Salad Bowl to Oakland to Big Sur, CA (One Weekend)

[Michael Castro]

Hello all,

I am VERY new to this forum, but I already dig it! I'm an avid user of JeepForum.com and I heard of this forum and decided to join!

Anywho... The reason I'm posting, is because I have a nice little weekend in front of me.

Friday night I will be traveling from my home (Salinas, CA) to Oakland, CA for a concert. The Black Keys will be performing at the Oracle Arena. I plan to get a few beers and take a few pictures with my lady.

Shortly afterward we will be traveling back down South to Big Sur, CA. We will set up Camp at Kirk Creek Campground located in Los Padres National Forest. This place is filled with tons of hiking trails that extend out to the shore and ultimately have beach access. We plan to meet up with some friends to explore this forest that has tons of redwoods and other large trees that provide an awesome canopy. Unfortunately, we will only stay for Saturday and Sunday because people have to work and make monies!

I will make sure to document my surroundings and elaborate on any and all pictures. I have some pretty good knowledge of plant and wildlife on account of graduating with a Plant Science degree. yaaay! im excited!

This will be the vehicle that will take me there! Not much to look at, but it gets the job done! (1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. 5.2 Liter Engine. V8 Vortech. 4x4). I put in an aftermarket exhaust and intake. 0-60 in 7 secs. 8)
http://i45.tinypic.com/awteza.jpg

[Michael Castro]

Sooo, me and my lady ended up exploring for and extra night and day. Just got back last night.

There was also a change of plans: due to environmental irregularities, Kirk Creek was closed. So we all ended up exploring Andrew Molera State Park. And boooyyyy it didn't disappoint. The 10 mile hike provided some awesome panoramic views of the coastline and steep mountain sides. The hike started from an isolated beach which is only accessible from the campgrounds (about a mile hike) and peaked to 1500 feet about 5.5 miles in. Surprisingly, at the top of the trail contained a ton of oak, redwood, and pines that provided an awesome canopy. This is were we saw a few condor chillin out, making a foo feel like he's in Jurassic Park. My buddy, Nicole, got an awesome pic of Condor #4. (I'll make sure to post it!)

Spring time being the time when most vegetation grows, there was a TON of Poison Oak near the trails. But there was also an abundance of beautiful Foxtail and Thissle rolling in the wind.

I was a little bummed out that the Steelhead Fish season is a little delayed.. Didn't get to see them in the nearby river. :(

Saturday night was the Super Moon! We all got to enjoy the closest Moon we've had in a long time. Damn thing was so bright that we couldn't see any stars... On a clear *** night! I was able to write a postcard in just the moonlight.

Yesterday, my lady and I, went to explore the trails at Julia Phiffer Burns Park. Gooosh-friggen-darn-it, that place is friggen beautiful. There were a ton of trails leading out to some awesome beaches. We were able to catch the sunset at the Golden Door. You gotta see the pics. Ahhhh I'm so excited to share! Soon soon soon soon!

[Michael Castro]

100098 early bird
100099 fire wood on the rack!
100100 me and m'lady.
100103 HWY 1 is the best highway in America!
100104 Smokey!
100105
100107
100109JEEP
100110 loooong way down!
100111 after a 30 min hike, you get out of the canopy and out to this!

[Ronct110]

Welcome Mike. Good to hear you and your lady enjoyed the wknd. If you are up in the North Bay, drive further north and check out the Lost Coast trail. Borders Mendocinno and Humboltd County. It has all the 6 things on you sign line. And yes, the super moon Saturday was spectacularly bright and seems so close. Amazing.

[Michael Castro]

100114
100115 halfway to the peak.
100116 murrrr.
100117 a failed attempt at taking a picture of a condor at the peak.
100118 my friend, Nicole, had a better camera! According to CA.gov, this is "Amigo"
100119 yee.
100120 The famous Big Sur Bridge in the distance.
100122 woah maaan
100123 sticky monkey flower and a beetle!

[Michael Castro]

Awe man that sounds awesome. My friend, Nicole, got into Humboltd's masters program for this Fall... So you best know I'm going! My lady's family lives in Eureka too! Ahh I'm Sooo excited!

[Michael Castro]

100124 sunset on Saturday
100125 sunset on Sunday
100126 happy cows!
100127 cypress at Julia Pfeiffer.
100128 waterfall a Julia Pfeiffer
100129 better view
100130 "The Gorge" at Julia Pfeiffer
100131
100132 Big Arse Rock. At Julia Pfeiffer
100133 GOLDEN DOOR!

[Michael Castro]

100134
100135 early morning fog.
100137 Super Moon Saturday

[haven]

Fantastic shot of the condor!

[Michael Castro]

Fantastic shot of the condor!

Thanks! I couldn't believe we got that.

[t4rman]

Nice write up. Thanks for sharing. I want your smokey nor cal shirt. I spent my child hood in Grass Valley/Nevada City and that shirt pretty much sums it up. :D excellent stuff.