Big Sur Hot Springs/ 2 night 3 days ( Limited Space )

Day 1

6.2 miles

1550 feet in elevation gain

We will meet at REI in Marina California at 8 a.m. and do a quick gear check and go over a few leave no trace etiquettes. From there we will caravan out to the trailhead. This drive is stunning as it is along one of California’s most iconic drives Highway 1. This drive takes about 1 hour. Believe me, it is worth it because the mountain-to-ocean views you are about to see are mind-blowing! We will meet at the parking lot which will cost $10 per calendar day for secured parking. Or if you choose you can park on HWY 1 for 72 hours without being ticketed. This first part of this is a steep incline for a couple, of miles before it gets much more manageable. Then we will make our way to a beautiful camp with amazing redwood trees and a crystal clear river. Here we will set up camp and make the best of the rest of our day relaxing and enjoying all Big Sur has to offer.

Day 2

3 miles

1200 feet in elevation gain

This is a nice hike with one good climb with some steep sections but will get us to the hot springs with amazing mountain and valley views to our north. We then will have a nice descent to the river where we will set up camp and soak in the magical hot springs. Relax and enjoy the rest of the day close to the river and the hot mineral water. ( FYI you may come across skinny dippers )

Day 3

9.8 miles

elevation gains 2631 feet

We will make breakfast and break camp at 8:30 am and get up the first initial climb to warm our muscles up. Today there are elevation gains but always seems a lot easier because your muscles feel renewed from the hot spring soak. and yes there is a lot of downhill. We will meander on this beautiful trail back down to our cars being there about 1-2 pm

Terms & Conditions: It is important that all S.S.B.A trip participants arrive in good enough condition to successfully complete and enjoy their backpacking vacation. Depending upon the trip and your body size, you’ll be carrying a backpack that weighs between 20 to 35 pounds at the beginning of a trip. Most modern backpacks are quite comfortable to carry, provided that they properly fit.

The vast majority of our clients do just fine, even on their first backpack trip. Nonetheless, backpacking is for active, not sedentary people, and in most situations, folks who are seriously overweight or who regularly smoke cigarettes are going to have a tough time and will likely be putting themselves and others in jeopardy.

We Require a doctor’s note for anyone that takes medication or over the age of 65. If you have any doubts about your physical capability to trek in the backcountry, or if you’re going on your first backpack trip, please see your physician. This is especially important for the elderly and for folks who have any known or suspected physical ailments that might compromise their safety (and group safety) on a backpack adventure.

S.S.B.A may contract with independent contractors to provide transportation, guide services, and/or all other related travel services. We assume no responsibility, however caused, for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service provided by an independent contractor or resulting directly from the following: - acts of God - detention - annoyance terrorism - thefts - pilferage - force majeure - civil disturbances government restrictions or regulations - strikes - delays and expenses arising from quarantine - failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled - discrepancies or change in transit or hotel services over which we have no control. We reserve the right to make reasonable changes in the itinerary where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of trip members. By advancing deposit to S.S.B.A, the depositor thereby agrees to be bound by the above terms and conditions.

Cancellation: If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due to S.S.B.A at the time (prior to departure) we receive notice of your cancellation.

60 or more days $0 of trip cost 60 to 30 days 50% of trip cost

30 to 15 days 75% of trip cost

0 to 15 days 100% of trip cost

To protect your investment, we recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance. Travel insurance Should you have to cancel your trip because of illness, injury or death to you or an immediate family member, this insurance protects all your deposits and payments for both air and trip costs. We will mail you the necessary forms in your trip packet. S.S.B.A recommends that you purchase this insurance at the time of sign-up to be covered for pre-existing conditions (certain restrictions apply). We strongly recommend the purchase of trip insurance. If we cancel a trip S.S.B.A reserves the right to cancel all or a portion of a trip for force majeure or any other circumstances beyond our control and, in the event of such cancellation, full or partial refunds, if any, will be at S.S.B.A sole discretion. We also reserve the right to cancel any trip if sign-up is inadequate to make the trip economically feasible for us to operate, and in this event, we give a full refund of the trip price. However, S.S.B.A is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the trip (e.g., non-refundable air tickets, visa fees if applicable, gear or medical expenses). Refunds S.S.B.A does not give any refunds for unused hotel rooms, meals, sightseeing trips or trek arrangements.

48-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy

Any reservation can be canceled within 48 hours of the initial booking, and we will grant you a full refund minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions. After 48 hours, our standard terms and conditions apply. To cancel, please email us at Summitbacking@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at 831-713-7399. This policy does not apply if the booked trip occurs within 96 hours of the initial booking.

Fire/Smoke Cancellation Policy

Fire/smoke cancellations are considered circumstances beyond our control. If your chosen travel insurance does not cover fire/smoke cancellations, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. If we cancel during your adventure with us, we will issue a non-refundable credit equal to the dollar amount associated with the number of days not used. In both cases, these credits will be lifetime/transferable but non-refundable.

Other Considerations

Departing From a Trip: Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued, regardless of the reason for departure. Costs associated with assisting a participant with evacuating from the wilderness will be passed on to the participant. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.

Minimum Participants: Our Guide Service multi-day trips have a two-person minimum. (Yoga trips have a three-person minimum.) Our Summer Camps have a four-person minimum. Should we fall short on these minimums, we will contact you 30 days before your scheduled start date with options that may include switching to another trip/date and/or a single-participant surcharge.

Infectious Illness Policy (including COVID): Any participant on any program/trip with any sign/symptom of a potential illness will not be able to participate, and no refund or credits will be given. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child before participating and contact us to cancel if any sign of illness is present. Health screenings can be expected in all youth programs.

Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is risky and can be made far worse by inclement weather. While we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. Lightning and rain can be deadly on exposed summits, and our experienced guides may have to call off a summit bid if weather conditions are unfavorable. You will not be allowed to summit using a Summit Backpacking Adventures permits should the experienced guide decide the conditions are not favorable.