If you like that check out another of his short films Industrial Revolutions here.
http://www.adventureprotocol.com/
The classic trip for everyone person who
grew anywhere near Big Sur, the Gorge is a summer haven for everyone from
the young cannabis inclined to old couples with their grandkids. Only a short hike from the parking lot,
the Gorge is always a little different each time that you go (R.I.P the rope
swing) and had a year or two post-fires when the swimming hole was pretty
devastated, but it is slowly growing back to its former glory. The Gorge has something for everyone,
and if you are camping/staying in Big Sur, make sure you take a day/half a day
and experience this local treasure.
Late spring/early summer is best for the optimal heat/water height
proportion. Summer weekends are usually very
crowded.
Directions: From
Rio Road in Carmel it is 26.8 miles South on Highway 1 (some of the most
beautiful coastline in the world).
Enter at Julia Pfeiffer State Park (locals hint: veer right after
entering the park towards where it says “Lodge Guests”. Drive by as if you know what you are
doing and you can skip out on the entrance fee. I may have done this 10+ times at least, and never gotten in
trouble. DO AT YOUR OWN RISK).
After you are past the gate, come to the first stop sign, and veer left
at they Y-intersection. Go for a
while until you hit a dead end/parking lot. Park here, and head up the hill along the fire road. When you hit the campground/river, go
up the river (through the campground) and you will come to a trail. This trail dies out after awhile, so
just scramble/find your way (or follow someone who looks like they have been
there before). The main swimming
hole is only about a mile from the parking lot. For a bigger adventure, swim past the main swimming hole and go explore up the river!
A
well-kept secret of Big Sur, Partington Cove is a steep hike down a fire road,
through an old “smuggler’s” tunnel (apparently built during Prohibition for
illicit purpose...although I cannot verify that this is true), and into a beautiful
cove, ending at a wooden bench. If
you are up for a little more risky challenge, continue on the hiker-made trail
to the right to some fund tide pooling, scrambling, and even a few boulder
problems. Great secluded spot for
a romantic dinner while watching the sunset. Also, there is access to a small beach if you take the trail right at the Y.
“The Partington Cove Trail starts at
a large pullout in a sweeping bend on the inland side of Highway 1. You can
park on either side of the highway—on the west side there is the road down to
Partington Cove with a gate at top.
The pullout is just 2 miles north of
the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park turnoff, or 54.6 miles north of the Hearst
Castle turnoff.
A
very cool secluded spot to just hang out and scramble, or for the more
bouldering-minded, there are a few highball problems (for more information
check out http://www.supertopo.com/bouldering/Bay-Area-Bouldering-Granite-Creek
and http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/North_
California_Coast/Big_Sur/Granite_Creek/). There are a few TR bolts that you can
walk to, but I cannot attest to the quality of these. The best climbing is located in a small “canyon” with walls
about 15-25 feet high. Landings
are sketchy so make sure you bring enough crash pads and a few spotters. Watch for the tide coming in when you
are down there…I have almost lost a crash pad to a rapidly rising tide. Some good tide pools in the area, just
a fun place to explore, stop on your way down to Big Sur, or on the way back.
Directions: Park
at the turnout on the right side of the road just across the street from
Pfeiffer State Park (same entrance as for the Big Sur Gorge Trip). Pick up at the River Inn (just north of
Big Sur Campground and Cabins and south of Andrew Molera State Park).
Note: There is also the option of hiking on the west side of
the road, the trail starts at the turnout and does a gentle hike right along
the coast that loops around back to the beginning.
Directions: About
7.1 miles from Rio Road in Carmel, you will see large turnouts on both sides of
Highway 1, and a gate with signs denoting the trail. You will know you are in the right spot if there is a large
barn-like structure very close to the trailhead.