The Lost Valley / Coast Ridge Loop

There is beauty, and then there is something beyond it -- the sublime. Big Sur is like that. Not just run-of-the-mill beauty, but something above and beyond. A place that triggers a sense of something ineffable -- divine, even. As we chatted over lunch after our backpacking trip, we checked our phones for the first time and got word of the destruction at Notre Dame, and that brought to mind the theme of the weekend. Sublime beauty can be found in nature or even, at great expense and with immense focus, in the best human arts -- like the Paris cathedral.

Four days in the wilderness of central California. Deep canyons, waterfalls, wildflowers in riot, craggy peaks, and coast views. By themselves, these things are merely routinely beautiful. But put them together in the company of friends, and it takes on a special dimension. Like when we were walking the coast ridge on Sunday morning and were buzzed by a trio of California condors. Some of the rarest and most magnificent birds that have ever lived.

That is the sublime.

Few places in the world match Big Sur for scenic grandeur. Visitors flock here to relax under its redwoods, gaze at its spectacular coastline, or seek out the spiritual aura that has long lured writers and artists.

Climbing steeply into the Ventana Wilderness from Highway 1, we’ll traverse some of Big Sur’s secretive redwood canyons and high ridges, enjoying wildflowers, waterfalls, shady riverside camps and awesome coast views.

The wilderness has been badly burned in recent wildfires, but there’s a silver lining to the devastation: rioting wildflowers and trails clear of brush.

This will be a strenuous backpack, covering nearly 35 miles over three nights and four days at a purposeful pace over very rugged terrain, so this trip is suitable only for experienced backpackers in very good condition. We’ll cheerfully face the possibility of bushwhacking, ticks, rattlesnakes fresh from hibernation, and occasional poison oak. Because of the strenuous nature of this trip, the leader reserves the right to qualify participants. This is a consciously low-impact outing, so carpool participation is encouraged and participants are urged to contribute to their vehicle’s shared mileage and gas costs.

This trip is strictly dependent upon a favorable weather forecast. A National Weather Service forecast of rain within 72 hours of our start will cancel or re-route this trip at the discretion of the leader, as will fewer than three confirmed signups as of 8:00pm, Wednesday, April 10. This trip will be by individual commissary, and we’re not planning any shared meals, so please plan to provide your own supply of food.