Vicente Flat & Cone Peak

I'm back at it! Yes this blog has been neglected for the past few months but we have not neglected our adventures and travelling. It seems these days we live for the weekends and try to make the most of each one. This weekend was no exception. We conquered the highest peak in Big Sur, climbed 5,000 feet of elevation and hiked a good 22 miles in less than 48 hours. Insane? Yes. But worth it. As I write this I am still hobbling around because my legs are dead but it was truly an epic adventure.

Our friends Eric and Paige and Bobby and I left bright and early Saturday morning and started our trek at about 9:30 at the Vicente Flat trail-head right off of Highway 1 in Big Sur. We got the most perfect weather, blue skies and sunny, not too hot and not too cold. Every step on the trail afforded an amazing view which took our minds off the steep terrain.

It was about 5 miles to the Vicente Flat campground and we were definitely not disappointed. There was a stream running right through  middle of giant redwoods with lush ferns and wild flowers all around.

We set up camp and ate lunch, and mentally and physically geared up for what was to be one of, if not the hardest, hikes I've ever done. There were many points throughout the hike that we thought about turning back but we pushed through. It was about 12 more miles to the top of Cone Peak and back.

                                        The Peak looming in the distance. Just off from the right.

Group shot a few miles in.

photo op. Only a little farther to the top!

made it!! 5,150 feet

We all collapsed at the top and took in the view. There was even snow at the top! It was such an accomplishment and we were all so stoked to have done it. But we couldn't dilly-dally for long because we still had to make it down and it was getting late. The steep descent was still very challenging but our spirits were high and we made it to a great vista point just in time for sunset.

Before long, the sun went down and we were hiking down through the redwood gulch in the dark with our headlamps. We got back to camp and scarfed down some dinner, made a fire and then hit the sack, absolutely pooped but extremely proud of our day's work.

Waking up in the redwoods is nothing short of spectacular.

We slowly hobbled got out of our tent and made some breakfast and the boys set up Eric's hammock over the river.

I could have laid there all day!

After some hammock-ing, we packed up and started the hike back to the car. We stopped half-way for lunch and could not have found a sweeter spot for a break.

on top of the world!

we enjoyed the view the whole way down.

This trip was physically exhausting but was worth every step. The peacefulness of the mountains and the ocean is unlike anything else and I always leave renewed and refreshed.

And just for fun, I'll leave you with this picture. We had some serious fun with long exposure and I think we captured it.