Guide | ♦ | 1 Triplog | 0 Topics |
details | drive | permit | forecast | route |
stats |
photos | triplog | topics | location |
16 | 1 | 0 |
Tour Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park by JimmyLyding ![]() There is a large parking area just past the entry kiosk ($10.00 on Sunday, February 21, 2016) on the right. The hike starts on the trail that heads south across a small bridge just south of the restrooms in the parking area. Crossing the bridge leads one to a trail on the south side of the Big Sur River that leads to the Buzzard's Roost Trail before crossing another bridge near the lodge to the start of the steep trail up to Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View. There is also a trail on the north side of the river that serves the same purpose, but it has the added attraction of a wooden deck around some particularly large redwoods.
The left fork heads uphill to Valley View. There are actually several spots to venture a short distance to the left of the trail that provide nice views of the valley that the Big Sur River has carved in its inexorable path to the sea. The upper limit of the Valley View Trail is only about 100' and a third of a mile beyond the Pfeiffer Falls junction, and there's a small bench with a world-class view after a short and steep climb. Head back down the Valley View Trail to the bridge near the lodge, and cross to the south to the Buzzard's Roost Trail. This is about 3 miles into the trip. The BR Trail first heads west to a junction with going straight leading to the group camp, but you'll head uphill to the left. This steep portion travels through a deep forest of bay and redwood until reaching a junction with a 1.6 mile loop up to Buzzard's Roost. Go either way as the trail switch-backs up to the top of a ridge with a small building on top of it. There are nice views in all directions with Manuel Peak and the Big Sur River gorge to the east and the Pacific Ocean 950' down to the west. Much of the vegetation around the summit has obviously been scorched by wildfire, and I'd guess that lightning is the likely suspect. Take the other leg of the Buzzard's Roost loop back to the junction and your return to the river. Go right at the river back to the parking lots back to the beginning. Check out the Official Route and Triplog. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community. |