May 07, 2015 the sykes hot springs are awesome, i hope to go back. This is the newest trail guide to the big sur backcountry, published by the wilderness press as an update to. When a friend of mine suggested that we do our first backpacking trip of 2012 to sykes hot springs in big surs ventana wilderness, i said. A third hot springs is located at the tassajara zen center which is accessible by way of big sur and an 18 mile hike over the rugged ventana wilderness. Guide to backpacking big sur updated for 2019 freeborn aiden.
It is a popular take off point for many longer treks throughout the ventana wilderness and the northern end of the. Jun 16, 2016 backpacking in big sur sykes hot springs jen rocha. At the end of the trek the hiker finds the cool waters of the big sur river running alongside the 100degree pool of sykes hot springs. Backpacking in big sur sykes hot springs jen rocha. If you want a bit of privacy, i would recommend camping on the far side of the river.
Trails include popular destinations such as sykes hot springs and andrew molera and pfeiffer big sur state parks, as well as gems such as the impressive salmon creek falls and the remote ventana double cone. Big sur has many great destinations, but sykes hot springs is definitely near the top of the list for anyone who has been there. The wild and scenic big sur river, towering redwoods, and hot springs near sykes camp attract visitors from all over the world. Luckily, the sun began to shine through and it was turning out to be a gorgeous day. We took three days during the middle of the week and went to sykes hot springs in big sur, california for our first test. The ease of accessing the sykes hot springs has been a major reason for its popularity among people from all over the world. Jul 21, 1993 another favorite is the 8 mile backpack trail into sykes hot springs the springs are wellhidden along the south bank of the big sur river. The hot springs are about 100 yards downriver, on the lefthand side directly adjacent to the river. The campsite and hot springs were at times very crowded, especially on holidays and weekends. You can either have a trip with hot springs or without. The hot springs are on same side of the river as the trail from big sur. Hike to sykes hot springs in big sur without baggage. May 01, 2020 the turnoff for popular pfeiffer beach is located on highway 1, approximately one mile south of pfeiffer big sur state park s entrance.
The springs may be inaccessible when the river is running high, you can see the river at the big sur resort before starting your trip. A complete guide to the trails of big sur, ventana wilderness, and silver peak wilderness, 2nd edition 20 by analise elliot heid. There were seven campsites along both sides of the big sur river, both upstream and downstream from where the trail intersects the river. Sykes hot springs via pine ridge trail closed is a 19. Part of the logic there is that many big sur trails are overused, and by taking away the thing that makes sykes a desirable destination, the trail. Sykes hot springs and the hot springs located at the esalen institute. Backpacking big sur isnt exactly difficult but it isnt all that straightforward either. Its easy to understand why surfer dudes and photographers groove on its thundering surf and sweeping cliffs, but even the likes of legendary eroticist henry miller have swooned over californias big sur coast. Another short one about a group of loveable, drunken bums living up in monterey. Feb 22, 2015 david bird, hanif payandeh, and shane western go backpacking to sykes hot springs in big sur california on memorial day weekend 2014. Big sur and the oranges of hieronymous bosch henry miller american literatures arch deviant spent a fair chunk of his life and career down in big sur. If youre looking for a dogfriendly trail in big sur, then this is the one. See more ideas about hot springs, places to go and california travel.
This is the newest trail guide to the big sur backcountry, published by the wilderness press as an update to shaffers outdated guidebook see below. The trek to sykes hot springs is about 10miles one way along the pine ridge trail. They have a sulfurous content which has a smell and seems to have theraputic and relaxing benefits. Heading south from the state park entrance, it is the second right turn.
Sykes hot springs is a popular backpacking trip with in this area. That is pretty much the only helpful thing lonely planet has to say about visiting big sur by the way. Sykes hot springs is a backpacking, hiking adventure located in or near big sur, ca. Dec 16, 2017 the lonely planet poetically put it like this. Sykes hot springs are is of the best hidden treasures in the greater bay area. God damn there was a lot of people for a 10 mile 5000ft elevation. The pine ridge trail to sykes hot spring remained closed because of a dangerous washout described by the forest service as a catastrophic slope failure. Sykes hot springs big sur, california campground facebook.
Estimated opening is mid 2020 big sur has two hot springs which are open to the public. Ive read about sykes hot springs but i am looking for something not as popular. The actual springs are farther down the creek than one is led to. The trip to sykes hot springs in californias ventana wilderness is a 21. Backpack to the ventana wilderness sykes hot springs. Sykes hot springs has stone lined natural tubs that sometimes gets washed out in winter storms. Located in the ventana wilderness in big sur, these smelly and incredibly comfortable hot springs provide much needed relief for weary backpackers making their way in for an overnight or few day trip. Pfeiffer beach is not a california state park and charges a separate entrance fee. Sykes in nestled deep in the ventana wilderness, a 234,000acre protected area that was first established in 1969. The trail to sykes hot springs has been closed until further notice because of the soberanes fire. Elevation gain and loss is considerable, and trees often fall across the trail making passage difficult.
The sykes hot springs are awesome, i hope to go back. Though sykes is a very popular california backpacking trip, it is not easy, even for fit hikers. Jun 17, 20 this is the most detailed guide to hiking and backpacking in big sur. Hiking to sykes hot springs in big sur 4 october 20 4 october 20 by. How do some relaxing hot springs in the wilderness sound. Explore the endless hiking and backpacking possibilities in 75 trips plus numerous side trips on the rugged coastline and isolated backcountry trails of big sur, ventana wilderness, and silver peak wilderness. The forest service and ventana wilderness alliance, the organization responsible for most of the trail maintenance in the monterey ranger district, havent been in a hurry to fix the trail. Does anyone know of a good 1 night backpacking trail in big sur.
Built in 1916 by the post family of big sur, the pine. Mar 04, 2017 double back to the pine ridge trail and continue another 2. Big sur has two hot springs which are open to the public. The elevation tops out around 1,700 feet, and youll arrive at the hot springs around mile marker 10. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from march until october. Apr 10, 2020 it is possible to hike into big sur via crossing the santa lucia mountain, but it isnt common. The 10mile trail from big sur station to sykes is strenuous. Sykes hot springs, wowjodi and i are preparing for our 2016 john muir trail hike by doing some gear test runs to see if we have what we need forthe big one. Most of big sur is remote and few people travel it, most of the crowds are headed to sykes because they heard of some hot springs on the internet. Hiking and camping in big sur is always one of those must dos for any native californian. Sykes hot springs big sur, ca san diego backpackers. Another option and possibly one of the most incredible experiences in big sur happens to just a quick drive north to the esalen institute.
We arrived to the big sur station parking lot in the midafternoon and set out on our trailhead via the pine ridge trail. Solo backpacking in big sur vicente flatcone peak duration. Sykes camp sykes hot springs in the ventana wilderness. This is the most detailed guide to hiking and backpacking in big sur.
If you are going to do this as a weekend trip you either need to spend friday and part of sunday traveling or leave at the butt crack of dawn. Unfortunately, a wildfire in 2016, followed by subsequent landslides, caused enough damage that the forest service closed it. The third backpacking area, the pine ridge trail from big sur station to sykes hot springs, used to be the most popular. Pine ridge trail to sykes hot springs hiking trail, carmel. It is a very valuable asset in educating yourself about the big sur backcountry. Another favorite is the 8 mile backpack trail into sykes hot springs the springs are wellhidden along the south bank of the big sur river. David bird, hanif payandeh, and shane western go backpacking to sykes hot springs in big sur california on memorial day weekend 2014. Big sur to sykes hot springs trevorthorpetravels october, 2014 as part of our preparations for backpacking torres del paine in chilean patagonia, my friend reuben and i had planned on doing a route in the south part of big sur that takes in the highest coastal peak on the west coast cone peak. As part of the bohemian culture that took root here, miller described the place as seductive and hypnoticwhich is fairly obvious even from the pacific coast highway, the way most. This trip is into the ventana wilderness near big sur. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. And i keep looking up big sur has to be one of the most beautiful and spectacular natural places in california and there are many to choose from. If you go, camp beyond the hot springs, dont camp in the camps close to the trails go to pat springs, amazing views of double cone and ocean, lots of flat land atop a mountain. Hot springs in the big sur area sykes, tassajara, esalen.
Big sur sykes hot springs extended loop closed california. The 10mile hike from big sur station to sykes is strenuous. Pfeiffer big sur state park sykes hot springs is a popular hiking destination in the ventana wilderness. Big sur sykes hot springs extended loop closed is a 33.
The trail crosses the big sur and campsites are in both directions along the river from the crossing point. The trail is moderately challenging, youll cross the river twice. For tail maps and information get yourself the big sur and ventana wilderness map from wilderness press, read and update the trail reports in the ventana wild forums before you go and upon return. Hiking to sykes hot springs in big sur active naturists. Sykes hot springs via pine ridge trail closed california. A third hot springs is located at the tassajara zen center which is accessible by way of big sur and an 18 mile hike over the rugged. It is possible to hike into big sur via crossing the santa lucia mountain, but it isnt common. Backpacking pine ridge trail to sykes hot springs tripadvisor. You may have heard stories about a fantastical place in the ventana wilderness with redwoods, a clearrunning mountain stream and magical natural hot springs. Backpack to the ventana wilderness sykes hot springs, pine. Our plan was to camp at barlow flats, just 3 miles outside of sykes hot springs. Sykes hot springs big sur ventana wilderness trailspace. This was a carry all of your belongings, hike ten miles in the heat, camp along a river with four dogs and nine people, and then hike back out the next day kind of trip.
Redwood groves and streams decorate this rocky and steep trail that culminates at the spectacular sykes hot springs. Dec 04, 2012 when a friend of mine suggested that we do our first backpacking trip of 2012 to sykes hot springs in big sur s ventana wilderness, i said. Howto hike sykes hot springs a trail report from february 11, 2006 brian wiese update. Sykes camp is within the ventana wilderness and alongside the protected big sur river. Backpacking sykes hot springs, big sur, may youtube. Recommended 12 night hike in the big sur area backpacking. There is nothing special about the hot springs and you could get poison oak by getting. The hot springs are accessible after ten miles of hiking from the pine ridge trail, which starts just behind the big sur forest station and three miles out of the town of big sur. Take a scenic 20 mile hike roundtrip along the pine ridge trail to 3 hot springs sitting next to the big sur river. The challenging trail to the camp from the coast has been littered with abandoned backpacks and tents, bras, jackets, food wrappers, water bottles, and toilet paper. Mar 23, 2016 for one of my dear friends birthday, she requested a camping trip to big sur the sykes mineral springs.
It is a popular take off point for many longer treks throughout the ventana wilderness and the northern end of the forest. Stretching 90 miles from carmel to san simeon, big sur consists of coastal cliffs, jagged rocky promontories. However, this wasnt your typical camping adventure. There are more campsites on the far side, and you dont have a constraint stream of people walking past your camp on the way to the hot springs. Sykes hot springs in big sur is one of the most famous and popular backcountry hot springs in california, and it is easy to understand why. Go to sykes, yes tons of weekenders, but its amazing. Naturist, posted in active naturists our bike trip continued without much naked time as we were passing through farmland and coastal towns on the way to big sur. Heres an update on what used to be the most popular backpacking destination on the central coast of california. This is a great backpacking trip, but can be done as an outandback hike from the campgrounds at pfeiffer big sur state park if youre really moving. Waterfalls and hot springs and beaches and swimming holes are there to satisfy water lovers, too. The turnoff for popular pfeiffer beach is located on highway 1, approximately one mile south of pfeiffer big sur state park s entrance. Squid dreams of soaking in sykes hot springs and awakens to a. For one of my dear friends birthday, she requested a camping trip to big sur the sykes mineral springs. How to hike to sykes hot springs in big sur, california.
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