Backpacking Salmon Creek Trail, Big Sur

We spent the last weekend of August driving up to the southern tip Big Sur and backpacking Salmon Creek Trail. Louis, Chis and I took off Friday morning from Mission Viejo. Salmon Creek Trail is a part of the Los Padres National Forest, no permit is required for overnight camping, however, a fire permit is required if we wanted to use a stove or start a camp fire. We realized 10 minute into our trip that neither of us had a fire permit and decided to make a little detour to Angeles National Forest ranger station to pick up a fire permit and have lunch. 

The drive took about five hours from San Gabriel valley. As always, Highway 1 is scenic and beautiful. The Salmon Creek Trail head is approximately 20 miles north of the Hearst Castle turn off or 3 miles north of the Ragged Inn. The parking lot for the trail is easy to spot it is after a big bend on Hwy 1 shortly after passing the Inn.

Hairpin right before Salmon Creek trail parking lot. 

 Our goal was to hike to Estrella camp the first night and do a day hike to Coast Ridge Road on  Saturday.

 Dakota and Estrella Camp

 It was a crowded weekend, we managed to find one last campsite near the creek in Estrella, and the creek was running! I was a little worried about the availability of water at the creek since it's been such a dry year.

Overlooking the Pacific ocean, it was an overcast day. 

 Poison oak was everywhere on the trail. It completely covered the trail at parts between Estrella and Coast Ridge highway.

 Dakota helping Louis filter water from the creek.

My friends from Norcal met up with us on Saturday morning. Dakota and Bubo became immediate friends. 

Louis was attached by a nest of yellow jackets on our way into Estrella. This is how we prepared for them on our way out.