03-04 Plaskett Creek to Bottchers Gap

3/04/10 Thursday

Photos:  http://silverserenity.shutterfly.com/1155


Hwy 1 is notorious for land slides and we experienced the crews removing some slides from the roads. There were also parts where the road and bridges were being rebuilt. Taking our time, stopping at overlooks as desired and enjoying the splendor around us made for a wonderful rest of the day.

We passed the Esalen Institue. Esalen has a massage school, holds classes and seminars for groups, and serves as a personal retreat. If you stay there you have full access to the grounds and organic gardens, natural hot water tubs, 3 meals, etc. Massages are available. The general public is only allowed on the grounds for massages or to visit the hot tubs by appointment only. The hot tubs are only available to the public from 1am-3am for $20 per person but I can tell you that it is worth it.

Two years ago we did the hot tubs. There are some hot tubs that are right out on the cliff overlooking the ocean. Or, should I say that the ocean crashes to the shore under the hot tubs which are up on the cliffs. The night was moonless and cloudless. I have never seen so many shooting stars in one place! The experience is exquisite to say the least! If you are in the area this is a must stop – either by booking a room for the night or taking in just the hot tubs. If you plan to book a room, do so as far in advance as possible as they book up far in advance.

The next stop was at Pfeiffer State Park. Because we were too long to drive in, we parked on the side of the road and walked a couple of trails which can be seen from the road. The first trail was out along the top of the cliff. There was a stream below us which we didn’t know flowed to the point and became the waterfall. From here you couldn’t see the waterfall or even hear it. Photo 3858 should have given it away with the words “sheer cliff stay back”. Large eucalyptus trees brought a wonderful fragrance to the walk. From this trail the waterfall trail is visible on the opposite cliff side. ON photo 3867 the road and bridge is above the trail.

The other trail was the waterfall trail. From this trail was a great view of the waterfall. The farther along the trail we went, the better the view. Flowers bloomed along the trail and mountainside and became more plentiful towards the end.

At the end of the trail was the remains of an old home site. (Read the info in photos 3896-3900 to find out about the house and owners that use to sit here and information about how this became a Park.) At the home site were flowers and what looked to be old tier gardens. There were also benches to sit on and imagine what it would have been like to own and live at this very site. Can you imagine what the taxes alone would cost today? Hurts my wallet just to think about it.

With the day getting later, it is time to move on. As you can tell in the next photos (starting at 3914) the farther north we travel the cliffs are not as high and the mountains on the coastline do not seem as tall. But I can’t figure why the Navy/Marines needs a small hill in ocean (photo 3917.) In this area are several different military holdings.

Now the homes are getting more frequent. Photo 3922-3924 shows a private home overlooking the ocean up on the hill. It appears to be almost completely glass windows. Now why would you want to have a 360 degree view from there????

We began searching for the turn off to Bottchers Gap Camp Ground. As a teaser I will first say that we had previously asked two different people about this camp ground and were told that it was a very narrow winding mountain road and if our truck was not in good shape don’t try it! Well gosh, being from the mountains of NC how bad can a little old mountain road be?

Our book told us that trailers were limited to 20 feet and we are 19 feet. “The Camp Ground is located in oak trees. Limited supplies on site. Lat 36*21’16” Lon 121*48’46”. Elevation 2100 feet. 9 single sites.” First let me clarify one thing – supplies one site? Are you kidding????

The road in is very very narrow one lane with minimal places made to pull over when you meet someone. The road is paved but immediately we head into a redwood grove which is dark and damp, the road covered in forest droppings. Tiny homes spot the mountain side along the road.

Last night a large redwood had fallen bringing down the power lines and blocking the road. The power company was there trying to reconnect power and cut up the tree into pieces small enough to handle to clear the road. We had to wait while they directed traffic. The power company truck had to move so we could get through and looked at us very questioningly. Did they know something we didn’t?

Then all of a sudden there was an almost complete U-turn and the road went straight up. No, I am not kidding. This is the first time I have ever been concerned about our truck not being able to pull the trailer. Both of us were almost in shock at the road we were on. Now the bad thing is that there is no where to turn around. It becomes clear after finally reaching the top, there is no option but to go to the end of the road. Not only am I worried about getting there but now I am worried about getting out again. What if another tree is across the road? What if we can’t make it up another mountain like this one? There were a couple of places we could have pulled over and spent the night but we still couldn’t have turned around. So we decided to go on to the camp ground and decide from there.

The first sight that greeted us at the camp ground was the snow on the next mountain top. Ok, this is not the desert any more! And it is cold! The camp ground is small, there is no place to get supplies and we were the only ones here. Besides the manager, there was only one other car and they were out hiking. We decided to stay here for the night and head out in the morning before it is suppose to rain. If it rains another tree might block the road and we would be stuck here for a couple of days more.

It started getting colder fast and as soon as we looked around for a bit then went inside. Brrr, we had a nice hot supper, cleaned up and headed to bed shortly.

Tell you more tomorrow……………