Big Sur's Pfeiffer Canyon Trail Reopens
The Pfeiffer Canyon Trail in Big Sur has reopened to the public following extensive repairs from previous damage. The popular route, known for its scenic views of the coastline, had been impassable. Hikers can now access the trail again.
- The trail, officially named the Pfeiffer Falls Trail, has a history of significant closures, including a 13-year shutdown following the Basin Complex Fire in 2008. - A $2 million renovation project led to the trail's reopening in 2021, which included a new 70-foot-long pedestrian bridge over Pfeiffer Redwood Creek. - This recent closure was caused in January 2023 when a winter storm toppled a large redwood tree, which then destroyed a 15-foot section of the newly constructed pedestrian bridge. - The repair was a collaborative effort between California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League, and the California Conservation Corps. - The Pfeiffer Falls Trail is a major attraction within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which sees an estimated 750,000 visitors annually. - The 0.75-mile trail leads to a 60-foot waterfall and can be combined with the Valley View Trail for a 1.5-mile loop. - To complete the most recent repairs, crews had to haul bridge segments on foot, and a climber scaled a 90-foot redwood to set cables for leveraging the new pieces into place.
