Club’s Santa Barbara group & veteran Big Sur hiker
Hiking & Backpacking Big Sur
Your complete guide to the trails of Big Sur, Ventana Wilderness, & Silver Peak Wilderness
2nd EDITION 2013
Copyright © 2013 by Analise Elliot Heid
The poem “Hands,” by Robinson Jeffers, is copyrighted by Jeffers Literary Properties.
Front and back cover photos copyright © 2013 by Analise Elliot Heid
Interior photos by Analise Elliot Heid
Maps: Bart Wright, Fineline Maps
Cover design: Scott McGrew
Book design: Adapted by Annie Long
Book editor: Holly Cross
ISBN: 978-0-89997-727-0
eISBN: 978-0-89997-726-3
CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA IS AVAILABLE FROM THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
Manufactured in the United States of America
| Published by: | Wilderness PressKeen CommunicationsP.O. Box 43673Birmingham, AL 35243(800) 443-7227; FAX (205) [email protected]www.wildernesspress.com |
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used in reviews.
SAFETY NOTICE: Although Wilderness Press and the author have made every attempt to ensure that the information in this book is accurate at press time, they are not responsible for any loss, damage, injury, or inconvenience that may occur to anyone while using this book. You are responsible for your own safety and health while in the wilderness. The fact that a trail is described in this book does not mean that it will be safe for you. Be aware that trail conditions can change from day to day. Always check local conditions and know your own limitations.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
FOREMOST, I would like to thank Jeff Schaffer, author of Wilderness Press’s Hiking the Big Sur Country, which this book replaces. I drew upon his incredibly accurate mapping and trail descriptions in writing this book.
My parents are at the head of the list of acknowledgments. Their love and support has given me the confidence to live passionately and follow my dreams. To Craig, for making my first experiences in the backcountry filled with adventure and fun. To Heid, for countless hours spent listening and encouraging. To Matt, for guidance and inspiration to go for it. To Jannie, for your willingness to stand up for what you believe in. To Laurie and Chris, for your incredible generosity. To Briezer and Wickland, whom I can always count on for an adventure. To E, for many words of advice. To Trevor, for your friendship and flexibility. To my community of friends and avid adventurers: Heart & Lissin, Hammer, Aaron, Pogen, Thomas, Isabel, Bill, and Joanne for accompanying me on unknown and overgrown trails. To Michelle and Leah, for taking the path less traveled. To Jan and Sid, for opening your home and hearts.
I wish to thank Thomas and Caroline Winnett at Wilderness Press for the opportunity to pursue professionally what I love. Thank you to David Lauterborn, who read the manuscript, contributing his knowledge and art of good writing, and to Roslyn, for picking up the pieces and guiding me through the process to completion.
A special thank-you goes to the hundreds of volunteers who built, maintained, and continue to work on the trails of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Unfortunately, the USFS has said that budgetary constraints preclude them from restoring most of the trails in the wilderness in the foreseeable future. Without the grassroots volunteer efforts of the folks at the Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Ventana Wilderness Alliance, many of the remote trails that traverse the heart of Ventana would be lost. The dedication of these volunteers to protecting and restoring the wildlands of the Big Sur coast is vital to the preservation of the rugged wilderness and biodiversity of the Northern Santa Lucia Mountains for generations to come. Without their efforts, this book would not have been possible.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 3 Big Sur Cultural History & Lore
CHAPTER 4 Driving & Destinations Along Highway 1
CHAPTER 5 Driving & Destinations Along Back Roads
CHAPTER 6 Safety & Conservation
Part I: State & Federal Lands of the Big Sur Coast
CHAPTER 7 Carmel River State Beach & Point Lobos State Reserve
2 Carmelo Meadow, Granite Point, & Moss Cove Trails
4 South Shore, Bird Island, South Plateau, & Pine Ridge Trails
CHAPTER 8 Garrapata State Park & Point Sur State Historic Park
