Big Sur Hike: Buckeye Trail / Cruikshank Trail

Some days are better than others, and some are worse. Today was one of the latter...

A few days ago, I found a group that was going to hike in Big Sur on Saturday. Having no plans this weekend, I figured I wanted to get out of town and its awful air quality. I woke up at 4.30 AM (too early even for me) after a sleepless night (probably anticipating that I would have to wake up at 4.30 AM, bummer!), made breakfast and a cup of coffee and drove a bit over 3 hours to the meeting location.

The group was already there. Since this was a one way hike, we had to drive to the trailhead and left a few cars at the finishing point. The group seemed a bit slow, so after a group picture, we started the ascend. At 8.5 miles with roughly 2,500 ft elevation gain, this hike was not anticipated to be anything that I have never done before, except that I was really tired after minimal sleep. No big deal!

The beginning was quite tough, quick elevation gain in the sun is never an easy experience.

The views were undeniably amazing!

We then continued the hike in the woody area with dozens of little flies swarming around us. For whatever reason they liked me very much, even after a bug spray. I later realized they were attracted to sweat, so I ended up wearing my light sweater on my head - I looked ridiculous, but it did do the trick, the flies left me alone. The heat did not... It was really hot and humid, and with a sweater on your head... well, let's just say "misery" was not just a sad word for me then, but reality. "Exercise!", I was thinking. "Where else would I get all this exercise if not in nature! Bugs? They are part of nature, hence, I should be enjoying the bugs as well!" I tried to convince myself. No luck...

The woods provided some shade, such a relief!

The group continued to stop and wait for the slow hikers, which added extra time. Lunch at midpoint at Buckeye Camp took the group the whole hour, so I was anxious to get going. I usually like my hikes at a consistent speed with multiple, but short breaks. Not this time. As the group waited again,  I said that I would continue since I had another 3 hours drive back. The leader agreed. By then I was really tired, thirsty (I drank all my water) and desperate to take a shower. This little buddy agreed with me...

The remainder of the trail was along the ocean, but not much cooler. Light breeze was a nice relief, but still the heat emanating from the ground was enough to cook a couple of eggs. The views were still incredible, but unfortunately I was too hot to truly enjoy them. I bet in a few months this will be a fabulous trail to hike, but today it was exhausting, annoying (mostly because of people) and hot.