2004.01.31
Ventana Wilderness
Steve, Breanna and I hiked into Ventana Wilderness to Sykes Hot Springs on Super Bowl weekend. We figured that with the rainy season and Super Bowl weekend combined, it might be the least visited weekend of the year at often crowded Sykes.
2 pages / 30 photos
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Blue Skies
We hiked in under blue skies, with the Pacific receding as we headed further up the Big Sur river canyon.
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Big Sur River
Pine Ridge trail crosses the Big Sur just downstream from main Sykes camp. Since camps are strung up and down both sides of the river, river crossings are often necessary to get from one part of Sykes to another. Tevas or water socks come in handy.
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Sykes Hot Springs
The hot springs are about 1/3 mile downstream from the main Sykes camp. The springs are along the banks of the Big Sur river in an old growth redwood forest. The springs are quite warm -- just about perfect.
Here's the upper spring.
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Heavy Mist
We hiked out Sunday at noon. By mid afternoon, the weather had closed in, alternating between a heavy mist and light rain.
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