Vacation time? SIKE! We're backpacking to Sykes (Hot Springs)
Meet: Friday, November 11: TroGro (Starbucks by New North) @ 5:30 AM
Return: Sunday, November 13 @ 7 PM
Member: $103
Non-member: $129
Activity: Backpacking, Hot-Springing, Swimming
Difficulty: 7.5/10 – Hard
Distance: 15 miles Elevation: ~4,400 ft.
Recommended Prior Experience: Some backpacking experience suggested; hiking/camping/overnight experience required
Location of Trip: Big Sur
Native Land: Esselen, Rumsen
Pre-Trip Meeting: Wednesday, November 9 @ 6 PM at 2647 Orchard Ave.
Get psyched to hike to SYKES HOT SPRINGS! We’ll be sending it so hard guys. We’ll be leaving campus at 5:30 AM (you can sleep in the car, Tadd and Abby will sing you to sleep) to head straight up to Big Sur – a beautiful 5-ish hour drive up the PCH. We’ll hike about 7 miles up the Pine Ridge Trail to set up camp at the Barlow Flat Campground. On Saturday, we’ll stay right around camp/take short hikes in the area to swim in the creek, hammock under giant redwoods, play silly games, and take a hot dip in the hot springs. Sunday morning we’ll backpack out and make the scenic trek home! Bring a swimsuit, fun games, your craziest stories, and great vibes. This will be a challenging but super fun backpacking trip for several hours each way, so come ready to get your booty poppin’ and your heart throbbin’!
Contact the Guides:
Tadd – taddlong@usc.edu
Abby – drood@usc.edu
What to Bring:
*REMINDER: if you do not have a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpacking pack, or other technical gear (non-clothing), do not panic, SC Outfitters has these items for you! Your guides will send out a gear-request form the week of your trip where you’ll let them know what gear you need!
Backpacking pack*
Sleeping bag*
Sleeping pad*
3-4 L of water
Headlamp
Mess kit/plate/utensils
Hiking boots/trail runners/hiking shoes
Toothbrush/toothpaste/other toiletries
Jacket/warm layers
Athletic material clothing for hiking
2-3 pairs of socks + undergarmets
Swimsuit and towel
Sunglasses/hat
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Hand sanitizer
OPTIONAL: card games/group games/books/other activities
OPTIONAL (but STRONGLY recommended): hammock
REQUIRED: good vibes, can-do attitude
Please Review Our Cancellation and Refund Policy:
All SC Outfitter trips have a no-refund policy unless a substitute participant can be found. In the event your trip requires added reporting measures of participants (plane tickets, external providers, rental services, etc.) dropping the trip close to the date of the trip will not allow for the spot to be re-filled. See the details on trip pages for specific deadlines and reference our complete cancellation/refund policy here.
TRIP DIFFICULTY RATING SYSTEM
Difficulty rating for trips
1: No physical activity.
2: Leisurely walk.
3: 2-5 miles less than 1000 ft of total elevation gain on well maintained trails. About 2-3 hours continuous activity
4: 4-6 miles, about 1000 ft of elevation gain, well maintained trails. About 3 hours of continuous activity.
5: 6-8 miles, about 1500ft of elevation gain on maintained trials. 4-5 hours continuous activity
6: 8-10 miles, about 2000 ft of elevation gain, well maintained trails. 4-6 hours of continuous activity.
7: 10-14 miles, over 2500 ft of elevation gain, variable trail conditions possible. Full day of continuous activity.
8: At high altitude. 12-16 total miles, over 3000 ft of elevation gain, variable trail conditions possible. Full day of continuous activity.
9: Technical skills may be necessary. At high altitude with physical elevation gain. Scrambling over rocks likely involved.
10: u gunna die
**If you have any questions or concerns about the physical activity, recommended prior experience, or gear needed on any kind of trip please contact the guides as soon as possible!!