Ticks Ruined My First Backpacking Trip of the Season

Trail: Lion's Den via Salmon Creek Trail
Distance: 14.1-mile loop
Elevation: 3,986 ft.
Location: Silver Peak Wilderness, CA
Permits: A California campfire permit is required for stove use.
Trip Date: February 2024

The California central coast is a place I like to roam when there’s too much snow for my enjoyment in the Sierra. I try to take an annual trip to Big Sur for backpacking in the spring when the creeks are flowing and the weather is nice. I was looking forward to a new trail, one I hadn’t hiked before since I was used to returning to the same few trails year after year.

I opted for a trail with creeks, ocean views, and a butt-kicker of a challenge. Lion’s Den can be reached hiking a 14-mile loop on the Salmon Creek trail. My morning started off hiking this loop in the OPPOSITE direction I had originally planned, stopping me in my tracks, and having to backtrack 1-mile to where I originally planned to start the loop. My journey already started a little later than I wanted, now pushing it even further back.

The trail was exposed, and overgrown, and the day was hot- but once you reach the ocean views it was a great reminder as to why I chose this specific trail. I had 9 miles to Lion’s Den where I planned to camp for the night. Stopping at mile 4 for a lunch break, I decided to take off my sun shirt and let it dry (it was soaked with sweat). I enjoyed some snacks, views, and a nice water break before continuing on my journey.

I made it approximately 1-mile after lunch before noticing a tick on my leggings. Immediately, I freaked out and flicked it off my leg. Did they get on me when I sat down for lunch? Took off my shirt and sat in on the ground? With the trail being overgrown, I could only imagine how long I had been hiking through the ticks. I tried not to think about it but kept coming across more- on ME. Not feeling safe to drop my gear to check if there were any more, I stood in frustration. I cried. For I knew nothing about ticks, how to prevent them, or how to treat myself had I gotten bit. All I knew was that they kill people, and I knew nothing about them for them to not kill me.

I was 5-miles into my hike before calling quits.

With 4-miles left to go, I decided pushing forward was not in my best interest. Not knowing how the campsite would be, if there were more ticks at camp, I bailed. I cried, and I bailed. I was probably being a little dramatic, but I didn’t want to continue. I didn’t want to continue hiking knowing there were active ticks on this trail.

So, I backtracked. I remembered this site I passed when having lunch, and it was just as epic as Lion’s Den. I wouldn’t necessarily have to backtrack to the car, I still was able to camp out overnight with epic ocean views- exactly what I signed up for.

Calling quits early in the afternoon, gave me a lot of time to hang out at camp. It was nice. It was different. Normally, I’m hiking into camp just as the sun is setting leaving no time to “hang out”- so this was a treat. Dare I say plan B was almost too good? I had absolutely no complaints.

Enjoyed a nice ramen dinner back at the lunch spot, away from camp- but not too far. The clouds rolled in just as the sun was setting, and around 5 AM the rain started. I was up at 6:30 AM hopeful for a sunrise that never came. Packed up, headed back in the direction in which I originally came, and made some coffee when I got back to my car for a little hike to Salmon Creek Falls.

Explore Big Sur, California

I counted 11 ticks on me that day. Thankfully, none the next morning, but maybe the rain had something to do with that. 11 TICKS. When I got home, I did some research cause I was not going to let ticks ruin another trip of mine, ever.

Here’s a few things I learned in my research: