Cypress Grove & Sea Lion Point (Point Lobos State Park))
We started 2014 with a hike at Point Lobos State Reserve. I got to cross two hikes off of my list. We started off with the Cypress Grove trail, then did the Sea Lion Point trail.
But I had another epiphany about how I should do things even if other people aren’t doing what I think they should be doing. I think it would be really great if I got used to taking the kids out for hikes by myself because Shane is going to start another Masters program in March. It will be a great way to get the kids out and give him time to study.
By the time we reached the entrance to the Point Lobos State Reserve, I was already in a good mood. The kid’s chatter about a family hike and how cool it is that “the ocean almost comes right up to the road!!” really helped.
And, of course, how can anyone be disappointed/angry when they are looking at this?!
Miss Eliza is quite independent and refuses to hold my hand. I’m really impressed with her and during this first hike I was wavering on the idea of getting a hiking kid carrier.
She even wants to climb rocks like the big kids.
Nice view of Carmel.
I love how the forest meets the ocean here.
Cypress Grove done! On to Sea Lion Point.
If you listen carefully, you can hear the sea lions barking. They are covering those two big rocks.
I think this rock looks like a wave…
The older ones looked for sea creatures. Caleb was such a big help here. He helped the girls cross the stream and made sure they didn’t get too close to the water.
Afterwards he said, “Ugh, the girls were so much work. I didn’t even get to look around that much.”
Welcome to my world, kid.
On the way back to the van. They were tired!! I had to take a picture so I can remember this rare moment.
This trail was definitely more challenging with the little ones. I had to carry Eliza for the majority of it since it was rocky and quite steep in places. I started to think that a hiking child carrier was actually a good idea.
At the top of the stairs. This place made me want to take a Geology class.
They couldn’t keep their hands off the ropes. What is it with kids and ropes?
This is hike #91 and #92 from my Monterey Hikes list.
Cypress Grove Trail
Hiking distance: 0.8 mile round trip
Configuration: small loop with spur trails to coast
Elevation gain: 100 feet
Difficulty: easy
Exposure: open coastal bluffs and shaded forest
Sea Lion Point Trail
Hiking distance: 0.7 mile round trip
Configuration: two connected loops
Elevation gain: 100 feet
Difficulty: easy
Exposure: open coastal bluffs
Hiking time: 2 hours total
Hiking buddies: The kids (16mo, 3, 4 and 9yo)
Would you do it again? Yes but not frequently since it costs $10 to enter. (You can park on hwy 1 and walk in, but this doesn’t work when you have many young children with you.) *update: I paid $150 for the California State Parks annual pass, so now we can get in “free”.
What would you do differently? Take a child carrier for the Sea Lion Point Trail.
Looks so fun! Interesting about the poison oak. I remember sitting in Korean class with pink goop all over my arms, itching like crazy because I got poison oak while doing some orienteering. It’s the only place I’ve ever gotten poison oak.
Oh no! Where did you get it? It’s apparently in the forest at the end of our street too but luckily the kids have never gotten it.
I don’t remember. There was an advertisement somewhere in the barracks for this orienteering event and I went. I drove but I don’t remember where it was. The orienteering was so fun though.