Big Sur’s Andrew Molera: Elfin Redwoods, River Crossing, Purple Sand Beaches??!

(Update: Be sure to check for updates here before departing on Sunday! W/r to Pebble Beach traffic (see comments), I have allocated more than an hour longer than Alltrails suggests for the hike, so we will be back before the car show ends.)

Join us for a gorgeous and diverse Big Sur hike — but be ready for a strenuous uphill start, possible patches of rough trail and poison oak, relenting into panoramic bluffs and a purple sand beach. This is an Explore Hike*.

Route: 8-9miles, ~1,500’ Elevation Gain. Alltrails.

Bring: Water shoes (or an amphibious spirit), hiking shoes with good traction, sunscreen, bug repellent, plenty of water and a hearty snack. A pleasant disposition!

Forecast: Sunny. High 68F

Cell phones: Assume no service once past Monterey area. Pre-load maps. Cross your T’s and dot your I’s.

Anrew Molera’s Elfin Redwoods as well as the Purple Sand Beaches are highly reputed as secret attractions here. We will assess, but not reveal, the veracity of these claims.

Note: This is not a beginner hike. Please review the trail and difficulty level before signing up.

We will be crossing through the Big Sur River - there is no bridge,

Trail is Moderately Challenging: The route, rated as moderately challenging, is generally well-maintained with some steep sections and poison oak along the trail. River crossings may be up to knee-high. Distance and elevation are estimates.
This group hikes at a fairly fast pace, averaging 2.0 — 2.5mph. Please allow 5 hours for us to explore this route and several side routes. Bring your adventurous good attitude!

Carpooling: From west Santa Cruz, we can carpool from The Abbey. Post your offers and requests for carpooling in the comments, noting best rendezvous locations.

When / Where to meet: Meet in the Andrew Molera Parking Area 🅿️, near the Creamery Meadow Trailhead in Big Sur by 11am. Hike departs at 11:15am.

*Explore Hike: "Explore" signifies that we are all in this together, and your host will be exploring this for the first time along with you. So, roll with the punches and bad puns, and enjoy the discovery together. You should be a reasonably confident and fit hiker to join us on an explore hike.

Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for this hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any social activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.