Outside Lands is a series of articles dedicated to exploring hiking outside of the San Francisco Bay Area. These articles once stray to far afield, still keeping within a one day drive from San Francisco. So, don’t expect any Himalayan treks anytime soon.

A few weeks ago, I decided to visit an old friend south of the bay and take in one of the most picturesque places in all of California or the world really. The California coast can be so enchanting, looking at the primordial broken land protecting an infinite amount of seemingly unspoiled beaches. The extensive protected lands of the California coast offers any traveler the ability to vacation in any town, and still be only five miles away from what feels like million.

It is from this backdrop, I made a journey to Monterey and not for the golfing or aquarium. After a tourists gets there fill of the town, the closest thing to hiking  is the crowded Point Lobos State Park. As someone who rather avoid the crowds. I decided to look for something a little more hidden, but most of all challenging. As luck would have it, the next state park had everything I wanted. Garrapata State Park a free, surprisingly accessible park, only 15 minutes away from Point Lobos. Garrapata State Park is a gorgeous place with wood walkways to leading down to rocky beaches. The beaches are nice, but the real reason to visit Garrapata is a strenuous hike 2,000 feet up to Doud Peak. The hike takes you up classic coastal vegetation and loops through a canyon of old growth redwoods, along with a canyon filled with flowers and coastal cactus lining the walls.

After researching this hike, I concluded the drive and experience was worth it, I took advantage of the great 70s weather and packed plenty of water. I had a feeling my camel pack was going to be empty by journeys. I started the hike at one of the many pullouts, and headed to the first marker. The biggest complaint about Garrapata State Park, is while the trails are well worn, the trail signage is lacking. Good thing I knew as long as went up and not down I would be heading in the right direction.

There are a few constants that stood out for me right from the get go, as I made my way up the mountain.

No matter what, I couldn’t escape that barn, lizards, and cactus. The Barn was a great marker, because beyond being quaint it let me know how far away I was from the trail head. The lizards! Everyone step I took there was another lizard, yes this is spring, but my god they were everywhere. I almost stepped on them about 100 times, I knew if I died on this trail it was going to be avoiding them and falling off a cliff. Then there was the surprising cactus, it was also everywhere, providing an interesting juxtaposition with all the ocean around me.

I was also surprised about the amount of people hiking the trail, and of all ages. It was great to see old and young trying to beat this mountain and make to the top. I did though have a feeling, the higher I went the fewer and fewer people would be around. I took the Rocky Ridge Trail, this was over the Soberanes Canyon Trail, which I was told had the easier route to the top. As I always do, I rather get the hard stuff over first and enjoy the easy part last, besides I figured a reward of a Redwood forest was worth it. Rocky Ridge Trail is great done in stages, about every 500 feet you will encounter a flat portion to take a look around and catch your breath. I should also mention don’t expect shade unless you like to roll under brush to beat the heat.

Here is a few coastal shots I took around this time.

Beyond the first elevation hurdle is when I really started to feel the incline, it was also at this point I got passed by a woman easily in her late 60s with bronze skin running up the hill, but she took the time to give me a high-five as she past. If I was to have ideas of turning back, they quickly burned away at that second, and the sadistic feelings I get when people younger and in better shape than me turn back. This is also a good thing I have a camera on me, it allows me to take multiple breaks and not look like a sweaty wimp. It wasn’t hard either, everywhere around me was beauty, with spring in full bloom, every plant was showing is colors. There also was a vast array of butterflies and at least five different species of Bee filling the air with a soothing hum.

Here is a gander at the flower shots I was able to take along the way.

Once, I got to about the 1,000 mark there is a nice rock outcropping you can hide behind for some shade, it also gave me the opportunity to get this shot of a couple taking in the view beyond.

After this little pit stop I collected myself, and got to the next station this time complete with an awesome bench nestled in some rocks and a view to die for.

This was a great spot to take a few shots of the color explosion all around me.

I still had one ridge left to conquer to the top…

This final stretch came when the temperature was at its highest and no help in the way of a breeze, but I soldier on and after a bunch of whining I made it to the top. What I found was was a panorama, but I was caught by two men having lunch.

Now, it was time to make it around the backside and down into the canyon. I took these backside shots after I almost stepped on a rattlesnake…

The backside trail was a quick descent, as I eagerly wanted to get into the forest below. It was easy to see why the redwoods survived the ax, the amount of trees wouldn’t have been enough value to log and the inaccessibility was clear. It was just too bad the drought meant I wasn’t going to get much in the way of a runaway stream to add to the beauty.

What I did see was still amazing.

The grove of redwoods was small and once you leave you enter the canyon proper with lush beauty all around.

 

Oh, and did I mention cactus!

As the hike was coming to an end, I realized I had been listening to the same album over and over for the last three plus hours. When it comes to coastal hiking, I usual gravitate towards electronica, chill, or ambient music. This hike had one specific artist speaking to me.

Madeon a young French DJ with immense talent, who recently released his first full fledged album.

As I left the canyon, I was greeted by the first marker and a pair of vultures telling me my journey was over.

I had an initial plan on heading down to the beach, but I was beat and needed to meet friends for dinner. So, I pack my things in my car and took one final shot, putting a cap on this adventure.

If you want to see more images edited and unedited click the link below.

Garrapata State Park Trip 3-29-15