A few months ago I got an email inviting me to the Mountain Hardwear #findingwinter program! Mountain Hardwear sent over the Plasmic Jacket, Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded Jacket and Scrambler 30 pack, but we’ve been hard pressed for winter this year in California.
Big Sur is one of my favorite places to escape for the weekend. With unparalleled views of the California coastline and little to no cell service, it’s the perfect place to recharge, if only for a little while.
We decided to hike to the Tin House via the Tanbark Trail. I’d been here last Christmas. We missed the trailhead and changed our start point to park headquarters instead.
The Bay Area is a treasure trove of lush forests dotted with redwoods and picturesque cascades. I set out to do an 8 mile loop up Cataract Trail to High Marsh Trail to Kent Trail to Helen Markt Trail a few weekends ago but turned around due to torrential downpour. Ideally last weekend would have been the most ideal weekend for the hike, but this past weekend was just as good and the falls were still flowing!
I think the only time I’ve ever owned a vest in my life was for a costume. And it wasn’t even mine. It was my dad’s and it was big, ugly and frumpy. When Outdoor Research asked me to test out their new Cathode Vest, I said yes! A beautiful, but functional vest of my own? Heck yes.
A couple friends and I took advantage of the three day weekend and drove down to Big Sur for some good ol’ group camping. With temperatures hovering well above 70 degrees, it was the perfect time to head down to the central coast to get outside and relax.
My car drove down bright and early on Saturday morning to beat traffic on Highway 1 and maximize the fun. (Seriously, Highway 1 minivan traffic is no joke on the weekends) Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has one campground open in the “winter”. The campsites are all packed in four rows. They can fit 8 people but its a squeeze to get four 2-person tents in with room to breathe. Each site also holds two cars.